April 17, 2020 -- Psalm 119:152 -- What history proves

Long have I known from your testimonies

that you have founded them forever.

Psalm 119:152 English Standard Version

As was mentioned yesterday this eight verse stanza of Psalm 119 ends with a two-verse resolution and the verse we have before us today is the second of those verses. The writer of this Psalm has experienced various hardships yet he remained steady in his faith in the LORD God. Why?

The writer of this Psalm has known about the testimonies of the LORD for a long time. This is the instruction ingrained since his youth. At the very end of the little Bible-history book of Ruth there is a brief genealogy of King David’s family. The mercy God as shown to David’s family is traceable through the generations. No doubt his father instructed David concerning the tremendous faithfulness of the LORD proved by their own family tree.

While yet a young man David was anointed to be the next king. King Saul, the reigning king of Israel at the time of David’s secret anointing, had designs for his own son to be the next king and he grew to hate David. Yet King Saul’s own son Jonathan loved David as a dear friend and accepted God’s decree that David, rather than he, Jonathan himself, would be the next king. In this Jonathan proved to be faithful and obedient to God rather than acquiesce with the wicked intentions of his power-hungry father. All of this evidence of the LORD’s decree and testimonies which are trustworthy.

These strange days of Covid-19, where governments decree people are to socially isolate, ordered to stay at home as much as possible, are in fact perfect days to return to the Bible. We have an unprecedented opportunity to read the Bible. We have more time than ever before to listen to Christian podcasts and explore the beauty of the LORD’s testimonies and see that He has founded them forever.

Reading the Bible now, in larger chunks and chapters, you’ll see the faithfulness of the God the Father. How He preserved for Himself a people from which Jesus would trace His human descent. Jesus was fully human, of the line and Royal family of David and He was fully Divine. The Spirit of God overshadowed the virgin Mary and she conceived and bore a son.

Interestingly, no matter your philosophical system, you will believe in a “virgin birth”. If you deny the testimony of the Bible, you must believe some version of the secular story that there was nothing, no universe, and suddenly, for no reason that can be explained, there was an explosion. And from this big bang, no thing became everything and order came from the chaos of that explosion [an impossible virgin birth of everything!]. Or you believe the LORD of Heaven and Earth, Himself outside of time, eternally Self-existent, spoke creation into existence. You have the time now: contemplate this. Pray over this. Study the Bible. Listen to good bible instruction. Now is the opportunity unparalleled to learn, grow and know God.

Ruler of Heaven and Earth, glorious Creator, Father in heaven, thank You for the Bible. Thank You for the stories of Your faithfulness—told by believing parents and grand-parents, shared by Sunday School Teachers and our mentors all of whom You had appointed so that we would learn of Your terrible, majestic, splendor. King Jesus, blessed are You, described in the Gospel of John as the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. Thank You Spirit of God for directing our seeking and searching so that we find ourselves directed to the Light of Jesus. We pray, Triune God of Wonder, use these days for our good and instruction in Your faithfulness.

Healer of the Nations, bless and strengthen those who are struggling against this terrible sickness. Sustainer of the weary bless the health care workers and frontline medical staff who so heroically serve. We pray for the nursing homes where it reported that the coronavirus is quickly spreading and there are critical staffing shortages. There are so many vulnerable populations which include those in prisons and hospitals, in Your great compassion and mercy provide the relief that is so urgently needed.

We pray to You because You are All-powerful. You have invited Your people to ask so that we shall receive. We have confidence in You because through-out history You have proved to be loving, able and willing to help those who cry out to You. Thank You that You hear our prayers because of the powerful Name of Jesus Christ—Your Son our Savior. Amen.