November 29, 2019 -- Psalm 119:62 -- Midnight Praises

At midnight I rise to praise you,

because of your righteous rules.

Psalm 119:62 English Standard Version

There are many reasons a person will rise at midnight—it may be to empty the bladder, or to grab a snack. Perhaps someone is wrestling with frustrations at work and her mind cannot shut off. Maybe it is bitterness against someone who seems to have sinned against you and now seems to be living without any consequences for those actions.

The psalmist rises at midnight for a completely different reason. The writer of this psalm rises to give praise and thanks to the God of Justice. He intentionally worships the King of Heaven. And the reasons for this worship are slightly obscured in our translation. A more literal translation of the second phrase would read: “because of your righteous judgments”.

When the God Who Keeps His Promises renders His judgment a man is determined to be guilty or innocent. That is the righteous judgment of the LORD. So, King David rises at midnight to praise the LORD Who pronounces guilt or innocence. This frees David up to praise God. If anyone has acted unjustly against David, it is the LORD Who will vindicate David. The system of sacrifices which David lived under pointed to Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament a lamb was slaughtered—because only blood and death could wipe away sins. Even so, the lambs and other sacrifices were continually made because these did not take away the guilt and sin of a man, but they pointed to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who would come, Who takes away the sin of the world.

When David rose at midnight and prayed for the ones who abused him or hated him—he prayed on the basis of God’s righteous judgment. If such an enemy confessed his sins, and repented, and obeyed the LORD of the Glory, then David would be praising God because an enemy has come to know the same mercy and kindness he himself has found. That enemy has turned from his hostility and has become an ally in serving God.

If an enemy has not repented and still breathes out violence against David, even in that circumstance David praises God because the judgments of God mean this enemy will be punished with greater severity than David could ever mete out. I wonder, would this mean when David rose and prayed, he’d ask for God’s mercy even on his enemy because David himself knew what it was to suffer punishment at the hands of God’s discipline?

LORD Jesus we rejoice in You. We rise and bless Your Name. What David only dimly perceived in the system of sacrifices, we know in fullest measure—in Jesus Christ our sins are fully paid for and we are set free. Father in heaven, God of Justice—we pray for those who are racing headlong to hell in their wickedness and rebellion. Direct them by Your Word, Your Spirit and the testimony of believers—use even me!—to direct them on the path of humble confession and repentance. Turn such from being enemies of the cross of Christ to those who find hope and help under its shadow. Choirs and churches, soloists and orchestras this Christmas season are declaring the glory of Jesus, Who has made His blessings flow far as the curse is found. We rise at midnight and praise You, Oh God. We declare Your Sovereign goodness in the light of day. We long for the glorious return of Jesus when sin will be utterly vanquished, death itself hurled to hell defeated. Blessed are You, Triune God forever and ever. Amen.

November 28, 2019 -- Psalm 119:61 -- Sin, Rescue and Entanglements

Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,

I do not forget your law.

Psalm 119:61 English Standard Version

That word “cords” can mean noose. When a friend struggling in sin the first thing many want to do is help out. Many people have the natural impulse to rescue those who are in serious trouble. What must first happen is making an assessment to determine the exact danger that person is in and what threats or impediments there would for any rescue effort. For example, if a man is drowning, are there hazards in the water which are just below the surface? Such hazards might be pulling the drowning man downwards and they could impede any rescue that is not properly conducted. In fact, the rescuer might get entangled and need rescue as well. If a woman is trapped in a car after a car accident, any rescuer would have to ask: are there shards of glass here that might harm me as I help? Is there leaking gas that can ignite? Any rescue would have to take account of the potential threat or danger.

When the sins of others require urgent attention, it is altogether too easy for the Christian to get bound up and ensnared in those sins even during the attempt to help another person out. A former alcoholic seeking to help a struggling alcoholic may face temptations that are overwhelming. A man helping a friend confess adultery may find himself so caught up in the lies and deceptions and immorality of his friend’s behavior that he begins to allow his own thoughts to rehearse the failings of his spouse and the great qualities of a co-worker.

A reader might be thinking: ah but I am secure. I have achieved great victories. Christ is the One Who Helps me. Thanks be to God! It is in Him alone any of us can find victory However there is an alarm sounding warning in this brief text today! Sin breeds sin. Sin is contagious. Jude 1:23 reminds us to hate even the clothing of those stained by sin and to be beware as you snatch others from the fire, lest you yourself get burned, or singed, or the smell of the smoke lingers on and the temptations to sin are sparked.

What halts the slide into sin of the friend seeking to help another? It is the Law of God. In verse 61 the word for law is the Hebrew word: “Torah”. For a Jewish man or woman the Torah refers to the first five books of the Old Testament. These are “the books of the law”. They guide believers in the right path. They hold up the standards of God the Holy and Just. These books remind us that our lives are measured not against those who are good or against those who are worse off than we are. We are called to the standard of complete holiness—we are to be holy as the LORD Almighty is Holy. When our eyes are fixed on Him and our hearts are moved to faithful obedience to His Torah—the direction He gives for our lives—then we are in a position to evaluate the potential dangers and pitfalls in helping others out. Then, in the light of His Word and His Will we can see the way in which any attempt to help others might have hazards and pitfalls and present dangers. In making this evaluation one can be prepared to fully help and remain fully devoted to the glory of God, our portion and our joy.

Jesus, Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world—blessing and honour, praise and glory belong to You! Thank You for our own rescue story—You love that reached out and snatched us from sin and burning shame. Spirit of Wisdom direct us in the love of Christ and in His commandments so that we can help and bless others. Great and Glorious Father in heaven, You sent Jesus to seek and save the lost—let His saving work continue to be carried out by our words and life, as we are carried along by Your Spirit. Thank You that You have never given up on us, that You Who began a good in us will see it to completion! Great and merciful are You, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Amen.

November 27, 2019 -- Psalm 119:60 -- Hastening to happy obedience

I hasten and do not delay

to keep your commandments.

Psalm 119:60 English Standard Version

Steven Lawson in his fine exposition of this verse noted: delayed obedience is no obedience. I like that. And to be honest, I chaff under that. There are times I know the will of God and begin to hem and haw about being fully obedient to Him. If we are dragging our feet and protesting against obedience to God we are forgetting the fact that the LORD is our portion—that is the first verse of this stanza called: “Heth”.

In the Old Testament the portion meant inheritance. The tribe of the Levites did not receive an inheritance in the Promised Land because the LORD Himself would be their portion. He would provide for them. He would ensure their safety. For us in Christ, we have Him as our portion. He provides for us salvation. He gives us life. He gives us His Spirit. He gives us a future. All things, in fact, work together for good for those who are in Christ Jesus. Therefore, since my life is wholly bound up in His, when He commands obedience is required and is to be immediate.

Hebrew (the original language of this Psalm) does not have exclamation marks, so a writer will show emphasis when he repeats a concept. It is called intensification. The writer piles up two verbs to indicate keeping the commandments is his priority. In the Hebrew language a secondary meaning of “hasten” is “joy”. I wonder if that is significant? Would that mean his quick obedience is crowned with joy in service to the King? (That was a rhetorical question which is answered in a strong affirmative—”Yes, to the LORD!).

The other repetition, which we might overlook because we are taking this entire Psalm one verse at a time is the repetition of the vow: “I promise to keep”. In the first verse of this stanza (verse 57) the writer promised to keep the words of the Living God and here he promises to keep His commandments. What the writer is vowing to do is set a guard over his mind and his eyes, over his heart and over his actions to make sure all are in compliance with what God requires.

Seems like a lot of work, doesn’t it—this constant self-examination for compliance in the word and work of God? Let me remind you that we are always working hard—either in rebellion against God or in submission to Him. Those who desire to be submitted to Him must be submitted in word and in action. That takes dedicated work and confession—repenting of sin and turning to the Living God.

Finally, the beginning of the Psalm celebrates the fact that God our Father blesses those who walk in His ways. He has saved us so that to walk in obedience to Him is for us the place of joy and blessedness. And the Psalm ends with a very plaintive cry “I have gone astray like a lost sheep”. At verse 176, even after all the vows of submission and promises to be obedient, the writer realizes how prone he still is to wandering. Thanks be to God that He Himself will shepherd His flock.

O come O Wisdom from on High to show us the paths of knowledge and teach us to go in them rejoicing. As Christmas approaches, we realize how deeply You love us. We understand more fully the lengths to which You have gone, Eternal God of Glory, in order to secure our salvation. In view of all Your wondrous blessings we, along with the psalmist, promise to keep your commandments. In our words and in our lives be glorified, O King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Amen.

November 25, 2019 -- Psalm 119:59 -- Repentance

When I think on your ways,

I turn my feet to your testimonies.

Psalm 119:59 English Standard Version

At the start of this stanza the psalmist promised: “The LORD is my portion, I promise to keep your words.” In order to follow through on that commitment, the psalmist is examining his life in light of the word. The Scriptures are called “the ways”. Think of the Word of God as the highway. Now, our obedience is a car moving along at 110km per hour (here in New Brunswick, where I live, the speed limit is 110 on the main highway). If you are going that fast, even a slight turning of the steering wheel will result in catastrophe. Even a mere one or two degrees off centre will mean the driver winds up in the ditch, or worse, smashing into other moving vehicles.

The psalmist is walking along—and examining the will of God and his own direction—he realized he needed a huge course correction. He was going the wrong way. He remembered his promise so he realized he needed to turn his feet around and head in a different direction. He needed to repent. “Repentance is a change of mind followed by a willful change in behavior Literally, repentance means to turn around and go the other way. There must be a turning “from” sinful behavior “to” godly behavior.” Overcomers Recovery Support, Day 13, page 32

The Testimony. In Exodus the two stone tablets upon which the LORD had engraved the Ten Commandments are called “the two tablets of the Testimony”. These are the revealed will of God for His people. They are placed in the Ark of the Testimony. In the New Testament, after Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension to the Father’s right hand in glory, the Holy Spirit was poured out on believers. Those who follow Jesus now have the Testimony of God written on their hearts. As believers read the Word of the Living God the Spirit of God awakens their conscience and gives them the warning when they are going astray—by the way, “warning sign” is another use of the original Old Testament Hebrew word “Testimony”.

What tremendous loving-kindness there is found in God alone—Who in Exodus 33 declares of Himself: “The LORD. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy” (Exodus 33:19). This too is the Testimony of the LORD. He has compassion on wayward sinners who, recognizing their sin and error, turn from their wicked ways and call to Him for mercy.

As the Christmas season draws near once again, carols playing and homes brightly lit up, and decorations all through homes and streets, let each of these displays be for you a clarion call: warning bells and alarms. Let these shake you from your waywardness. Come back to the ways of the LORD. For those who are already obediently walking in ways of the LORD, warmly welcome prodigal sons and daughters who are repenting. Make a place next to you in the pew. Open up your home and bless them.

O come Emmanuel, Key of David, and open wide our heavenly home. Make safe for us the heavenward road and bar the way to death’s abode. Thank You, Spirit of Peace, for the rich testimony of the Word. Thank You Spirit of Truth, for the mercy of God shown to us in Jesus Christ—the LORD to Whom Your presence in us bears witness. In the Christmas season, call sinners to repentance. All through these weeks, let wayward believers also be restored to right paths. Let our feet walk in the joy-filled way of salvation until, Everlasting Father, we see You face to face. Amen.

November 24, 2019 -- Psalm 119:58 -- Helped to Whole-heartedness

I entreat your favor with all my heart;

be gracious to me according to your promise.

Psalm 119:58 English Standard Version

The background to the word “entreat” is that one is weak and aware of his need. Previously the writer had vowed to keep the words of the LORD—the God Who Keeps Covenant Faithfulness. In order to do, in order to have the strength to and the desire for the LORD, he needs the LORD’s help. Notice the phrase “with all my heart”—it is a phrase that is repeated in Psalm 119 various times and in various ways.

Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,

who seek him with their whole heart verse 2

With my whole heart I seek you,

let me not wander from your commandments! verse 10

This blessing has fallen on me,

that I have kept your precepts. verse 56

Verse 56 is a reference back to verses 2 and 10, noting that God, the Rewarder of His people, pours out His blessing on those who whole-heartedly follow Him.

If you are looking at your life and going, there is no way I am “whole-heartedly” following Him, and you grieve over that, take courage, God will be gracious to you according to His promise. Every victory is the LORD’s. When we cry out to Him. When we confess our desire to be faithful. When we admit our inability to be faithful—He answers. Then, as we see our zeal for God renewed, the credit for this belongs to God alone. He has given the desire and God the Gracious has given the power so that our souls may delight in Him. There is no room for pride. There is no room for us to say, “Look at all I am doing!” Instead, our whole heart, soul, mind and strength praise God and bless Him for giving the grace we asked for so that we can keep His words and find our highest joy in Him.

O come to us Emmanuel, You Who are the LORD of Might, and pour on our dry and weary souls the refreshment of Living Water. O come to us, Emmanuel, God with us, so that our whole heart, soul, mind and strength will be employed in the service of blessing Your Name. Spirit of Jesus, we confess we may only be half-hearted in this prayer, sort of seeking Your help, even so the Word promises that the bruised reed of faith and the weakest murmurings for change You will not despise. Therefore wash into us—every lonely, longing place fill to overflowing with the waters of salvation so that we will bring joyful service and whole-hearted praise to God our Father. Amen.

November 23, 2019 -- Psalm 119:57 -- Vowing to be fed

The LORD is my portion;

I promise to keep your words.

Psalm 119:57 English Standard Version

Recently I have been re-reading an excellent book on discipleship: The Lost Art of Disciple-Making. This illustration totally grabbed me:

We were in the middle of orange country when we stopped for the night at a motel. The next morning we went down to the restaurant for breakfast and I ordered orange juice with my eggs.

The waitress came back shortly with some sad news. “Sir,” she said, “I can’t bring you any orange juice. Our machine is broken.”

At first I sat dumbfounded. I knew we were surrounded by millions of oranges and I knew there were oranges in the kitchen (they used orange slices as a garnish on the plates they served). But now that I wanted a glass of orange juice, I could not have it.

I began to reflect on the situation. What was the problem? No orange juice? Hardly. We were in the middle of thousands of gallons of orange juice. The problem was that she had become so dependent on the machine that when it broke down she couldn’t serve a glass of orange juice.

Christians are like that sometimes. They may be surrounded by Bibles in their homes, but if something should happen to the pastor or church so that there was no Sunday morning preaching service, they would go without their spiritual food. They would have no nourishment for their souls. If someone is not available to break open the Word of God and feed them, they would go hungry.

LeRoy Eims The Lost Art of Disciple-Making, page 53

David named the LORD his portion. He would drink deeply from the wells of salvation. David named the LORD his portion—he would feed his soul on the goodness of the LORD and he made that his vow. We are, as Eims noted, so fortunate as to be surrounded by so many bibles, and translations and opportunities to be fed wonderful spiritual food—is that your vow and your decision today? Will you call the LORD your portion?

O come, O come Emmanuel and fill our hearts and minds with the knowledge of our glorious Father in heaven. O come, Savior of all mankind, send out Your Spirit to us so that we will rejoice as we think of all the extravagant riches given us in the Word. Mighty God, forgive us for our scant attention to all that is holy and true and our willingness to chew the straw and stubble of this world’s offerings. O come, our Wisdom from on High that our food and drink is to do the will of our Father in heaven. In so doing may our lives and our loves conform to You, Jesus, our soul’s desire. Amen.

November 20, 2019 -- Psalm 119:56 -- Blessings poured out

This blessing has often fallen on me,

that I have kept your precepts.

Psalm 119:56 English Standard Version

It has been over fifty verses since the writer of this Psalm has noted the blessing of the LORD falling on him. At verses 1 & 2 he’d noted:

Blessed are those whose way is blameless,

who walk in the law of the LORD!

Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,

who seek him with their whole heart.

Those who walk in the way of the LORD, are the people who walk in blessedness. Our stanza, Zayin, the seventh stanza, has recounted times of trouble and affliction for the writer of this Psalm—but he did not waver. In the days of trouble and sleepless nights, he kept the rules of God ever before him. He did not turn aside from the judgments of the Living God.

He can look back now and declare the blessing of God has fallen on him. He can see God’s goodness. He has been saved by the undeserved grace of God—it was nothing he’d earned, it was not that the Mighty One of Heaven owed him a thing. Instead, though he was wretched and sinful, God the Merciful called David from darkness into His wonderful light.

Now that David had faced incredible trial and hardships and had stayed true to his commitment to the Living God he recognized how powerfully God has sustained him. Blessings—even more blessings than he’d anticipated—are flowing over his life. And it reaffirmed his commitment and deepened his vow to keep the precepts of his God. “To keep the precepts” means he will set a watch over his heart—a sentry that will warn him of any impending trouble so that he will not just fall into sin, nor will sin like a stealthy army overtake him; rather, he will remain pure and dedicated to God Who remembers him.

Thank You, God our Father, for the rich and glorious blessing of Jesus Christ! Thank You Jesus, for the powerful gift of Your Spirit Who strengthens us to walk in Your will and Your ways. With the psalmist we praise You, O God, for all the blessings that have fallen on us, in times of joy and times of sorrow. Rich blessings surrounded us in every moment of our walk with You—with awe we thank You and rededicate ourselves to You. Amen.

November 19, 2019 -- Psalm 119:55 -- Preparing for Night-time Praises

I remember your name in the night, O LORD,

and keep your law.

Psalm 119:55 English Standard Version

How often is the night time darkness used as a cover for evil?! No doubt many people cut loose in the night time hours and do things they would be ashamed of in the daylight. In sharp contrast to this, King David is vowing to keep His heart pure. He remembers, calls to mind, the Name of the LORD, in the night time hours. He reflects on the glory of God His King. David gives to the LORD the night watches so that his heart will not be inclined to evil.

The Law of the LORD begins with this great truth: we are to have no other god, nor worship any idol. David keeps his mind occupied with the law of the LORD and so his mind and his body are kept pure. It is easy to let the mind wander at night: thinking of those who have offended me, those who owe me, those with whom I am angry. In short, the night time can be used to rehearse evil thoughts and intentions. All of these thoughts become sacrifices of time to the idol of self. God the Glorious is not in front and centre seated on the throne of our hearts when we spend our times occupied with such thoughts.

David chose to use the times of night-time wakefulness to remember the LORD and know the LORD as His delight. How that changes the night. It becomes a time of intimacy. A time to meditate on the law of God and grow in delight of and appreciation for that law, which is the rule guiding our grateful living.

How well have you prepared for wakefulness in your night times? Perhaps you just take up the remote and flick through channels. Maybe you scan websites that lead you to dark and forbidding places? Maybe you live by the light of fridge thinking: “Hmm, what can I snack on?” My point is this: even though many of us regularly experience periods of wakefulness, we are often surprisingly unprepared for these wakeful times of the night. Here are some suggestions of what to do instead:

-Place a bible next to your bed, perhaps one that is a different translation than you normally use, so that your mind has to focus on what you are reading, and pray about whatever the Spirit is showing you;

-Recite the passages of Scripture you have memorized over the last little while, and pray;

-If that last suggestion is foreign to you, start memorizing Scripture and draw near to God, and pray these passages;

-Read the Law of God: Exodus 20:1-17; or Psalm 119 one or two stanzas; or Ephesians 5:3-20 (or whatever other passage the LORD places on your heart) and pray that the Spirit of God will keep you in the pathways of righteousness for the sake of the Name of Jesus.

LORD of Glory, to Whom we raise our songs of praise in the watches of the night and bless during the brilliance of the day-light hours offering our hymns of worship—keep us in the pathway of Your law. Let the sacrifice of Jesus and His salvation direct all our living. We confess how easily we stumble back to old patterns of sin and unfaithfulness, therefore, give us Your Spirit in ever greater measure so that our hearts, minds, souls and strength are fully put into Your service. Amen.

November 17, 2019 -- Psalm 119:54 -- Songs of Salvation

Your statutes have been my songs

in the house of my sojourning.

Psalm 119:54 ESV

Statutes describe something that is due to the LORD our God. Since He created us, and He sustains us from conception to the end of our lives carrying us in His steadfast love (as Isaiah 46:3-4 richly notes), it is right and absolutely fitting for us to give Him our complete allegiance.

In Isaiah 12 we read:

“Behold, God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid;
for the Lord God is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2

We sing and hymn our love to our Savior—we have received His statutes because we are those who have also received His salvation full and free. We sing as those set free from mountains of debt and piles of IOU’s that we could never, into all eternity, repay. Christ stood in our stead. By His stripes we are healed! Sin no longer has a claim on us. No wonder we sing!

King David sings such salvation songs in the house of sojourning—that is pilgrimage. This life is not all there is. This life is a vapour, a passing shadow, while beyond this life eternity yawns, opening up ages stretching through times and aeons immeasurable. Those who know the Deliverer, delighting in Him today, will find their permanent home in His presence. They live in such joy as cannot even be described here. Those who cursed, ignoring His glorious and patient presence will spend untold and uncountable ages in torment in hell. Therefore Christians sing with such zeal—we are those who are saved, rescued, knowing we’d dangled over the gaping maw of hell’s fire and now are set free.

If this day you are curious—find a church. More to the point: find a Christian friend whose faith-walk you admire and go to church and learn of Him Who is worthy of all service and worthy of all your songs. Soon it will be Christmas and there will be carols and songs of joy and wonder, worship and hallelujahs. If you’d like to understand what all the praise is about, investigate Who Jesus really is. You will never be the same and you’ll sing songs of wonder and praise in this house of your sojourning.

With saints and singers through the ages we hymn our praise with anticipation as we sing: “O Come, O Come Immanuel.” God with us, let the glory of Jesus’ salvation break over our minds and saturate our understanding. God with us, help us to see You not as is so often portrayed, You as an angry God—but help us to see you as the Father Who in lasting love and mercy sent the Savior to rescue prodigal sons and daughters. God with us, thank You for the powerful presence of Your Spirit Who directs us in Your forgiveness and strengthen us in thankful living, assured that Your love will never leave us. *O Come, O King of Nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind. Bid all our sad divisions cease and be Yourself our King of Peace. Amen.

*quotation is from 12th century carol “O Come, O Come, Immanuel” stanza 7

November 15, 2019 - - Psalm 119:53 - - Indignation and Healing

Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,

who forsake your law.

Psalm 119:53 English Standard Version

What a graphic beginning to this verse—raging heat—like that which a high fever produces—has gripped the psalmist. He sees the wicked—that word carries the connotation of violence and criminality—who leave, abandon—the Law of the LORD. In forsaking the Law, those who are wicked intentionally set it aside for the purpose of adultery, and serving gods of their own making—which is idolatry. That very law, which our psalmist loves, is the Torah. The Torah was given for these purposes:

i) the instruction of mankind;

ii) the good governance of society under the mighty rule of the Sovereign of Heaven;

iii) as a teacher of sin that directs us to Jesus Christ;

iv) as the means of directing our thanksgiving and praise to our Deliverer for His great salvation.

Here is the King of Israel, the one who is called to promulgate laws (write laws and put them into effect) who knows himself to be the first one subject to the Law of the Living God. He will be a living witness to the goodness of the Torah—the Law of God and the right direction it sets for all our living.

Part of the Zayin stanza, where our verse is located, we read: “This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life” Psalm 119:50. We are instructed by this. The writer is not stopping at horror and white-hot indignation. He will continue to walk in the pathways of the Law of the LORD. His life will be an example for others. His obedience will prick the conscience of the people around him. The relief from the raging fever of indignation that had gripped him is knowing what God has decreed is right and living as a light and witness to His good and perfect Law. In a world racing after depravity, the writer’s response is obedience to the Sovereign of Heaven in whom is hope, joy, and healing.

LORD of Hosts, it is altogether too easy to stop at horror and indignation at all the steaming miasma of wickedness rising up all around. We confess, God of Life and Hope, that there are times we have raged against those whose vile deeds and laws are polluting our land—and we have stopped at these fevers of rage, rather than squaring our shoulders and walking the path of obedience, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of all true believing. May our lives bring You praise. Let our devotion to You and Your laws be the powerful testimony that more than ever our great land needs now. High King of Heaven, let Your Spirit’s strength help us to fix our eyes on Jesus and our living obedience to Him cause others to leave their intentional wickedness and find healing in Christ alone. Amen

November 13, 2019 -- Psalm 119:52 -- Remember and Act

When I think of your rules from of old,

I take comfort, O LORD.

Psalm 119:52 English Standard Version

This stanza of Psalm 119 has each verse beginning with the Hebrew letter “zayin”. In the Hebrew the first word of our verse today is “zakar” which means to remember, to call to mind. It likely best known in its use in the Ten Commandments. The fourth commandment is: “Remember the Sabbath Day”. I mention this because in the Hebrew culture to remember is to act upon that which is remembered. So King David is calling to mind the judgments of the LORD and as he remembers them he is acting on them. He would have been putting into practice the things remembered from of old.

The word “rules” can be rendered “judgments”. The LORD has decreed how His people should live. His people are those who have been rescued by His love, brought from slavery to sin and freed so that they can walk in the wide places of obedience to Him Who Keeps Covenant Forever.

In contrast those are under the curse of God the Judge, show by their words and actions that they hate the LORD of Heaven and Earth. There is no neutral ground. People either serve the Holy One or they are in rebellion against Him. The judgment of the God of Glory is upon them who rebel and they will be cast into the fires of hell. For Christians the Ten Commandments are rules of holy living. For those who hate God their Maker, the Ten Commandments are standard by which He will show them how much they hated Him.

These rules are “from of old”. It is interesting that this word “old” has the sense of looking backwards as well as forwards. These ancient rules still stand because the God Who made covenant promises does not change. His laws and judgments, His rules and His standards have not changed, nor will they change. What a comfort that is for the children of the Heavenly Father who are living in a world of upheaval and chaos. What is considered “okay” yesterday is vilified today. We live in a world where evil is called good and good is called evil. David experienced it then; we experience it now. Rather than trying to pour ourselves into the latest “thing” or the newest standard which even as it is being decreed will morph into something else, Christians conform to the image and likeness of Jesus Christ—in Whom we have our lasting consolation.

Beloved in the LORD remember the love of God, poured out to us in Jesus Christ. Remember that Jesus paid it all and we are freed from slavery to sin and our feet are set on the path of life. Remember and keep the commandments of God by the power of the Spirit of God who lives within you. You will see your sins and confess them and even as you are confessing them you will know they have been punished upon the body of Jesus at the cross. Therefore Jesus becomes for you, all the more precious, all the greater in worth and glory, He is the King Who has conquered sin and Who has conquered our hearts.

Now blessed be Your Glorious Name, LORD of Eternity. Your works from of old stand the test of time. Your rules and judgments are right and true now and always. In our lives, LORD, be glorified. Let the words of our lips and the actions of our hands bring You honour and praise. Spirit of all Comfort, as we yield our thoughts and words, hearts and hands to You, may our lives bring praise and renown to Jesus Christ—our Redeemer and our King. Amen.

November 12, 2019 -- Psalm 119:51 -- Mocked but unbowed

The insolent utterly deride me,

but I do not turn from your law.

Psalm 119:51 English Standard Version

The insolent are those who are rude, arrogant, proud, those who show no respect. It is intriguing that the writer has those in his life who are insolent—he is, after all, King David. He has conquered so many of the nations around him. He has been victorious in battle. Who would dare deride him? To deride is to mock, dismiss, or express contempt for someone. Think about the life of David—it was those who were closest to him who mocked him, belittled him and rose up against him.

When David was a young man, his own brothers called him a little kid and told him to keep quiet when David was questioning why Goliath was allowed to blaspheme the High King of Heaven. When Samuel came to anoint the next king of Israel, Jesse, David’s dad, didn’t even think to call in this son from herding the sheep. Jesse paraded all of David’s older brothers in front of Samuel, but Samuel had to ask “Isn’t there another son?” before Jesse thought to call David in. Jesse may well have thought, that is just my youngest, why bring him in for such honours when I have these strapping, powerful, proven sons in front of me?

When David was seated on the throne, his children were wild. Two of them staged coups. One raped his own sister. One brother murdered the other in revenge for the rape of his sister. What a hornet’s nest for a family! Those closest to him, dear advisors and priests, left his service in order to support the coup of his son Absalom. David was utterly and publicly humiliated and scorned by those dearest to him. What was his response? David would not turn aside from the Law of the LORD—He would not disavow his King.

Despite these upsets and humiliations, David would not turn from the law of the LORD his God. Why not? David knew he was bearing the consequences of his own actions (Psalm 51 makes this clear). David feared the One Who not only holds our life and our death in His hands, but is also the One Who, after we are dead can throw us into the fires and torment of hell. Every trial, whether a consequence to his own sins, or troubles arising because of the sins of his own family and the people in his life—all of those would be used by the LORD Who Heals.

This is glorious Good News for us today as well! No circumstance, no trial, no loss or heart-break is beyond the grip of His grace. Furthermore, every sin we confess is covered by the blood of Jesus—the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. What glorious hope is ours. David remains true to the Law of God—in fact the word “Law” is “Torah” which has as its underlying meaning: guidance and direction—because there is no other adequate guide and instruction for his life. David knows all he has is a gift from God His Father—the LORD may grant or remove any of His gifts but for those who follow Him the LORD will never take away their confident hope in Him. The only path of life is obedience to the King of kings and LORD of Lords.

Mighty God, I confess how often the waves of my life’s circumstances can shake me and rattle me. When all around me whitecaps seem to surge and all I can see is fog and storms it is tempting to go to old patterns of sin and self-soothing—yet it is at that very instant I am to re-learn the great truth that Your Torah is the only path of life. Obedience is the only way through the valley of the shadow of death. Thank You, God my Father, that You have given the infinitely gracious and glorious gift of Jesus Christ—in Whom and for Whose glory, you love me and have removed every sin and all the entanglements thereof. Even if those closest to me, dearest friends and co-workers should mock me and laugh at my confidence in You—keep me steady in the pathway of Your glorious law. Increase my capacity to love You and deepen my joy in serving You. Amen.

November 10, 2019 -- Psalm 119:50 -- Standing tall for our God

This is my comfort in my affliction,

that your promise gives me life.

Psalm 119:50 English Standard Version

The word “affliction” can also have the sense of “humiliation”—those who serve the LORD will suffer for their faithfulness. They will encounter everything from skepticism to imprisonment for their dedication to the Holy One. Students may be humiliated by their teachers, who act as if their godless belief system is superior, and such teachers mock their students mercilessly. Employees, seeking to honour the commandments of their King, will not work on Sundays and such people can suffer consequences for their commitment to Jesus. A woman may meet a man she is very interested in, but learning he is not a true, dedicated-to-Jesus Christian will not be open even to dating him because such a relationship is in violation of her commitment to the Word of God.

Likely many Christians cannot identify with this particular verse of Psalm 119 because they have not been willing to suffer for the sake of Jesus. They would rather not identify with Jesus in His suffering and that means they bow to peer pressure or cave in doing what they claim their convictions would forbid in order to stay in step with the norms of society. If this sounds like you, then this verse is a wake-up call: to fortify your minds, and steel your resolve and re-commit yourselves to being faithful to the LORD of Glory no matter the consequences. Here is the firm foundation for such confident living.

Those who bear affliction, humiliation and suffering for the sake of Jesus’ Name will be comforted. In fact the word “comfort” has the sense that there will be urgent, persistent, steadfast streams of comfort pouring into the soul of the afflicted. It is the Spirit of God Whom Jesus describes as His Comfort. It is the Spirit of God, sent from the Father to the believer, Who takes up residence in the heart, mind and soul of the believer fortifying him to endure all things for the glory of Jesus. The Spirit of all Comfort reminds us that what the world sees is skewed and wrong. Believers see it as it is: Jesus is on the throne of heaven, conquering evil, bringing all thrones and powers, dominion and authority to submission and one day this will all be revealed. Those who stood firm as soldiers in the army of Jesus will receive their reward. All that is temporal and passing in this world will be swept away and the believer will finally see with their eyes what faith now sees: the eternal inheritance which is being prepared for all who kept fervent love for Jesus as the fire in their breast and the guiding vision of their lives.

Where we read “promise” the Hebrew and the Greek translation of the Hebrew called the Septuagint has “word”. Remember John 1 and I John 1 where Jesus is described as “the word”. He is the Word of God Who takes on flesh—God with Us. He is true God and true Man so that everything He reveals can be trusted and counted as utterly true.

Second, in Jesus we have life. We are instructed: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). The power of Jesus is such that in His Great Name we have life now that unfolds in ever greater measure into all eternity. Our every moment here on earth is infused with the great anticipation of the day when we will see Jesus and be ushered into the presence of our Father in Heaven. What can mere mortals here on earth do to us now? We live with the vision of Jesus Christ and of the weight of glory that is about to be given us!

With the great Irish hymn writer we cry out: “Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart, naught be all else to me, save that thou art—thou my best thought by day or by night, waking or sleeping, they presence my light. Be thou my battle shield, sword for my fight; be thou my dignity, thou my delight, thou my soul’s shelter, thou my high tower; raise thou me Heavenward, O Power of my power.” Amen.

November 8, 2019 -- Psalm 119:49 -- Remember

Remember your word to your servant,

in which you have made me hope.

Psalm 119:49 English Standard Version

St. Augustine notes that the word “remember” does not mean the LORD God has forgotten His word or His promises to His people. Instead, this is an urgent request from the psalmist that God would fulfil His word to HIs servant. In the Hebrew language, the act of remembering always involves action in fulfilment of what is brought to mind.

Ah, here is the critical question: do you know the promises of God? Are you a student of the word to such an extent that you know the word of God the Faithful and can hold them up to Him in prayer?

Everyone who calls on the Name of the LORD will be saved (Romans 10:13; Acts 2:21; Joel 2:31). What a glorious promise—those who call on the Name of the LORD, crying out to Jesus will be rescued from this present evil age. Their sins have been punished on the Person of Jesus and their account credited with the obedience of Jesus.

When sins and enemies and troubles are arrayed against you, can you find victory? (John 16:33)

When facing death and the grave? John 11:25

When the enemy accuses you of your sins—what assurances do you have? (Revelation 12:10 Colossians 2:15)

The psalmist knows his hope is not found in his feelings, not found in what man can promise him. His hope is anchored in Jesus Christ—the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the word. What the sacrifices of the Old Testament pointed to have all been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. We hope in Him and have confidence in the Word of the LORD, Who does not change, Who does not say one thing and do another. No! Instead, we are confident in Him and we have hope—”and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5).

Drive us to the Word, Spirit of God, that in it and through it we may see the glory of Jesus Christ. As through the pages of Holy Scripture we see Jesus, conquer our hearts all over again so that we place all our confidence and hope in Him and His accomplished work. Spirit of Truth, fill our thoughts and imagination with the mighty acts of Jesus so that we will follow Him in all things. Send us, Spirit of Comfort, with the good news of Jesus to be ambassadors and witnesses to His goodness so that the people in our lives who do not yet know Him will bless Him and follow Him in glorious hope. Send out missionaries and gospel preachers near and far. Renew missionary zeal among believers, God of Life, so that the purposes for which You, in love, sent Jesus to this world will be fulfilled! Amen.

November 6, 2019 -- Psalm 119:48 -- Surrendered love

I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.

Psalm 119:48 English Standard Version

The lifting of someone’s hands, palms outward, is pretty much a universal sign of surrender. What the psalmist is declaring is that he will surrender completely to the commandments of the LORD his God. There are several key words that are repeated constantly through-out Psalm 119—all of them are references to the law, commandments, ways, judgments, rules, word, and testimony of the LORD. Rarely does the psalmist repeat verbs, yet our verse today repeats the verb “to love” which was used in the previous verse. This should make us pause and ask ourselves: why the repetition?

In the New Testament Jesus reminds us: “If you love Me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Obedience is a sign of our reverent love for our Father in heaven. The commandments of God are for us the pathway of holy living. We keep them because we have been changed from the inside out and there is no one and no thing as precious in our life as the commandments of God. We follow in the footsteps of Christ, the Captain of Salvation, desiring to love Him and keep His commandments, as evidence of our thankfulness for the new life that we have received from Him. It is the Spirit of God who fuels the fires of obedient love in us.

Isn’t it interesting how a man who loves a woman will think about her all the time?! He will tell anyone he can of her beauty, all the reasons he is so drawn to her. His mind willingly meditates on her until he sees her again. As believers we meditate on the commandments of the LORD—the Promise-Keeping God—for we know as we walk in His ways we are journeying to that glorious moment when we finally see Him face to face. Meditating on His laws deepens our anticipation for that day; meditating on His commandments increases our love and such contemplations render our obedience to Him whole-hearted and free.

Will we fail? Yes.

Will He forgive us? Yes.

Therefore our devotion and surrender and love are all the greater. Shamefacedly we confess our sins. He forgives us on the basis of Jesus’ accomplished work. Jesus’ perfect obedience is credited to our account. We heed Jesus’ warning found in Revelation 2 “But I have this against you, you have abandoned the love you had at first” (verse 4). Ah, fellow Christian, shake off your lethargy! Awaken your soul and surrender all over again to the LORD the Glorious and Victorious Who has conquered sin, death and the grave. Surrender to Him and let your heart be recaptured by His love so that the only response which ever makes sense is to say with the psalmist:

I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.

Our testimony and song, our praise and blessing to Your Name is taken up with the words of Revelation:

The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ,

and He shall reign forever and ever.

We give thanks to You, Lord God Almighty,

who is and who was,

for You have taken Your great power and begun to reign!

Amen. Hallelujah! Amen.

(The quotation is from Revelation 11:15 and 17)

November 5, 2019 -- Psalm 119: 47 -- Delight in God and His Commandments

I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
and shall not be put to shame,
for I find my delight in your commandments,
which I love.

Psalm 119:46-47 English Standard Version

Yesterday we looked at David, before he became King of Israel, how he delighted to speak the testimony of God before kings—like he did before King Saul when that king trembled, afraid of the challenges shouted out by the giant, and blasphemous, Goliath. How is it that David dared to speak so boldly to the king? The simple answer is found in the verbs the psalmist used in our passage today: delight and love.

Think about how many grandparents carry around pictures of their grandchildren. They are only too happy to use any excuse to pull out their cell phones and show you the latest pictures. They will coo and aww over each picture so completely incapacitated by awe they will fail to notice that your eyes began glazing over around picture 27 or 28. Their enthusiasm over these grandchildren will overcome your protestations and excuses so that you do in fact sit down to see the pictures and hear the latest stories.

The commandments of the LORD our God are delightful, even more delightful than a suitcase full of grandchildren photos—they teach us the way to live. The commandments of God show us the more excellent way. Let’s face it, the human heart is totally depraved. According to the Bible the thoughts of the human heart, untouched by the grace of God the Merciful, is corruption and evil all the time. If you don’t quite believe this, consider all the political scandals that take place, with daily, monotonous regularity. Or think how the climate scientists constantly wring their hands over the changing climate, while jetting to various meetings around the world to meet, while consuming vast amounts of imported food and stomping a huge carbon footprint all over the places they visit. What about the fact that aid sent to countries in dire poverty often winds up being stolen by the governments of that country and then sold at huge profits. The one truth that should be self-evident in our world is this: humans are not basically good.

Humans are focused on how they alone can save themselves and the planet even while these same humans abort life. Our culture of death shows how truly depraved people are. Humans made in the image of God blindly rush away from the only true source of hope and life. The LORD Who created the world and all the people in it, is the Master Who knows what is best for us and gives us instructions for fullness of life in His presence and in His world.

This is why the commandments of God are delightful. The commandments of God:

~teach us Whom to worship and how to dedicate ourselves in the only worthy pursuit of our lives: seeking the Living God

~show us how to live in community

This is why David loves the commandments:

~they give us guidelines for living out our thankfulness to God, the Source of all Good

~they structure society, even where there are widely different views

~they show us our sinfulness and our ever-pressing need for the Saviour, Who rescues us from sin and from the present evil age

Teach me to love Your commandments, Mighty God, with a renewed passion and love that is animated by Your Spirit’s presence. As the glory of Jesus, and our need for His rescuing work, is revealed by the commandments, may we deepen our commitment to Jesus—whole heart, mind, soul and strength. As our delight and love for Your commandments bubbles up within us and overflows our lips, let us be bold witnesses and ambassadors to the praise and honour of Your Great Name. Amen.

November 4, 2019 -- Psalm 119:46 -- Unstoppable

I will also speak of your testimonies before kings,

and shall not be put to shame,

Psalm 119:46 English Standard Version

Likely this is King David, the author of this Psalm, who is prepared to speak the testimonies of the LORD. Remember the testimonies of the LORD are all His commands and His decrees, all the laws and instructions—by these the Lord of Glory reveals Who He Is. Those who live in fellowship with the High King of Heaven find their lives produce good fruit when their lives conform to His will. Galatians 5 teaches us that the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Long before David was king of Israel, he was the youngest son of Jesse. David had seven brothers older than himself. He was belittled by his brothers. While he was still in this lowly state, the Mighty One of Heaven raised David up to speak to King Saul and pricked the king’s conscience about Goliath. Though a youth (disregarded by his own brothers even though they had seen his faith and knew of his courage against marauding bears that would seek to destroy the sheep he was caring for) David was convinced of the mighty testimonies of the Living God. David was prepared to speak of Him no matter the cost or the consequences.

Fascinating, isn’t it, that this youth David was so sure of the Mighty One of Heaven and the victory He would bring, meanwhile an entire army, valiant men and princes, trembled in fear of Goliath and cowered before his blasphemous testimonies of valor. The army of the LORD had forgotten His testimonies and they trembled before the wrong champion. It would take a boy, filled with faith, to teach an army the manliness that comes through faith in the Mighty One of Heaven.

Beloved, when we are prepared to speak of the testimonies of the LORD, He will use our witness. The glorious promise of scripture is this: “Greater is He Who is in you than he who is in the world” (I John 4:4). The eyes of faith will always see the majestic power of God. No matter what is stacked against you, the One Who spoke creation into being, with the lightest breath of His mouth can create or disintegrate. At issue is this: are you prepared to speak up for His honour and glory? Perhaps there is even a more basic question—do you know the testimonies of the LORD? Read the Bible. Investigate Who God really is—find a believer whose faith you admire and ask them to declare the testimonies of the Mighty One of Heaven.

Great are You Lord, and worthy of glory! Mighty are Your splendid acts of salvation. Increase our faith, High King of Heaven, so that we will hear of You in the Word and marvel; read of Your power in the life of believers and in holy awe live for You whole-heartedly. Whenever the moment comes to speak of You, give us holy boldness by the powerful presence of Your Spirit so that Jesus’ Name is honoured and adored and Your renown, Mighty One, will be known before paupers and princes, corporate CEO’s and errand boys. Amen.

November 2, 2019 -- Psalm 119:44-45 -- Christian Freedom

I will keep your law continually,

forever and ever,

and I shall walk in a wide place,

for I have sought your precepts.

Psalm 119:44-45 English Standard Version

Yesterday, when we examined verse 44, we noted that we keep the law of the LORD in the strength He provides for us by His Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God lives in us—lives in Christians. Listening to a sermon by Stephen Richardson I heard four descriptors of “Christians”. Three kinds are Christian in name only.

1. “Census Christians” those who when the census takers come by state they are “Christian”—somehow it is part of their heritage.

2. “Affiliation Christians”—those who claim to be affiliated with a particular denomination. Jokingly they are referred to as “C & E” Christians—no, not Canadian National Exhibition Christians—but Christmas and Easter Christians—named after the two holidays that they attend church.

3. “Participating Christians” those who attend church on a regular basis and get involved in various activities but all of these works and their involvement is by their own effort. They expect to be credited by God for all their good works. They can resent all they are required to do.

4. Finally there are “Born-again Christians”—these are men and women who know they are completely new; God has taken hold of their hearts and they know their sins are forgiven, their future is bound up with Jesus Christ and His glory.

Look at the verses for today. Those who are “born again” Christians (if you wonder about “born-again” read the Gospel of John chapter 3) know the law of God gives us great freedom and wide spaces for fullness of life and joy. Those who are not Christians find the law of God constricting and too hard to follow. They would rather be straight-jacketed by the world. Let me explain.

The world does not offer you “freedom”—you must always conform. Our current Prime Minister’s view of ‘Canadian freedom’ requires all his MP’s to actively promote abortion and to export this heinous, murderous practice to other countries (using Canadian tax dollars!). Liberal MP’s must affirm every part of the agenda of the LGBT?+. There is no room for conscience. There is no place for alternate views. That is not freedom. That is totalitarianism.

The Christian finds in the precepts of God (precepts are what God has appointed to be done) a way to live in society where different views can be expressed. The Christian has freedom in living out the precepts of the Glorious God Who rescued us from sin and such Christians know these rules are guideposts for thankful living before our King. The Sabbath becomes a joy—a sanctuary in time to meet with God the triune: Him Who created us, meet with the Savior Who rescued us and meet with the Spirit Who empowers us with a view of the glories that yet await us. We do not murder—life is precious, not because of what a person can do, or produce, or contribute, life is precious because each person is made in the image of God the Glorious.

If you have read this far in today’s devotion and don’t yet know the joy of living for Jesus—I urge you, PLEASE find a Christian whose walk you admire and talk with him. Seek until you find.

Mighty God, Who lives in unapproachable light—thank You for stooping to our human weaknesses and declaring Your rich and glorious salvation in Jesus Christ. Thank You, Jesus our Sovereign Master, for the fullness of life You give and for the way of thankful obedience clearly spelled out in the Bible. Spirit of all Comfort Who guides us in right paths, strengthen us as born-again believers to walk in the precepts of our God. Lord of Mercy for those people in our lives who do not yet know You, we urgently pray that the joy of Your salvation will rise up and shine over them so that they will know Jesus as Savior, King and our Very Great Reward. Amen.

November 1, 2019 -- Psalm 119:44 -- Keeping His Law

I will keep you law continually,

forever and forever.

Psalm 119:44 English Standard Version

Perhaps you are quietly objecting in your mind as you read this short verse today—”it is all well and fine for the psalmist to declare he will continually keep the law, but I can’t. It is too difficult!” You are so right. Humanly speaking it is way too difficult. However, consider these words: “May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence…” II Peter 1:2-3 ESV.

Those who know Jesus Christ as our Savior—the One Who Rescued us from our sin and bore the punishment of God against it on the cross—are also those who know Him as the Lord of power—by His Spirit He is continually giving us His glory and excellence so that we may live for Him. The choice that is always, every single second of the day, before us is this: am I going to use my mind to serve God? Am I going to use my money in accordance with the glory of God and His praise? Am I going to treat my spouse in such a way that God is praised and my spouse is honoured? Am I going to put to death the lusts that wage war against my body and use my body in holy and honourable ways?

That is too exhausting, right? Yes it is. If we are slogging it out in our own strength. The promise is that God our Father has, Himself, already given us all things necessary. The rock solid promise of the Word is that He has granted—notice this is in the past tense—all the things we need to live this way for His glory and excellence! More than this, our obedience is still faltering, the best we offer is still foolishness and weakness, but Jesus Christ speaks on our behalf, He says: “Father, credit what they are doing with My perfection and My obedience.” It is on us to confess our mess each and every time and then to walk in His ways.

Pray—God, Source of Every Good Gift—send Your Spirit to help me. Be glorified in my life today.

Thank Jesus for His work on Your behalf—oh how much You have given us so that we have all things (read that again) Jesus has given us ALL THINGS that pertain to life and godliness!

Trust that God Who is faithful, has given You His Spirit in response to your prayers. You will know the presence of the Spirit in these ways: your conscience will be reawakened. You will notice sin is losing its appeal. You will clearly see opportunities to sin presented to you and clearly see the alternative—the way out. You will be bolder to confess Jesus in your words and your actions.

Exactly as You promised, Mighty God of Heaven, we hold out our hands to receive—grace and peace multiplied to us in knowing You and knowing Jesus Christ. Ah, we bless You, King of kings and LORD of Lords that in Jesus Christ and by His power You have already given us all things necessary for life and godliness. Spirit of the Living God, assist us so that we will keep God’s law continually, and joyfully, now and forever. Amen.

October 31, 2019 -- Psalm 119:43 -- Confessing Jesus Publicly

And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,

for my hope is in your rules.

Psalm 119:43 English Standard Version

Even a plain translation like the one I use, the English Standard Version, can be difficult to understand. Today’s verse is a good example. It is, in a sense, an emphatic negative—like when someone tells you something exciting and you say “No way!” Someone from a different culture learning the English language would think, “Oh, that man is disagreeing with what the speaker just said.”

The Hebrew, which is the original language is quite emphatic: “Do not plunder, or strip away the word of truth (which is firm, sure) from my mouth”—think of the times someone has asked you about your faith and you were at a loss for words. Every other time you can talk up a storm, but the moment a serious God-seeking person asks you a question suddenly you are stuttering. Or recall the times someone in your workplace was slandering God and dragging His Name through the mud. You know you should have spoken the Word of Truth, but you kept silent, it is as if the all the things you want to say have been snatched from your mouth. Then a moment later or an hour later you begin to feel the prick of conscience and sadness at your unwillingness to speak up for the glory of our God and King.

Remember what Jesus said, “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven” Matthew 10:32-33). It is a matter of life and death for us. We are called to confess our Faithful Father before others. We are to declare, everywhere and at all times, we are followers of Jesus Christ. That means we will give an account of what we believe and why at work and at play, at home and in political discussions—our lives are His and we soldiers of the cross who are ever and always prepared to give a defense of what we believe.

It is a bit odd at this point that the ESV translated the second part of this verse as it did; I believe it should read: “for I await (hope) in Your judgments”. We do not earn our salvation. We can’t add anything to what Jesus Christ has done for us. We are forgiven because of His blood shed on the cross, He took the punishment we deserved. We are called “Holy to God” because Jesus’ good life and perfect obedience are credited to our account when we believe in Him. The evidence of this, the fruit of this, is that we confess His Name. We speak and tell others we belong to Him. God’s judgment is against all who refuse Jesus Christ. God the Just Judge will condemn to hell all who trample on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and do not publicly acknowledge His Name. It is the just judgment of the Sovereign King we hope in. He has declared “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).

Forgive us, blessed Jesus, for the times we froze, for the times we did not speak, and for the times we were too embarrassed and shy. With the psalmist we pray urgently, as we trust in the power of Your Spirit living in us, “And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth for all our hope is in Your just judgments.” Let our lives bring You praise, Glorious Father, as we believe in Jesus and confess Him to any and all people we meet. Amen.