March 24, 2020 -- Psalm 119:138 -- Appointed for Faithful Living
/You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness
and in all faithfulness.
Psalm 119:138 English Standard Version
This past Sunday my pastor Michael Jaatinen used this quotation in his sermon:
If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room,
I would not fear a million of enemies.
Yet the distance makes no difference.
He is praying for me.
Robert Murray McCheyene
What a great encouragement these words are for us as believers. At every point of crisis in the New Testament we see Jesus praying for His disciples as they face tremendous challenges to their faith and temptations to rebellion.
Even when, perhaps especially when the disciples failed, Jesus proved Himself faithful. Think of the disciple Peter who had vowed he would never abandon Jesus. Jesus replied that Satan has asked to sift him like wheat and offering wondrous reassurance Jesus promised “but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:31-34). To our eyes Peter failed. Most spectacular was his failure. But Jesus prayed. And Jesus brought Peter back to Himself, restoring him in love (John 21:15ff).
When we face crises, financial ruin, trials in our family situation, opposition to our precious faith, when the world seems to be running amok, God is not surprised. More importantly, we have the great assurance that Jesus is seated at the Father’s right hand, praying for His Church. Think of Him praying in the next room. The Spirit of God is gathering up believers and preserving us. What glory is ours.
Therefore fellow believers, therefore, do not falter in serving God. He has appointed His testimonies in righteousness. His rules and laws, His instructions for holy living suit every circumstance of our lives and every crisis in the world. He has designed it so that the obedience of His children in the times of crisis will shine like a lighthouse piercing the fog and gloom of frightening times thereby shining the light of hope found in Jesus. His light reflected in the lives of believers is used in bringing many sons and daughters to safety in Jesus’ loving protection.
God has appointed His testimonies for a time such as this. God has given us all things we need for godliness. Read this and be reassured of His unstoppable love and faithfulness:
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,
through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises,
so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature,
having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,
and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control
with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with
brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours
and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge
of our Lord Jesus Christ. II Peter 1:3-8 ESV
The Father has given us Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ prays for us. As surely as Peter was picked up and restored in holy service after each failure (cf Galatians 2:11ff). This is the divine power we need. Jesus’ Spirit Who has sealed us to Christ Himself so that our failures are not our undoing, but ever point us to the Savior, Jesus Christ, Who brought glory to the Father in heaven by atoning for all our sins and thereby bringing many sons and daughters to glory.
Faithful Father in heaven thank You for the tremendous assurance You give to Your people. Thank You, Jesus Christ our Savior, for Your work as the Faithful Prayer-Mediator Who is ever bringing our needs to our Father. Blessed are You, Spirit of God, keeping us close to the promises of Jesus and making Scripture white-hot in its relevance for every circumstance in our lives. We know this: soon and very soon we shall see the King! Spirit of Truth use these times to bring many people to the safety which is found in Christ alone. Help us as Christians to serve faithfully relying on all the divine strength Your word promises. Ah Jesus, come soon and let the glory of the Holy and Blessed Trinity cover the earth as the waters cover the seas. Amen.
