October 13, 2022 -- Psalm 119:169-176 -- Scaling the heights of faith

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Let my cry come before you, O LORD;
give me understanding according to your word!
170 Let my plea come before you;
deliver me according to your word.
171 My lips will pour forth praise,
for you teach me your statutes.
172 My tongue will sing of your word,
for all your commandments are right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, O LORD,
and your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live and praise you,
and let your rules help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.
Psalm 119:169-176 ESV

This is the end of Psalm 119. It is like Mount Everest, a high climb with many challenges. To climb that Mountain one needs a guide, a lot of equipment and a sponsor who will help foot the bill. Mount Everest has claimed many lives. It weeds out those who are heart and soul dedicated to make the climb from those who merely ambitious.

Psalm 119 began with naming the blessed man—the one whose way is blameless, who walks in the Law of the LORD and who keeps His testimony and seeks Him with their whole heart (Psalm 119:1,2). Obedience to the LORD is not for the faint-hearted. It will require all you have and all you are. False paths are like deep, dangerous, crevices yawning wide to swallow down any unwary climber.

At the very end of this long psalm, still a long way from the summit, the Psalmist is crying out to the LORD for help. It is the LORD alone Who is His guide and sponsor, His protector and, as you read at verse 176, the One Who seeks and rescues His wandering people.

Jesus Christ is the Help sent by the Father. He has rescued lost sheep and paid the cost to protect the people from the wrath of God against sin. The Spirit, poured out by the Father and the Son, is the guarantee this mission will succeed—despite every inclination rising up in the Christian taunting him to quit or to turn back. The Spirit of God will remind the believer of the words of Jesus and the commands of God. The Holy Spirit will bring songs of praises to the lips of believers so that this life-long trek to the summit will end with victory in Jesus.

O LORD,
   The world is artful to entrap,
   approaches in fascinating guise,
   extends many a gilded bait,
   presents many a charming face.
Let my faith scan every painted bauble,
   and escape every bewitching snare
   in a victory that overcomes all things.
In my duties give me firmness, energy, zeal,
   devotion to thy cause,
   courage in thy name,
   love as a working grace,
   and all commensurate with my trust.
Let faith stride forth in giant power,
   and love respond with energy in every act.
I often mourn the absence of my beloved Lord
   whose smile makes earth a paradise,
   whose voice is sweetest music,
   whose presence gives all graces strength.
But by unbelief I often keep him outside my door.
Let faith give entrance that he may abide
   with me for ever.
Thy Word is full of promises,
   flowers of sweet fragrance,
   fruit of refreshing flavour when culled by faith.
May I be made rich in its riches,
   be strong in its power,
   be happy in its joy,
   abide in its sweetness,
   feast on its preciousness,
   draw vigour from its manna.
Lord, increase my faith.
"Faith and the World" Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions.Ed. Arthur Bennett. Carlisle, PA: THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST, 2020, page 196

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