May 2, 2020 -- Psalm 119:161 -- Persecuted?
/Princes persecute me without cause,
but my heart stands in awe of your words.
Psalm 119:161 English Standard Version
David was a mighty king of Israel. You would think that David, as one at the pinnacle of his power, would have no problem with persecution. And you’d be wrong. The fact of the matter is this: when we name God as the strength of our life, we will be out of step with the rest of the world. Jesus reminded His disciples: “You will be hated by everyone because of Me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22).
What kinds of persecution will we face?
It can be outright hostility because we call Jesus our LORD and know Him at the Way, the Truth and the Life. So we deny ourselves the pleasures the world pursues and peers will object to us.
It can be something like a financial penalty because we refuse to lie in order to gain an advantage on our taxes or mortgage.
It can be mocking and ridicule by fellow Christians because we stand up for Jesus and the truth of creation as it is presented in scripture.
Let us be honest, as Christians in the West, what we face is mild in comparison to the persecution which opposes our brothers and sisters around the world. However, I wonder, is one of the reasons we face less persecution anchored to the fact that we do not stand out for Jesus but try so hard to stay in step with our culture?
David withstood persecution because his heart was in awe of God’s words. The power of the words of God was greater than all the suffering—potential and real suffering—he faced. The New Testament disciples and followers of Jesus showed the same endurance and courage. The word of God promises us: “Greater is He Who is in you than he who is in the world” (I John 4:4). The Spirit of God, the same Spirit Who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in everyone who believes in Jesus Christ. What glory and blessing, what hope and power reside in us. With David we can declare: “my heart stands in awe of Your words”.
Triune God, LORD of Terrible splendour and beauty, power and holiness, blessed are You. Great and true are all Your words. Spirit of the Living God, help us to believe and obey the word of Scripture. Spirit of the Living God, as we meditate on and memorize the Word may we in faith see Jesus our conquering King and Savior and serve Him alone in thankfulness and praise. Forgive us for the poverty of our faith and our shaky witness. Increase our confident courage as soldiers of the cross of Jesus Christ. Amen.
