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.
