March 1, 2020 -- Psalm 119:125 -- No Longer Servants but Friends

I am your servant; give me understanding

that I may know your testimonies!

Psalm 119:125 English Standard Version

Yesterday we read the Psalmist praying to God the Master and identifying himself as the servant of the LORD. As the prayer continues in our verse today, he prays, affirming “I am your servant”. This repetition is important. Because we are God’s we have a new identity. What we were has passed away, who we are in Christ is taking hold of our heart. When we are faced with difficult decisions, we remind ourselves, “we are God’s servants”. We do not act in the ways that were so automatic to us in our former days as sinner, we do not act according to our old nature which longs to assert itself—no indeed, by the Spirit of God we act according to the instruction of God’s testimonies.

In His great compassion Jesus lifted us up and no longer calls us His servants. Read on and marvel at the high title He gives us:

No longer do I call you servants,

for the servant does not know what his master is doing;

but I have called you friends,

for all that I have heard from my Father

I have made known to you.

John 15:15 ESV

In fact, Jesus’ words fulfill the prayer of the Psalmist. The Psalmist longed for ability to understand the testimonies of God his Master and King. Jesus answered: “for all I have heard from my Father I have made known to you”. What great privilege is ours. Delight in this. Thank God for this gift of understanding. Lean into it and drink deeply from the well of salvation as you read the Bible, attend worship and encourage brothers and sisters in Christ by these words.

Who is like You, O God, gracious and compassion to Your servants?! Who is like You, O LORD Most High, calling us to Yourself in Jesus Christ?! Who is like You, Jesus our Lord and Savior, You give us the great truth of Your Word?! Who is as trustworthy and glorious as You, Spirit of the Living God, taking up residence in our hearts, making the brilliance of the Word shine into every part of our hearts and lives so that we see Jesus?! More than this, by Your powerful presence we are humbled, able to receive the words of Jesus “I have called you friends”. Indeed Jesus, You are the Friend of sinners and the Rescuer of Lost Sheep, washing us by Your blood and the instructing us in the beauty of our new life. Be glorified in the praises of Your people this day, Triune God. As we worship instruct us in Your testimonies so that thereafter we may declare Your praises and Your great Name to family, co-workers, and friends far and near. Amen.