October 9, 2019 -- Psalm 119:31 -- Clinging to the LORD
/I cling to your testimonies, O LORD,
let me not be put to shame!
Psalm 119:31 English Standard Version
In a recent radio broadcast I heard noted apologist and public speaker Ravi Zacharias say he was prepared for the vitriol and shots fired against him and his ministry aimed at him from non-Christians. What he was not prepared for was to be shot in the back by Christians. The very ones who should be supportive and understanding can sometimes we our harshest critics and the ones who seek to shame us.
The psalmist has experienced much ridicule and suffering for his confident faith in the Living God; he has suffered for holding tightly in obedience to the testimonies of the LORD (we can see that in many verses: 22, 23 are some examples). He desires not to be put to shame—his urgent prayer is that when things are good and when things are very difficult he will be consistent in his walk with God.
What is the most difficult time for obedience for you? Is it when everything is going well that you wrestle to remain obedient to Christ, the Captain of our Salvation? Or is it when you suffer betrayal at the hands of those who you thought were fellow believers that you find it almost impossible to remain in the peace won for us in Christ our King? When we allow people or circumstances, our feelings or our thoughts to drag us away from our faithful adherence to the commands of God we are acting in ways that bring shame to us and by association dishonour His Name.
The more I study this psalm, the more I receive it as a prayer in which the psalmist is asking God the Lawgiver to direct him to be loyal in his service. Jesus, the very Son of God, taught us that we must forgive a brother who sins against us, forgiving as often as seventy-times seven if that is how often the brother confesses his sins and seeks forgiveness. How much more gracious, how much greater is the love of God which is demonstrated to us in Jesus our Saviour?! As often as we see we have acted shamefully, as often as we confess our waywardness, He will forgive us and cleanse us from all our wrong-doing. More than this even, He will set our feet back on the pathway of clear-conscience obedience so that we may be found clinging to His testimonies. And the mercy of our Kind Father moves us to humbly thank Him and praise Him in ever greater choruses of wonder and blessing and renewed acts of obedience.
Covenant-Keeping God, Faithful and True, Who is like You? Because of Jesus’ great sacrifice poured out on the cross, You forgive the sins of Your people . You restore to us the joy of our salvation. You give us renewed strength for life and holy service through the powerful presence of Your Spirit within us. Mighty Sovereign we desire to cling to You and Your testimonies so strengthen Your grip of grace on us and strengthen our desire for and our ability to obey all You command. Amen.
