February 18, 2020 -- Psalm 119:116 -- Upheld in God's Court

Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,

   and let me not be put to shame in my hope!

Psalm 119:116 English Standard Version

The English Standard Version uses the vocabulary that an average grade 10 graduate would know and be able to use. However, that vocabulary is above what the average adult uses in daily reading and conversation. Why do I mention this? The very first word of our text today “uphold” is a strange word. One we likely do not use in everyday language. The plea “uphold me” can mean: support, preserve, protect. Quite apart from this, in a legal setting the word takes on a different meaning. It has a technical sense, uphold my case, confirm the validity of my claim.

The word of God is filled with the promises of God. We are invited to pray these promises to our Father in heaven with the full assurance He will hear and answer. Think of the LORD’s Prayer. Jesus taught His disciples to pray: “Give us this day our daily bread.” The point is He Who taught us to pray this will also provide. We realize our Father in heaven is the source of every good gift—He gives us work, He gives us the strength to carry it out, He gives gifts and talents

so that we can do what He has called us to do.

When the believer is surrounded by the taunts of the enemy, and derided by the people of the world who hate the glory of God, it is most appropriate to cry out: “uphold me according to your promise that I may live”. The LORD is the Just Judge of all the earth. Those who believe in Jesus Christ have been judged ‘not guilty’ of their sin and crimes and rebellion against God. Those who believe in Jesus Christ have had their sins punished on the person of Jesus so that the Judge of All the Earth upholds our case and declares us innocent.

Our own conscience rails against this. Those who know us best remind us of our sins. We can feel helpless against the onslaught of the taunts and accusations hurled against us. No wonder the psalm writer cries out to God the LORD to uphold his case. He asks the Judge to declare his case has been confirmed, sustained and the accusers accusations proved baseless. More than this, the same God Who is the Judge is the Saviour is also the One Who applies His healing work to us so that we have a sure and confident hope in Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 6:19 reminds us that we have a sure and trustworthy hope, because it is anchored in Jesus Christ. The Spirit of the LORD assures us and reassures us of the victory that is ours in Jesus Christ so that we will not fail. Our confidence is not in our own ability or skills, but our hope rests fully and securely on Jesus Christ. The Spirit of God directs our thoughts and prayers to Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of all true believing. What a glorious God we serve.

  Blessed are You, Glorious Judge of All the Earth. It is incredible to us that You have poured out on us such mercy and grace, love and victory. Spirit of God, draw us to the word, feed us by its truth so that our hope and confidence remains fixed on Jesus—not on ourselves, not on our pseudo-accomplishments or vain boastings—but on Jesus in Whom we have our old nature put to death and with Him we rise to newness of life. Build up in us a vocabulary of faith and joy so that our lips will praise You and our lives declare Your power and dominion, might and majesty. Amen.