February 22, 2020 -- Psalm 119:119 -- Gross dross and purified metal

All the wicked you discard like dross,

therefore I love your testimonies.

Psalm 119:119 English Standard Version

There is a Day of Judgment. The sins of the wicked, those who are unrepentant—unwilling to turn from their sins and submit their hearts and minds to Jesus Christ—will face the wrath of God. Here the reference is “dross”. Dross is the scum and solid impurities which float to the surface of molten metal. It is useless. Interestingly, the only way to purify metal is to heat to high temperatures. The metal becomes pure and the impurities are driven out. That tells us a lot about the purpose of our trials—they drive our the impurities from among the people of God.

We can find many such references to the wicked in Scripture. This wicked are like chaff that the wind drives away (Psalm 1:4). The horns of the wicked shall be cut off (Psalm 75:10)—which means they will be made powerless. Why does Scripture refer to this over and over again? The point is that the wicked, who seem powerful and successful now, will meet their doom. They will die. When the Judgment Day comes they, who were once so haughty and proud, will be humbled. In awe they will bow their knees before Jesus Christ and confess Him LORD to the glory of the Father.

The testimonies of the LORD, the written word, give us delightful and steadfast assurance of the victory of Jesus Christ over evil. It is not that Christians will triumph in their own strength. Read these glorious words:

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.

But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours

but also for the sins of the whole world.

I John 2:1-2 NIV

He, Jesus, is the atoning sacrifice. He speaks to the Father interceding and pleading His blood and His perfect life given in our place. The “whole world” refers to all, the full count of those who will believe in Jesus Christ and be sheltered by His atoning sacrifice.

Dear Jesus, a life-time is not enough time to thank You for Your love and great sacrifice. Take all our guilty stains away. By the powerful presence of Your Spirit restore to us the joy of our salvation and re-ignite in us a holy zeal to serve You with our words and hands, thoughts and actions. Let our lives bring praise and honour to the Father in heaven, Who has claimed us beloved sons and daughters. Let our lives impact our family and neighbours, co-workers and friends, so that they will leave the wickedness of their ways and embrace Jesus Christ with all hope and wonder. Amen.