February 8, 2020 -- Psalm 119:109 -- Interaction of Law and Life

I hold my life in my hand continually,

but I do not forget your law.

Psalm 119:109

English Standard Version

What the original language communicates is the writer’s confession he holds his soul, the essence of his life, what is most precious and important, in his hands. Here’s the problem, when we hold something valuable in our hands we are apt to drop it, or have it snatched out of our hands. It happens so easily. Here in New Brunswick we had an ice storm, intermittent freezing rain for more than 14 hours. Imagine holding something precious in your hand as you go out to the car. As soon as your feet hit icy patches, you slip. Your hand opens up to brace yourself against the fall. Your hands drop everything in order to protect your head. Out from your hand flies whatever you were trying to shield and protect.

When you were a child, perhaps you had a precious coin for show and tell at school. Something you were proud of and wanted your friends to see. Then along comes the bully who demands that you show him what you have. Defiantly you close your fingers into a fist covering the coin. With obstinate cruelty the bully peels back one finger at a time until the treasure is vulnerable and exposed—ready to be snatched away.

Maybe it seemed as odd to you as it did at first to me—the counterpoint in the second phrase: “but I do not forget your law”? How does that help preserve what is precious when I don’t have the strength to keep my life? Great question.

When Israel was delivered out of Egypt, they were barely out of Egypt when the LORD had them camp near the Red Sea. Pharaoh and his army came up from Egypt to wipe them out. The people were trapped. Their lives were in their hands, but the LORD comforted them, saying, “The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent” (Exodus 14:14). Then the God of Salvation opened a way through the Red Sea so that 600,000 men and their families—so more than 1.8 million strong—passed safely through the Red Sea on dry land.

At the foot of Mt. Sinai, exactly three months after the people had been delivered from Egypt and brought to the foot of the Mountain which God had promised He would bring them to, the Faithful God reminded HIs people they are His chosen treasure, saved by His grace, they would never fall out of His hand. As the people saved by His grace, shown His power, they are then invited to keep His commandments. Keeping the commandments is a response of thankfulness to the fact that we cannot be snatched away from God.

The New Testament confirms what the psalmist prophesied about the grace of God when Jesus promised:

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.  

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,

and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

John 10:27-29 English Standard Version

The followers of Jesus Christ believe in Him. He has demonstrated His great saving love. We are dedicated to Him and for this faith will face trials and hardships, even our own flesh will at times betray us. The most precious gift of God, our soul, is constantly battered, however, Jesus gives us eternal life. He protects us and no one and nothing can snatch us out of Jesus’ hand or the hands of the Father Who clasps Jesus’ hands in love and honour for all He has done. We never had or will have the strength to protect our life, or our soul. Those who believe in Jesus Christ have the great assurance that no matter how we are battered or assaulted in this life for the sake of the Gospel, we are guarded, kept safe in the hollow of God’s hand. We need not fear him who can harm the body or even kill (Satan), for He Who has power over life and death, heaven and hell, will guard us and bring us to Himself when our life’s journey is done.

God of Might and Splendor, lead us in Your law of thankful living. We bless You and praise You for the inestimable gift of Jesus Christ and His shielding love. We bless You with wonder and awe-filled love for the extravagant gift of the Holy Spirit Who is the deposit guaranteeing our salvation in Jesus Christ. We pray Holy Spirit, direct our soul, our strength and our minds in the path of Your law so that we praise You Triune God, as in Jesus’ Name we overcome our enemies. Amen.