February 6, 2020 -- Psalm 119:107 -- Taken from face plant to being transplanted for glory
/I am severely afflicted;
give me life, O LORD, according to your word!
Psalm 119:107 English Standard Version
Recently I was speaking with a clergyman—he is also a pastor who visits in prisons. He is in his sixties. He related how, on Easter Sunday when it was snowy and icy and he went down. He fell, flat-out face plant, kissing the pavement, in front of his parishioners. Instead of getting angry, he blessed God. It was startling. It is a great response.
We know, based on the previous verses of this psalm, that the writer has had many adversities. Consider the fact that the aged around him, who should know the LORD better and follow Him dearly, do not (verse 100). His teachers are not wise to the ways of the LORD (verse 99). His enemies surround him (verse 98). In earlier verses his afflictions are not named (verse 92). Yet they are heavy on him.
Why are these verses repeated? We get it. He suffers a lot. Before we get too impatient, it is important for us to grasp what is taking place. This man who walked in the blessing of our Covenant-Keeping God experienced deep suffering and assaults of troubles and affliction. Do not skim that or neglect to reflect on this truth.
The followers of Jesus Christ will suffer. Jesus noted that a servant is not greater than his master. Since Jesus, the Master suffered—He makes the point that the servants of the Master who are not greater than the Master will suffer as well (John 13:16ff). Such affliction drives us to our Savior. The psalmist cries out in his agony, “Give me life according to Your Word”.
We need to take this up on our lips again and again—Jesus promised: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6). Jesus identifies Himself as God Who gives life—equal to the Father in Heaven. Consider these words of the Living God from the Old Testament—words which declare the power and right of God over life and death:
“See now that I, even I, am he,
and there is no god beside me;
I kill and I make alive;
I wound and I heal;
and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.”
Deuteronomy 32:39 English Standard Version
It is so common for us to run to old sinful patterns rather than wait on God (if you have a moment read Exodus 14:14 and Isaiah 40:27-31). It is the habit of the rebellious heart to say, just this once I’m going to do this or that, rather than allow God to be our Rescuer (Isaiah 46:4). The psalmist is not going to fall into that pattern. He recognizes he is unable to save himself so he cries out to the God of all power: give me life according to Your Word. If you are feeling pressed in on every side, squeezed and struggling, do not give up hope! Place your confidence and faith fully in the One Who Rescues completely and saves us for life.
Do you feel like you’ve just taken a face-plant to the pavement? Rise up and bless the LORD Who gives life to the afflicted—every time, every day and twice on Sunday!
Words. Words. Words. LORD of All Power, it seems sometimes we hear so many words, but do not experience the grave-defying power of the Living Word Jesus. With the psalm-writer we pray this day: “Give us life according to your Word!” By the presence of Your Spirit within us, fill us with life that wells up in us to eternal life. By the power of the written word of Scripture, give us jubilant obedience to walk in this pathway of life, no matter the strength of our adversaries, who even now are passing from life to death, to torment that will not end. To You, our Majestic King be honour and praise, glory and honour now and forevermore. Amen.
