January 27, 2020 -- Psalm 119:100 -- More understanding

I have more understanding than the aged,

for I keep your precepts.

Psalm 119:100 English Standard Version

For Hebrew culture this is a very rude statement. To claim more understanding than an elderly person is quite disrespectful. In our particular stanza, the Mem Stanza, there is a pattern developed by the writer. He is stating that the laws and commandments, the precepts and rules of the LORD are the only principles that are sufficient to guide us in every stage of our life—at rest and at work, in one’s youth and old age. So the psalmist is noting that grey hairs don’t necessarily mean someone is wise. The mark of wisdom, for a person of any age, is great devotion to the LORD our God.

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, encouraged his followers to live and die well. In sharp contrast to the people of this age, Christian believers know their life is bound up in Jesus Christ. As Paul so boldly wrote: “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Our lives will be filled with all kinds of trials and smooth times, upheaval and questions and the life centred on Jesus Christ does not fear the storms or place too much confidence on the good times. Believers know everything can change in an instant and the only constant in our life is Jesus and His grace poured out on us.

The word of the LORD is firmly fixed in the heavens. Our confidence is anchored in Jesus Christ, the revelation of God. Jesus reveals the Father to us. Jesus’ Spirit is poured out on believer so that we know the Word of God is absolutely trustworthy and reliable. All of us, every person, places his or her ultimate trust in something—all these things will fail, all these theories will be disproven—the only absolutely sure foundation that can be trusted by all people in every age is Jesus Christ. May you know the joy of His salvation. May you have the glorious confidence that nothing can steal your joy or rob you of the awe-filled worship and wonder in store for His followers in eternity.

King Jesus, radiance of the Father’s glory, may the words of the psalm-writer become ever more true in our lives. Let Your Spirit direct our hearts and our obedient faith in Your Word. May the life we live in this world be informed and illuminated by the glory that is yet to come in the paradise of Your Presence in eternity. Amen.