“They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,” let Israel say; “they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me. Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long. But the Lord is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”
—Psalm 129:1-4 NIV

Psalm 129 opens with these words: “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth.”

On this pilgrimage we call life, we will face many hardships. There is no way around it.

But the song doesn’t end there. The chorus continues: “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me.”

Take a moment to remember the times when God delivered you.

Remember the times when he came through for you.

God’s past faithfulness should give us confidence when we face trials on the pilgrim road.

Take heart today.

Here is a simple prayer to carry with you today:

Inhale: They have oppressed me,
Exhale: But they have not gained the victory.