He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail. — 1 Samuel 2:9

"by his own strength shall no man prevail". David knew this facing goliath with a sling, and the horse is a vain hope for salvation. Paul learned it most deeply: "my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness". Your strength fails. His doesn't.

It was good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes. — Psalm 119:71

Even Christ learned obedience through what he suffered. Suffering isn't meaningless — it works for us an eternal weight of glory. God tests us like silver in the fire and humbles us so that we learn we live by every word from his mouth.

I loathe my life! I would not live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are but a breath. — Job 7:16

"I would not live forever". When suffering presses, heaven looks better. The psalmist longed to fly away and be at rest. Paul groaned for his heavenly dwelling and said to depart and be with Christ is far better. But while we wait, we look to Jesus who endured the cross for the joy set before him, and he gives us peace in the waiting.

But where can wisdom be found, and where does understanding dwell? — Job 28:12

"where can wisdom be found?". James gives the answer: if any of you lacks wisdom, ask God who gives generously. Trust the Lord with all your heart, don't lean on your own understanding. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and God gives wisdom to the humble. Ask in faith — he won't turn you away.

let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. — Hebrews 10:22

"our bodies washed with pure water" — the external points to the internal. The tabernacle laver foreshadowed our cleansing in Christ. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and you present it as a living sacrifice. Nothing unclean enters God's presence, and Christ has made you clean so that in your flesh you will see God.

However, if I were you, I would appeal to God and lay my cause before Him— — Job 5:8

"I would appeal to God and lay my cause before Him". Nothing is too hard for the Lord, so we cast all our anxiety on him because he cares for us. Hezekiah spread sennacherib's letter before the Lord, and God answered before he finished praying. The prayer of a righteous person has great power.

let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. — Hebrews 10:22

Having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience — that's what Christ's blood does. The old covenant sacrifices could only cleanse the flesh externally, but Christ entered the holy place once for all. His blood speaks a better word than abel's, and in him we have redemption and forgiveness according to the riches of his grace. Your conscience can be clean because his work is finished.

You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. — 1 John 2:20

Every believer has an anointing from the holy one. You don't need a secret handshake — the spirit himself teaches you. Jesus was anointed with the spirit and power, and from his fullness we've received grace upon grace. The spirit guides you into all truth. You know because he's made you know.

For behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. — Isaiah 65:17

"I will create new heavens and a new earth". That's the anchor of our hope — the old creation groans, but God is making all things new. Peter calls us to holy living as we wait for that day. Every tear is wiped away, death is no more, and God himself dwells with his people.

Each will be like a shelter from the wind, a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in a dry land, like the shadow of a great rock in an arid land. — Isaiah 32:2

That man is Jesus Christ, who took on flesh, was struck as the shepherd, yet is one with the Father. He's our refuge and fortress, our shade and keeper, the rock higher than we are. Run to him.