December 17, 2019 -- Psalm 119:76 -- From slaves to friends of God
/Let your steadfast love comfort me,
according to your promise to your servant.
Psalm 119:76 English Standard Version
The Ten Commandments use the word “steadfast love” in the second commandment.
You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness
of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath,
or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them
or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the
iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth
generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to
thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Exodus 20:4-6 ESV
The English expression steadfast love translates one Hebrew word. It is a covenant word—that is, the LORD God made a binding promise to His people to be their God and they would be His people. In the context of the Ten Commandments we read of the steadfast love of God—His continuing faithfulness, love and mercy to His people. In Exodus 34:6 the expression “steadfast love” is actually part of the character of God which He revealed to Moses. Steadfast love is the refrain used repeatedly in Psalm 136.
When his heart has been particularly battered and bruised by the afflictions he has endured (cf devotion of Dec. 16th) he calls on the Name of the LORD, Who promises that He is full of steadfast love and compassion. It is His Name; it is how He promised He will act towards to His people. David knew the Scripture so well, he could bring up God’s promises and ask God to act according to these promises, according to the very word He Himself had uttered.
In the New Testament Jesus promised: “I will ask the Father and He will send you another Helper [literally Comforter]” (John 14:16). Jesus Himself is our great Comforter. By His sacrifice we are set free from the punishment which our sins deserve. Jesus stood in our place. As our Ascended King, He has sent the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, Who makes the promises of God living and stirringly real to our hearts.
Such is given to the servants of God—those who are His slaves. Formerly we were slaves to sin—addicted to sin and willingly giving ourselves over to them. Now we are slaves to God, we have turned our will and our lives over to Him. This is why the Second Commandment is so critical—nothing must ever take the place of God in our hearts. He has set us free from our sinful, wicked idolatries—all of which are nothing but shafts leading straight to the caverns of hell.
Strikingly, Jesus said: “I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me” (John 15:15 NLT). What extravagant blessing is ours, what great comfort. We are not slaves anymore, but friends of God—what glorious comfort! The author of this Psalm, no doubt, longed to look into such things and understand them as fully as we, New Testament Christians, do now.
Who is a god like You, Faithful King of Heaven and Earth?! You have set Your people free from our slavery to sin and released the chains binding us to the punishments our rebellious acts against You so richly deserved. In Your steadfast love You have given us the first Comforter, Jesus, by Whom we are set free. Oh Father and Jesus, our Comforter—You have sent the second Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to take up residence in our hearts. Great are You LORD God, and worthy of glory. Great are You Merciful God and Savior. Spirit of Comfort help us to live fully and faithfully dedicated to God Who made us, and bring us to our eternal home in the glorious presence of the Triune God. Amen.
