November 15, 2019 - - Psalm 119:53 - - Indignation and Healing

Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,

who forsake your law.

Psalm 119:53 English Standard Version

What a graphic beginning to this verse—raging heat—like that which a high fever produces—has gripped the psalmist. He sees the wicked—that word carries the connotation of violence and criminality—who leave, abandon—the Law of the LORD. In forsaking the Law, those who are wicked intentionally set it aside for the purpose of adultery, and serving gods of their own making—which is idolatry. That very law, which our psalmist loves, is the Torah. The Torah was given for these purposes:

i) the instruction of mankind;

ii) the good governance of society under the mighty rule of the Sovereign of Heaven;

iii) as a teacher of sin that directs us to Jesus Christ;

iv) as the means of directing our thanksgiving and praise to our Deliverer for His great salvation.

Here is the King of Israel, the one who is called to promulgate laws (write laws and put them into effect) who knows himself to be the first one subject to the Law of the Living God. He will be a living witness to the goodness of the Torah—the Law of God and the right direction it sets for all our living.

Part of the Zayin stanza, where our verse is located, we read: “This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life” Psalm 119:50. We are instructed by this. The writer is not stopping at horror and white-hot indignation. He will continue to walk in the pathways of the Law of the LORD. His life will be an example for others. His obedience will prick the conscience of the people around him. The relief from the raging fever of indignation that had gripped him is knowing what God has decreed is right and living as a light and witness to His good and perfect Law. In a world racing after depravity, the writer’s response is obedience to the Sovereign of Heaven in whom is hope, joy, and healing.

LORD of Hosts, it is altogether too easy to stop at horror and indignation at all the steaming miasma of wickedness rising up all around. We confess, God of Life and Hope, that there are times we have raged against those whose vile deeds and laws are polluting our land—and we have stopped at these fevers of rage, rather than squaring our shoulders and walking the path of obedience, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of all true believing. May our lives bring You praise. Let our devotion to You and Your laws be the powerful testimony that more than ever our great land needs now. High King of Heaven, let Your Spirit’s strength help us to fix our eyes on Jesus and our living obedience to Him cause others to leave their intentional wickedness and find healing in Christ alone. Amen

November 13, 2019 -- Psalm 119:52 -- Remember and Act

When I think of your rules from of old,

I take comfort, O LORD.

Psalm 119:52 English Standard Version

This stanza of Psalm 119 has each verse beginning with the Hebrew letter “zayin”. In the Hebrew the first word of our verse today is “zakar” which means to remember, to call to mind. It likely best known in its use in the Ten Commandments. The fourth commandment is: “Remember the Sabbath Day”. I mention this because in the Hebrew culture to remember is to act upon that which is remembered. So King David is calling to mind the judgments of the LORD and as he remembers them he is acting on them. He would have been putting into practice the things remembered from of old.

The word “rules” can be rendered “judgments”. The LORD has decreed how His people should live. His people are those who have been rescued by His love, brought from slavery to sin and freed so that they can walk in the wide places of obedience to Him Who Keeps Covenant Forever.

In contrast those are under the curse of God the Judge, show by their words and actions that they hate the LORD of Heaven and Earth. There is no neutral ground. People either serve the Holy One or they are in rebellion against Him. The judgment of the God of Glory is upon them who rebel and they will be cast into the fires of hell. For Christians the Ten Commandments are rules of holy living. For those who hate God their Maker, the Ten Commandments are standard by which He will show them how much they hated Him.

These rules are “from of old”. It is interesting that this word “old” has the sense of looking backwards as well as forwards. These ancient rules still stand because the God Who made covenant promises does not change. His laws and judgments, His rules and His standards have not changed, nor will they change. What a comfort that is for the children of the Heavenly Father who are living in a world of upheaval and chaos. What is considered “okay” yesterday is vilified today. We live in a world where evil is called good and good is called evil. David experienced it then; we experience it now. Rather than trying to pour ourselves into the latest “thing” or the newest standard which even as it is being decreed will morph into something else, Christians conform to the image and likeness of Jesus Christ—in Whom we have our lasting consolation.

Beloved in the LORD remember the love of God, poured out to us in Jesus Christ. Remember that Jesus paid it all and we are freed from slavery to sin and our feet are set on the path of life. Remember and keep the commandments of God by the power of the Spirit of God who lives within you. You will see your sins and confess them and even as you are confessing them you will know they have been punished upon the body of Jesus at the cross. Therefore Jesus becomes for you, all the more precious, all the greater in worth and glory, He is the King Who has conquered sin and Who has conquered our hearts.

Now blessed be Your Glorious Name, LORD of Eternity. Your works from of old stand the test of time. Your rules and judgments are right and true now and always. In our lives, LORD, be glorified. Let the words of our lips and the actions of our hands bring You honour and praise. Spirit of all Comfort, as we yield our thoughts and words, hearts and hands to You, may our lives bring praise and renown to Jesus Christ—our Redeemer and our King. Amen.

November 12, 2019 -- Psalm 119:51 -- Mocked but unbowed

The insolent utterly deride me,

but I do not turn from your law.

Psalm 119:51 English Standard Version

The insolent are those who are rude, arrogant, proud, those who show no respect. It is intriguing that the writer has those in his life who are insolent—he is, after all, King David. He has conquered so many of the nations around him. He has been victorious in battle. Who would dare deride him? To deride is to mock, dismiss, or express contempt for someone. Think about the life of David—it was those who were closest to him who mocked him, belittled him and rose up against him.

When David was a young man, his own brothers called him a little kid and told him to keep quiet when David was questioning why Goliath was allowed to blaspheme the High King of Heaven. When Samuel came to anoint the next king of Israel, Jesse, David’s dad, didn’t even think to call in this son from herding the sheep. Jesse paraded all of David’s older brothers in front of Samuel, but Samuel had to ask “Isn’t there another son?” before Jesse thought to call David in. Jesse may well have thought, that is just my youngest, why bring him in for such honours when I have these strapping, powerful, proven sons in front of me?

When David was seated on the throne, his children were wild. Two of them staged coups. One raped his own sister. One brother murdered the other in revenge for the rape of his sister. What a hornet’s nest for a family! Those closest to him, dear advisors and priests, left his service in order to support the coup of his son Absalom. David was utterly and publicly humiliated and scorned by those dearest to him. What was his response? David would not turn aside from the Law of the LORD—He would not disavow his King.

Despite these upsets and humiliations, David would not turn from the law of the LORD his God. Why not? David knew he was bearing the consequences of his own actions (Psalm 51 makes this clear). David feared the One Who not only holds our life and our death in His hands, but is also the One Who, after we are dead can throw us into the fires and torment of hell. Every trial, whether a consequence to his own sins, or troubles arising because of the sins of his own family and the people in his life—all of those would be used by the LORD Who Heals.

This is glorious Good News for us today as well! No circumstance, no trial, no loss or heart-break is beyond the grip of His grace. Furthermore, every sin we confess is covered by the blood of Jesus—the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. What glorious hope is ours. David remains true to the Law of God—in fact the word “Law” is “Torah” which has as its underlying meaning: guidance and direction—because there is no other adequate guide and instruction for his life. David knows all he has is a gift from God His Father—the LORD may grant or remove any of His gifts but for those who follow Him the LORD will never take away their confident hope in Him. The only path of life is obedience to the King of kings and LORD of Lords.

Mighty God, I confess how often the waves of my life’s circumstances can shake me and rattle me. When all around me whitecaps seem to surge and all I can see is fog and storms it is tempting to go to old patterns of sin and self-soothing—yet it is at that very instant I am to re-learn the great truth that Your Torah is the only path of life. Obedience is the only way through the valley of the shadow of death. Thank You, God my Father, that You have given the infinitely gracious and glorious gift of Jesus Christ—in Whom and for Whose glory, you love me and have removed every sin and all the entanglements thereof. Even if those closest to me, dearest friends and co-workers should mock me and laugh at my confidence in You—keep me steady in the pathway of Your glorious law. Increase my capacity to love You and deepen my joy in serving You. Amen.

November 10, 2019 -- Psalm 119:50 -- Standing tall for our God

This is my comfort in my affliction,

that your promise gives me life.

Psalm 119:50 English Standard Version

The word “affliction” can also have the sense of “humiliation”—those who serve the LORD will suffer for their faithfulness. They will encounter everything from skepticism to imprisonment for their dedication to the Holy One. Students may be humiliated by their teachers, who act as if their godless belief system is superior, and such teachers mock their students mercilessly. Employees, seeking to honour the commandments of their King, will not work on Sundays and such people can suffer consequences for their commitment to Jesus. A woman may meet a man she is very interested in, but learning he is not a true, dedicated-to-Jesus Christian will not be open even to dating him because such a relationship is in violation of her commitment to the Word of God.

Likely many Christians cannot identify with this particular verse of Psalm 119 because they have not been willing to suffer for the sake of Jesus. They would rather not identify with Jesus in His suffering and that means they bow to peer pressure or cave in doing what they claim their convictions would forbid in order to stay in step with the norms of society. If this sounds like you, then this verse is a wake-up call: to fortify your minds, and steel your resolve and re-commit yourselves to being faithful to the LORD of Glory no matter the consequences. Here is the firm foundation for such confident living.

Those who bear affliction, humiliation and suffering for the sake of Jesus’ Name will be comforted. In fact the word “comfort” has the sense that there will be urgent, persistent, steadfast streams of comfort pouring into the soul of the afflicted. It is the Spirit of God Whom Jesus describes as His Comfort. It is the Spirit of God, sent from the Father to the believer, Who takes up residence in the heart, mind and soul of the believer fortifying him to endure all things for the glory of Jesus. The Spirit of all Comfort reminds us that what the world sees is skewed and wrong. Believers see it as it is: Jesus is on the throne of heaven, conquering evil, bringing all thrones and powers, dominion and authority to submission and one day this will all be revealed. Those who stood firm as soldiers in the army of Jesus will receive their reward. All that is temporal and passing in this world will be swept away and the believer will finally see with their eyes what faith now sees: the eternal inheritance which is being prepared for all who kept fervent love for Jesus as the fire in their breast and the guiding vision of their lives.

Where we read “promise” the Hebrew and the Greek translation of the Hebrew called the Septuagint has “word”. Remember John 1 and I John 1 where Jesus is described as “the word”. He is the Word of God Who takes on flesh—God with Us. He is true God and true Man so that everything He reveals can be trusted and counted as utterly true.

Second, in Jesus we have life. We are instructed: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). The power of Jesus is such that in His Great Name we have life now that unfolds in ever greater measure into all eternity. Our every moment here on earth is infused with the great anticipation of the day when we will see Jesus and be ushered into the presence of our Father in Heaven. What can mere mortals here on earth do to us now? We live with the vision of Jesus Christ and of the weight of glory that is about to be given us!

With the great Irish hymn writer we cry out: “Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart, naught be all else to me, save that thou art—thou my best thought by day or by night, waking or sleeping, they presence my light. Be thou my battle shield, sword for my fight; be thou my dignity, thou my delight, thou my soul’s shelter, thou my high tower; raise thou me Heavenward, O Power of my power.” Amen.

November 8, 2019 -- Psalm 119:49 -- Remember

Remember your word to your servant,

in which you have made me hope.

Psalm 119:49 English Standard Version

St. Augustine notes that the word “remember” does not mean the LORD God has forgotten His word or His promises to His people. Instead, this is an urgent request from the psalmist that God would fulfil His word to HIs servant. In the Hebrew language, the act of remembering always involves action in fulfilment of what is brought to mind.

Ah, here is the critical question: do you know the promises of God? Are you a student of the word to such an extent that you know the word of God the Faithful and can hold them up to Him in prayer?

Everyone who calls on the Name of the LORD will be saved (Romans 10:13; Acts 2:21; Joel 2:31). What a glorious promise—those who call on the Name of the LORD, crying out to Jesus will be rescued from this present evil age. Their sins have been punished on the Person of Jesus and their account credited with the obedience of Jesus.

When sins and enemies and troubles are arrayed against you, can you find victory? (John 16:33)

When facing death and the grave? John 11:25

When the enemy accuses you of your sins—what assurances do you have? (Revelation 12:10 Colossians 2:15)

The psalmist knows his hope is not found in his feelings, not found in what man can promise him. His hope is anchored in Jesus Christ—the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the word. What the sacrifices of the Old Testament pointed to have all been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. We hope in Him and have confidence in the Word of the LORD, Who does not change, Who does not say one thing and do another. No! Instead, we are confident in Him and we have hope—”and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5).

Drive us to the Word, Spirit of God, that in it and through it we may see the glory of Jesus Christ. As through the pages of Holy Scripture we see Jesus, conquer our hearts all over again so that we place all our confidence and hope in Him and His accomplished work. Spirit of Truth, fill our thoughts and imagination with the mighty acts of Jesus so that we will follow Him in all things. Send us, Spirit of Comfort, with the good news of Jesus to be ambassadors and witnesses to His goodness so that the people in our lives who do not yet know Him will bless Him and follow Him in glorious hope. Send out missionaries and gospel preachers near and far. Renew missionary zeal among believers, God of Life, so that the purposes for which You, in love, sent Jesus to this world will be fulfilled! Amen.

November 6, 2019 -- Psalm 119:48 -- Surrendered love

I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.

Psalm 119:48 English Standard Version

The lifting of someone’s hands, palms outward, is pretty much a universal sign of surrender. What the psalmist is declaring is that he will surrender completely to the commandments of the LORD his God. There are several key words that are repeated constantly through-out Psalm 119—all of them are references to the law, commandments, ways, judgments, rules, word, and testimony of the LORD. Rarely does the psalmist repeat verbs, yet our verse today repeats the verb “to love” which was used in the previous verse. This should make us pause and ask ourselves: why the repetition?

In the New Testament Jesus reminds us: “If you love Me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Obedience is a sign of our reverent love for our Father in heaven. The commandments of God are for us the pathway of holy living. We keep them because we have been changed from the inside out and there is no one and no thing as precious in our life as the commandments of God. We follow in the footsteps of Christ, the Captain of Salvation, desiring to love Him and keep His commandments, as evidence of our thankfulness for the new life that we have received from Him. It is the Spirit of God who fuels the fires of obedient love in us.

Isn’t it interesting how a man who loves a woman will think about her all the time?! He will tell anyone he can of her beauty, all the reasons he is so drawn to her. His mind willingly meditates on her until he sees her again. As believers we meditate on the commandments of the LORD—the Promise-Keeping God—for we know as we walk in His ways we are journeying to that glorious moment when we finally see Him face to face. Meditating on His laws deepens our anticipation for that day; meditating on His commandments increases our love and such contemplations render our obedience to Him whole-hearted and free.

Will we fail? Yes.

Will He forgive us? Yes.

Therefore our devotion and surrender and love are all the greater. Shamefacedly we confess our sins. He forgives us on the basis of Jesus’ accomplished work. Jesus’ perfect obedience is credited to our account. We heed Jesus’ warning found in Revelation 2 “But I have this against you, you have abandoned the love you had at first” (verse 4). Ah, fellow Christian, shake off your lethargy! Awaken your soul and surrender all over again to the LORD the Glorious and Victorious Who has conquered sin, death and the grave. Surrender to Him and let your heart be recaptured by His love so that the only response which ever makes sense is to say with the psalmist:

I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.

Our testimony and song, our praise and blessing to Your Name is taken up with the words of Revelation:

The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ,

and He shall reign forever and ever.

We give thanks to You, Lord God Almighty,

who is and who was,

for You have taken Your great power and begun to reign!

Amen. Hallelujah! Amen.

(The quotation is from Revelation 11:15 and 17)

November 5, 2019 -- Psalm 119: 47 -- Delight in God and His Commandments

I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
and shall not be put to shame,
for I find my delight in your commandments,
which I love.

Psalm 119:46-47 English Standard Version

Yesterday we looked at David, before he became King of Israel, how he delighted to speak the testimony of God before kings—like he did before King Saul when that king trembled, afraid of the challenges shouted out by the giant, and blasphemous, Goliath. How is it that David dared to speak so boldly to the king? The simple answer is found in the verbs the psalmist used in our passage today: delight and love.

Think about how many grandparents carry around pictures of their grandchildren. They are only too happy to use any excuse to pull out their cell phones and show you the latest pictures. They will coo and aww over each picture so completely incapacitated by awe they will fail to notice that your eyes began glazing over around picture 27 or 28. Their enthusiasm over these grandchildren will overcome your protestations and excuses so that you do in fact sit down to see the pictures and hear the latest stories.

The commandments of the LORD our God are delightful, even more delightful than a suitcase full of grandchildren photos—they teach us the way to live. The commandments of God show us the more excellent way. Let’s face it, the human heart is totally depraved. According to the Bible the thoughts of the human heart, untouched by the grace of God the Merciful, is corruption and evil all the time. If you don’t quite believe this, consider all the political scandals that take place, with daily, monotonous regularity. Or think how the climate scientists constantly wring their hands over the changing climate, while jetting to various meetings around the world to meet, while consuming vast amounts of imported food and stomping a huge carbon footprint all over the places they visit. What about the fact that aid sent to countries in dire poverty often winds up being stolen by the governments of that country and then sold at huge profits. The one truth that should be self-evident in our world is this: humans are not basically good.

Humans are focused on how they alone can save themselves and the planet even while these same humans abort life. Our culture of death shows how truly depraved people are. Humans made in the image of God blindly rush away from the only true source of hope and life. The LORD Who created the world and all the people in it, is the Master Who knows what is best for us and gives us instructions for fullness of life in His presence and in His world.

This is why the commandments of God are delightful. The commandments of God:

~teach us Whom to worship and how to dedicate ourselves in the only worthy pursuit of our lives: seeking the Living God

~show us how to live in community

This is why David loves the commandments:

~they give us guidelines for living out our thankfulness to God, the Source of all Good

~they structure society, even where there are widely different views

~they show us our sinfulness and our ever-pressing need for the Saviour, Who rescues us from sin and from the present evil age

Teach me to love Your commandments, Mighty God, with a renewed passion and love that is animated by Your Spirit’s presence. As the glory of Jesus, and our need for His rescuing work, is revealed by the commandments, may we deepen our commitment to Jesus—whole heart, mind, soul and strength. As our delight and love for Your commandments bubbles up within us and overflows our lips, let us be bold witnesses and ambassadors to the praise and honour of Your Great Name. Amen.

November 4, 2019 -- Psalm 119:46 -- Unstoppable

I will also speak of your testimonies before kings,

and shall not be put to shame,

Psalm 119:46 English Standard Version

Likely this is King David, the author of this Psalm, who is prepared to speak the testimonies of the LORD. Remember the testimonies of the LORD are all His commands and His decrees, all the laws and instructions—by these the Lord of Glory reveals Who He Is. Those who live in fellowship with the High King of Heaven find their lives produce good fruit when their lives conform to His will. Galatians 5 teaches us that the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Long before David was king of Israel, he was the youngest son of Jesse. David had seven brothers older than himself. He was belittled by his brothers. While he was still in this lowly state, the Mighty One of Heaven raised David up to speak to King Saul and pricked the king’s conscience about Goliath. Though a youth (disregarded by his own brothers even though they had seen his faith and knew of his courage against marauding bears that would seek to destroy the sheep he was caring for) David was convinced of the mighty testimonies of the Living God. David was prepared to speak of Him no matter the cost or the consequences.

Fascinating, isn’t it, that this youth David was so sure of the Mighty One of Heaven and the victory He would bring, meanwhile an entire army, valiant men and princes, trembled in fear of Goliath and cowered before his blasphemous testimonies of valor. The army of the LORD had forgotten His testimonies and they trembled before the wrong champion. It would take a boy, filled with faith, to teach an army the manliness that comes through faith in the Mighty One of Heaven.

Beloved, when we are prepared to speak of the testimonies of the LORD, He will use our witness. The glorious promise of scripture is this: “Greater is He Who is in you than he who is in the world” (I John 4:4). The eyes of faith will always see the majestic power of God. No matter what is stacked against you, the One Who spoke creation into being, with the lightest breath of His mouth can create or disintegrate. At issue is this: are you prepared to speak up for His honour and glory? Perhaps there is even a more basic question—do you know the testimonies of the LORD? Read the Bible. Investigate Who God really is—find a believer whose faith you admire and ask them to declare the testimonies of the Mighty One of Heaven.

Great are You Lord, and worthy of glory! Mighty are Your splendid acts of salvation. Increase our faith, High King of Heaven, so that we will hear of You in the Word and marvel; read of Your power in the life of believers and in holy awe live for You whole-heartedly. Whenever the moment comes to speak of You, give us holy boldness by the powerful presence of Your Spirit so that Jesus’ Name is honoured and adored and Your renown, Mighty One, will be known before paupers and princes, corporate CEO’s and errand boys. Amen.

November 2, 2019 -- Psalm 119:44-45 -- Christian Freedom

I will keep your law continually,

forever and ever,

and I shall walk in a wide place,

for I have sought your precepts.

Psalm 119:44-45 English Standard Version

Yesterday, when we examined verse 44, we noted that we keep the law of the LORD in the strength He provides for us by His Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God lives in us—lives in Christians. Listening to a sermon by Stephen Richardson I heard four descriptors of “Christians”. Three kinds are Christian in name only.

1. “Census Christians” those who when the census takers come by state they are “Christian”—somehow it is part of their heritage.

2. “Affiliation Christians”—those who claim to be affiliated with a particular denomination. Jokingly they are referred to as “C & E” Christians—no, not Canadian National Exhibition Christians—but Christmas and Easter Christians—named after the two holidays that they attend church.

3. “Participating Christians” those who attend church on a regular basis and get involved in various activities but all of these works and their involvement is by their own effort. They expect to be credited by God for all their good works. They can resent all they are required to do.

4. Finally there are “Born-again Christians”—these are men and women who know they are completely new; God has taken hold of their hearts and they know their sins are forgiven, their future is bound up with Jesus Christ and His glory.

Look at the verses for today. Those who are “born again” Christians (if you wonder about “born-again” read the Gospel of John chapter 3) know the law of God gives us great freedom and wide spaces for fullness of life and joy. Those who are not Christians find the law of God constricting and too hard to follow. They would rather be straight-jacketed by the world. Let me explain.

The world does not offer you “freedom”—you must always conform. Our current Prime Minister’s view of ‘Canadian freedom’ requires all his MP’s to actively promote abortion and to export this heinous, murderous practice to other countries (using Canadian tax dollars!). Liberal MP’s must affirm every part of the agenda of the LGBT?+. There is no room for conscience. There is no place for alternate views. That is not freedom. That is totalitarianism.

The Christian finds in the precepts of God (precepts are what God has appointed to be done) a way to live in society where different views can be expressed. The Christian has freedom in living out the precepts of the Glorious God Who rescued us from sin and such Christians know these rules are guideposts for thankful living before our King. The Sabbath becomes a joy—a sanctuary in time to meet with God the triune: Him Who created us, meet with the Savior Who rescued us and meet with the Spirit Who empowers us with a view of the glories that yet await us. We do not murder—life is precious, not because of what a person can do, or produce, or contribute, life is precious because each person is made in the image of God the Glorious.

If you have read this far in today’s devotion and don’t yet know the joy of living for Jesus—I urge you, PLEASE find a Christian whose walk you admire and talk with him. Seek until you find.

Mighty God, Who lives in unapproachable light—thank You for stooping to our human weaknesses and declaring Your rich and glorious salvation in Jesus Christ. Thank You, Jesus our Sovereign Master, for the fullness of life You give and for the way of thankful obedience clearly spelled out in the Bible. Spirit of all Comfort Who guides us in right paths, strengthen us as born-again believers to walk in the precepts of our God. Lord of Mercy for those people in our lives who do not yet know You, we urgently pray that the joy of Your salvation will rise up and shine over them so that they will know Jesus as Savior, King and our Very Great Reward. Amen.

November 1, 2019 -- Psalm 119:44 -- Keeping His Law

I will keep you law continually,

forever and forever.

Psalm 119:44 English Standard Version

Perhaps you are quietly objecting in your mind as you read this short verse today—”it is all well and fine for the psalmist to declare he will continually keep the law, but I can’t. It is too difficult!” You are so right. Humanly speaking it is way too difficult. However, consider these words: “May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence…” II Peter 1:2-3 ESV.

Those who know Jesus Christ as our Savior—the One Who Rescued us from our sin and bore the punishment of God against it on the cross—are also those who know Him as the Lord of power—by His Spirit He is continually giving us His glory and excellence so that we may live for Him. The choice that is always, every single second of the day, before us is this: am I going to use my mind to serve God? Am I going to use my money in accordance with the glory of God and His praise? Am I going to treat my spouse in such a way that God is praised and my spouse is honoured? Am I going to put to death the lusts that wage war against my body and use my body in holy and honourable ways?

That is too exhausting, right? Yes it is. If we are slogging it out in our own strength. The promise is that God our Father has, Himself, already given us all things necessary. The rock solid promise of the Word is that He has granted—notice this is in the past tense—all the things we need to live this way for His glory and excellence! More than this, our obedience is still faltering, the best we offer is still foolishness and weakness, but Jesus Christ speaks on our behalf, He says: “Father, credit what they are doing with My perfection and My obedience.” It is on us to confess our mess each and every time and then to walk in His ways.

Pray—God, Source of Every Good Gift—send Your Spirit to help me. Be glorified in my life today.

Thank Jesus for His work on Your behalf—oh how much You have given us so that we have all things (read that again) Jesus has given us ALL THINGS that pertain to life and godliness!

Trust that God Who is faithful, has given You His Spirit in response to your prayers. You will know the presence of the Spirit in these ways: your conscience will be reawakened. You will notice sin is losing its appeal. You will clearly see opportunities to sin presented to you and clearly see the alternative—the way out. You will be bolder to confess Jesus in your words and your actions.

Exactly as You promised, Mighty God of Heaven, we hold out our hands to receive—grace and peace multiplied to us in knowing You and knowing Jesus Christ. Ah, we bless You, King of kings and LORD of Lords that in Jesus Christ and by His power You have already given us all things necessary for life and godliness. Spirit of the Living God, assist us so that we will keep God’s law continually, and joyfully, now and forever. Amen.

October 31, 2019 -- Psalm 119:43 -- Confessing Jesus Publicly

And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,

for my hope is in your rules.

Psalm 119:43 English Standard Version

Even a plain translation like the one I use, the English Standard Version, can be difficult to understand. Today’s verse is a good example. It is, in a sense, an emphatic negative—like when someone tells you something exciting and you say “No way!” Someone from a different culture learning the English language would think, “Oh, that man is disagreeing with what the speaker just said.”

The Hebrew, which is the original language is quite emphatic: “Do not plunder, or strip away the word of truth (which is firm, sure) from my mouth”—think of the times someone has asked you about your faith and you were at a loss for words. Every other time you can talk up a storm, but the moment a serious God-seeking person asks you a question suddenly you are stuttering. Or recall the times someone in your workplace was slandering God and dragging His Name through the mud. You know you should have spoken the Word of Truth, but you kept silent, it is as if the all the things you want to say have been snatched from your mouth. Then a moment later or an hour later you begin to feel the prick of conscience and sadness at your unwillingness to speak up for the glory of our God and King.

Remember what Jesus said, “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven” Matthew 10:32-33). It is a matter of life and death for us. We are called to confess our Faithful Father before others. We are to declare, everywhere and at all times, we are followers of Jesus Christ. That means we will give an account of what we believe and why at work and at play, at home and in political discussions—our lives are His and we soldiers of the cross who are ever and always prepared to give a defense of what we believe.

It is a bit odd at this point that the ESV translated the second part of this verse as it did; I believe it should read: “for I await (hope) in Your judgments”. We do not earn our salvation. We can’t add anything to what Jesus Christ has done for us. We are forgiven because of His blood shed on the cross, He took the punishment we deserved. We are called “Holy to God” because Jesus’ good life and perfect obedience are credited to our account when we believe in Him. The evidence of this, the fruit of this, is that we confess His Name. We speak and tell others we belong to Him. God’s judgment is against all who refuse Jesus Christ. God the Just Judge will condemn to hell all who trample on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and do not publicly acknowledge His Name. It is the just judgment of the Sovereign King we hope in. He has declared “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).

Forgive us, blessed Jesus, for the times we froze, for the times we did not speak, and for the times we were too embarrassed and shy. With the psalmist we pray urgently, as we trust in the power of Your Spirit living in us, “And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth for all our hope is in Your just judgments.” Let our lives bring You praise, Glorious Father, as we believe in Jesus and confess Him to any and all people we meet. Amen.

October 29, 2019 -- Psalm 119:41-42 -- Disarming the Accuser

Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD,

your salvation according to your promise;

then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,

for I trust in your word.

Psalm 119:41-42 English Standard Version

Who taunts the writer of this psalm? Well, according to verse 28 his own soul melts away with sorrow. Princes sit plotting against him (verse 23). He is subjected to scorn and contempt (verse 22). So it is evident even at the beginning of this Psalm (which has 176 verses!) that he faces taunting from enemies within his own heart—his conscience is seared. If this is King David, then the princes plotting against him are his own sons—and that makes sense as two of his own sons rise up against him in rebellion, trying to take the kingdom from him.

We know the devil taunts us as well. He is the accuser (Revelation 12:10); in fact his name “Satan” means “accuser”. He whispers into our ears and poisons our minds, asking “Can God really forgive that sin?” He smirks at our discomfort and continues, “You have asked forgiveness so often for this very same sin, surely there must be a limit to God’s mercy?!”

How can the follower of God answer his own conscience, his enemies, and the Accuser? The answer is found in verse 41—it is the love of God and the promise of God. I Peter 1 notes that the Old Testament writers prophesied the sufferings of Christ and His subsequent glories, and even angels longed to look into such things (I Peter 1:10-12). Jesus Christ is the Incarnation of God’s love demonstrated to us—while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). We cannot point to any good we have done or are doing or will do. God sent Jesus for the salvation of sinners, those who were chosen before the foundation of the world for the glory of His Name and the glory of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

We can answer the ones who taunt us and would seek to burden us with remembrances of our sins by this declaration: Jesus paid it all. We can point to the cross and be assured no accusation of the enemy will ever stand, because the cross disarmed the Accuser—(Colossians 2:15). What blessed freedom we have as Christians to serve our King Jesus! We trust in Jesus because His Word reassures us that all these promises are “Yes” and “Amen” in Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 1:20). Our sins are gone—the punishment against them was poured out on Jesus. The writer of Psalm 119 loves the Word of God and the Law of God because it guides his feet in paths of righteousness. We add our affirmations as we read what the psalmist wrote. The testimonies of God our Creator show us the way to live in thankfulness. We know the justice of God and the love of our Father are fully satisfied in Jesus Christ and in His Name we deny the sinful passions of our flesh and we live for Him.

In view of Your great love, God our Father, we have an answer against any and all who accuse us. In view of the glory of the cross of Jesus Christ we know the answer is always “Jesus paid it all”. Spirit of God, stir us up so that we hate our sins more and more and as we confess them we will truly repent. Even in this desire to repent we know how much we need You, Spirit of Power, to turn us away from the very sins we are repenting of, and so seek to live where the boundary lines have fallen for us in pleasant places—that is, within the will of God our Sovereign Master. Thank You for the rock solid trustworthiness of Your Word—thank You that all Your promises are “Yes” and “Amen” in Jesus Christ. Amen.

October 28, 2019 -- Psalm 119:41 -- Steadfast Love

Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD,

your salvation according to your promise;

Psalm 119:41 English Standard Version

In the last stanza of Psalm 119—which in Hebrew all the first words of each line started with the letter “He”—the psalmist focused his pleas and appeals to be directed into paths of faithfulness. This new stanza, called Waw because each verse starts with this particular Hebrew letter, begins with the psalmist appealing to the Living God to give him the motivation he needs to walk in obedience.

Notice the psalmist is already a believer. He has tasted and seen the goodness of God the Mighty. He is asking that he will once again be made aware of, delight in, the steadfast love of the LORD. Love prompts us to go to the heights in service to our spouse. Love motivates a parent to care for a sick child, regardless of the messes that need to be dealt with. Love inspires long-suffering obedience when it seems love is not reciprocated.

Perhaps the psalmist was becoming aware that his service to LORD had become perfunctory. Maybe the psalmist realized he was obeying and the well of his soul was running low. When the steadfast love of God the Blessed fills our thoughts and minds we are renewed in zeal. The psalmist is directly asking for a measure of understanding and buckets of refreshing love on the basis that this is what God Himself promises His people. Salvation is joy. Salvation is evidence that His love will never let us go.

Jesus declared “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13. This is the extravagant love of the Father shown to us most clearly in Jesus Christ—Jesus laid down His life for us, so that we would not be punished for our sins but He stood in our place. His faithful obedience to God the Father is credited to the account of all who believe in Him. The Spirit of God then fills our hearts, floods our minds, and captures our very soul with the immense unstoppable love of God the Father shown to us in Jesus.

Do you know your sins? Are you keenly aware of the wrong that you do which separates you from God the Holy and Just?

Do you know that there is nothing you can do to erase your sins, nothing you can do to cleanse your conscience? In fact, all your efforts only add to your condemnation. The cross of Jesus Christ is where all our sins are punished. The cross of Jesus Christ is where we see the Father’s love and the Son’s love in His willing obedience and the Spirit’s testimony of this love brought home to our minds and hearts. As New Testament Christians we clearly understand this psalmist’s appeal to God.

Just and True are all Your ways, Father in heaven. With the psalmist we pray: Let Your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to Your promise—shown so clearly in Jesus Christ. Renew in us the joy of Your salvation. For those who do not yet know You, let the Light of Your Glory and the refreshing streams of Your love wash over them so that they may receive the promise of Your salvation so beautifully given in Jesus Christ. Spirit of the Living God, remove any barriers and obstacles to believing. Spirit of Power, let us, who are Christians already, grow in our awareness of this mighty, deep, and wide love so that our response of love and obedience to the Father’s will and Jesus way is a thankful expression of whole-hearted devotion to You. Amen.

October 26, 2019 -- Psalm 119:40 -- Longing for Order and Justice

Behold, I long for your precepts;

in your righteousness give me life!

Psalm 119:40 English Standard Version

A newborn found in a dumpster—and we cry out: “That is wrong!” We are longing for the justice of God’s precepts, the things God appoints to be done. Sadly, all you have to do is type “dumpster infant” into your search engine and you’ll find multiple cases in Canada and the U.S.A.

A man who claims he identifies as a woman is given housing in a woman’s shelter where he preys upon the women in the shelter. The women complain and they are told they are being transgender phobic. We cry out: “Where is the justice in all of this?” What we are actually crying for is that the laws of the LORD will be observed so that men, women and children will be protected.

More illegal drugs are hitting the streets. Unscrupulous gangs cut these drugs with all kinds of substances to increase their profits. This also makes a dangerous substance toxic. Police agencies continually have to issue bulletins and media warnings that particular batches of illegals are known to be lethal. It is the height of insanity. Behold, I LONG for Your precepts.

Yesterday, a well-known Canadian environmentalist had his foundation act as a partner in a lawsuit launched by 15 Canadian youth against the government, suing the government over climate change This Canadian environmentalist himself co-owns an island with a big oil company. The irony of it would be funny if it weren’t to blatantly painful and wrong. Our news media and our government have so whipped up climate fears that children feel unsafe and there are now diagnoses of climate fears disrupting children’s ability to function. Living God, Sovereign—Who holds the past and the present, the day of Judgment and the New Heavens and New Earth in His power—we long for Your rules to take hold of our land and restore sanity.

Big Pharma have drugs to help people fight various diseases. CEO’s set prices as high as the market and insurance companies can bear. Long gone are the days of medical pioneers who refused to patent their vaccines and drugs so that they would remain affordable to all people. Today, those in distress shout till they are hoarse at the injustice of soaring medical costs and drug costs and insurers who refuse to pay. God of Compassion only Your laws can bring order from chaos.

The suicide rate among Indigenous males is 126 per 100,00, in the general population the rate of suicide among males is 24 per 100,000. The suicide rate among Indigenous females is 35 per 100,000 compared to 5 for non-Indigenous females, according to thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Add to this Canada’s abortion and euthanasia statistics and we are surrounded by a culture of hopelessness and death. God, I long for Your precepts—Your rules and Your Word which give sacred purpose and meaning to our lives.

Humanity is not “basically good”. We are sin-filled and without hope. When the Word of the LORD touches us, we have the light of life shown to us in Jesus Christ and from Him hope and purpose fill our vision. In God our Father we have the God Who alone is powerful to help and lovingly willing to help. He sends to us the Spirit Who changes us from the inside out so that we empowered to be the people who bring to this broken and grief-riddled world hope and help in the Name of Jesus.

Hear our prayer, O LORD, attend unto our cry—from the ends of the earth we cry to You when our hearts are overwhelmed. Lead us to the Rock, Jesus, Who is higher than the storms, greater than the chaos. Grant Your Spirit to awaken us to be people of prayer and bringers of hope. Mighty God, we long for Your precepts, in Your righteousness give us life and allow us to be Your ambassadors—light and life bringers to this world of hurting. In Jesus’ Name we pray this. Amen.

October 25, 2019 -- Psalm 119:39 -- What is 'reproach?'

Turn away the reproach that I dread,

for your rules are good.

Psalm 119:39 English Standard Version

The reproach of God is the shame that we experience when we have sinned and such sins are exposed in the light of God’s Word, or through proper accountability among the saints. Such reproach falls on us because of sexual sins, or the consequences of our rebellious actions, or the exposure of a lie we have told or the injury our enemies inflict on us—the fact that we have been attacked and we feel defenseless because their accusations are true and where we have failed in our duties their attacks take on a particular vitriol against which we feel helpless..

We dread such reproaches because it shows our weaknesses. We dread such reproaches because it shows we have dishonoured the Name and reputation of God—which is bound up with us as Christians. What we do as Christians can show others the glory of God’s Name or our inactions and our wrong-doing can lead others to conclude there is no power in the Name of God—thus bringing discredit to His Name by our conduct. Understand this, the Living God is Holy, He is glorious and worthy of all praise, no matter what His people do. However, those who are looking for reasons to hate God would use our inappropriate and sinful conduct against us and against God the Merciful.

Yet the Psalmist notes this: the LORD’s rules—actually the original language (Hebrew) states the LORD’s judgements—are good. No matter our conduct God’s judgements are good. He is the source of all good. His judgments are shown most clearly as good in the fact that God the Father, in His great love, sent Jesus to seek and to save lost sinners. Jesus took our punishment on Himself at the cross and gives to us His righteousness. When Jesus prays to the Father on our behalf, He says “Father, forgive them, You have punished their sins upon My Person and now see them as right-living because of My perfections. Credit to them what I have done.”

Oh, weak and wounded sinner, look to Jesus and find in Him relief. Oh weary Christian, scorned and shamed, look to Jesus and find in Him relief and forgiveness full and free. The Spirit of God, sent to us by Jesus, poured over us by the Father, shows to you the truth of the Bible. The Spirit of God reveals your sins so that you will hate such sins more and more and recognize in Jesus Christ you have One Who has saved you. Believe in His Name. You will find the reproach you dread is in fact turned away, Jesus took it all, and gives to us His reputation, His right-standing before the Father in heaven, and His Spirit Who ever helps us to live fully as followers of Jesus. The Spirit stands ready to aid the Christian in battling old lusts and desires and stubbornly clinging sins so that our life and our desires, our will and our actions reflect more of Jesus and His glory.

Thank You, Great Father in Heaven, that You have answered the prayer of this psalmist—our reproach has been turned away in Jesus Christ. Blessed are You, Jesus the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world, for in Your Name we have forgiveness and new life. Spirit of the Living God, fight our battles with us and within us so that we will soldier on as those who know that the rules of God are good and His judgments are the path of salvation and true freedom. Amen.

October 23, 2019 -- Psalm 119:38 -- Fighting the battle of lingering sin

Confirm to your servant your promise

that you may be feared.

Psalm 119:38 English Standard Version

Why does the Sovereign LORD have to be feared? Quite simply because we are constantly being deceived by our own fleshly desires. Here is a helpful quotation:

“The essence of temptation is deceit—to be tempted and to be deceived are the same thing.

“The first degree relates to the mind—it is dragged away from its duties by the deceit of sin.

“The second aim at the affections—they are enticed and entangled.

“The third overcomes the will—the consent of the will is the conception of actual sin.

“The fourth degree disrupts our way of life as sin is born into it.

“The fifth is the flesh’s goal, a hardened life of sin, which leads to eternal death.

“This fifth degree, by God’s grace, is never reached in true believers. God also often aborts conceived sin in the believer’s life (the fourth degree) sparing us many burdens.

Kris Lundgaart the enemy within page 58-59

As New Testament Christians we know the promise of God is that our sins are fully punished in Jesus’ Name. We know that our old self with its sinful nature is being put to death—and this is what must constantly take place. Jesus, by His Word and the gift of the Holy Spirit living within us, gives us the strength we need to fight these battles. Let’s not mince words, it is a mighty battle to be completely faithful to the LORD of Heaven and Earth Who rightly demands 100% allegiance to Himself.

How easily we allow what we consider to be small sins to take hold in the soil of our hearts. Then, we are surprised at the vehemence of our reaction against the things of God when such little sins germinate. To be born again, born above into the love of Christ means that we vigilantly guard our minds, our hearts, and our lives so that sin does not find ready soil.

Why call this “the fear of the LORD”? Because the LORD first loved us, He demonstrated this to us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, therefore we respond to Him in love. Our soul desires Him to be our first and greatest love. The Scripture shows us (as does our own experience) how feeble and weak and untrue our love actually is. Therefore we are afraid to go this alone, in our own strength. We are afraid to bring dishonour to God’s Name. With the psalmist we pray: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 ESV

Just and True are all Your Ways, O God our King. The purity of Your promise and the richness of Your salvation are beyond price and beauty. Confirm to Your servant Your promise, that You may be feared. Give us the courage to confess our sins and the boldness to battle against our fleshly desires so that our thoughts and our words, our activity and our rest may bring You fitting praise in Jesus’ glorious Name. Amen.

October 22, 2019 -- Psalm 119:37 -- Turning from death to life

Turn my eyes from worthless things;

and give me life in your ways.

Psalm 119:37 English Standard Version

Have you ever just surfed through a bunch of TV stations aimlessly searching for something, anything to watch and then been surprised at how much time has elapsed? Have you ever just begun to think about the accomplishments of others and started to feel resentment and envy and then ultimately a day that started well and with a good mood became sour? Richard Baxter phrased it so well, our flesh murmurs against the things of God. It is true, isn’t it? I freely admit my soul murmurs against the things of God. I can think of times when I’d decided to act in good conscience and bless the LORD, and my own laziness began to rise against me and my innate unwillingness to do the things of God was allowed to entangle me and keep me from the good I had purposed to do.

The psalmist is noting something in his prayer—when the LORD enables him to turn his eyes from worthless things then he will receive life in God’s ways. The ways of God revive the soul (Isaiah 57:15). The fact of the matter is that our hearts long for love, our yearning is for significance, leaving a lasting legacy, or doing something of great importance. Yet we settle for sins that diminish us and would humiliate us if they were known to others.

Here is the grace of God: the moment our eyes are fixed on the LORD our Master we find we are loved, profoundly and deeply loved and we are given life in Christ. When we wrestle against our flesh and do battle in order to stay true to our Father, we find our life to be exciting and valued. The best and greatest legacy we can leave behind us is faithfulness to Jesus Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Even if no other person on earth would ever see our faithfulness to Jesus, He alone can bring you delight and He is our Reward.

Shake the lethargy from my bones and the daydreams from my eyes so that I will turn from worthless things, O God my Master. Blessed are You, for in You is life and joy everlasting. Amen.

October 20, 2019 -- Psalm 119:36 -- Inclined to God the Glorious

Incline my heart to your testimonies,

   and not to selfish gain!

Psalm 119:36 English Standard Version

The psalmist is praying that the LORD God will tip the scales of his heart so that his heart will always slide towards the things of God. He is aware that without the touch of God’s mercy his heart will always rush towards selfishness. Our hearts are not neutral. We are not generally good. In fact our hearts are bent on evil all the time. Blaise Pascal, long ago noted: “the heart has reasons that reason knows nothing of”.

Briefly consider these words—the LORD speaking to Job after all of Job’s sufferings—

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Dress for action[a] like a man;
    I will question you, and you make it known to me.

4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
    Tell me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
    Or who stretched the line upon it?
6 On what were its bases sunk,
    or who laid its cornerstone,
7 when the morning stars sang together
    and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

8 “Or who shut in the sea with doors
    when it burst out from the womb,
9 when I made clouds its garment
    and thick darkness its swaddling band,
10 and prescribed limits for it
    and set bars and doors,
11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
    and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?

12 “Have you commanded the morning since your days began,
    and caused the dawn to know its place,
13 that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth,
    and the wicked be shaken out of it?  Job 38 ESV

The weight of God’s glory moves our hearts. We are submitted and submerged at the sheer grandeur of Who He Is. That is the point the psalmist makes, that his heart will not grow cold to the things of God, but tilted by the weight of God's majesty will reverberate with awe and devotion to the LORD of Glory.

If you have time, keep reading through Job 38 and further. What magnificence you will mine there. The Sovereign is not some distant deity, high, far and cold. He is connected with His creation, delighted in the wonders He has made, and keenly aware of all what we do all the while His stateliness and nobility continually are set forth. No corner of the cosmos or millimetre of the earth is free from the weight of His glory.

God of Splendor, before whom the morning stars sing and the angels shout in awe-filled praise, blessed are You. Mighty and Great is Your Name and all honour and praise belong to You. What extravagant mercy You show us in Jesus Christ—that You reveal Your purposes and show us Your salvation. Spirit of the Living, All-Powerful God, incline our hearts to the things of God and the rapturous praise of His Name in Christ Jesus our King and Saviour. Amen.

October 18, 2019 -- Psalm 119:35 -- The Path of Delight

Lead me in the path of your commandments,

for I delight in it.

Psalm 119:35 English Standard Version

Did you see what the psalmist delights in? He prays to be led in the path of the LORD’s commandments for he delights in the path—the word “it” is singular. So the reference is to the word “path”. It is a word that is rich in meaning. Consider a few places where it is used in Scripture:

He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:3

The LORD Who cares for us, His sheep, is the One Who faithfully leads us in His pathway.

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom…

Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. Proverbs 3:1,17

Wisdom personified leads the people of God in the path of pleasantness and peace—this is the blessing of the LORD our Maker upon those who hear and obey Him. Though troubles may pile high and enemies threaten, God Himself is Peace for all who trust in Him. They are assured that nothing can separate them from His great love—all things happen for the refinement of His people.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.

John 14:6

There are several other references to paths and ways in Scripture and Jesus brings these all together showing these find their reference in Himself. Those who refuse the Saviour are on the path to destruction. Yesterday I heard a wonderful sermon and the preacher noted those who march themselves to hell must wade through the blood of the Savior, shed for them—the greatest evidence of His forgiving love for all who believe in Him. They persistently slog along resisting His blessings until at the entrance of the gates of hell they read: “God is love”. Even there they snort and harden their souls against His wide-embracing path.

But God is the delight of all who believe in Him through the revealed path: Jesus. God raises us up to life in Christ. Our brief text is packed full of the extravagant grace we find in Jesus Christ. He is the path of delight, of life, of peace, and of the knowledge of God.

Jesus, our Peace, with the psalmist we pray: Lead us in the path of Your commandments, for in it we delight. As we walk in faith-filled obedience before You the Captain of Salvation, Spirit of Power remove from us stubborn sins and clinging wickedness, so that our steps will be strong and steady and our eyes will be focused on Jesus our soul’s prize and heart’s delight. Thank You, God our Father, that You have made a path open to Yourself so that prodigal daughters and sons can return to Your open-armed embrace. Amen.

October 17, 2019 -- Psalm 119:34 -- Understanding God and Ourselves

Give me understanding that I may keep your law

and observe it with my whole heart.

Psalm 119:34 English Standard Version

What does the psalmist pray to understand?

He prays to understand the waywardness of his own heart.

He prays to understand how he is prone to wander.

He prays to understand what he is serving—is it an idol or is he giving his heart fully and completely in service to the Lord God?

Let me remind you of the opening two verses of this Psalm 119:

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD;

Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with their whole heart… (119:1-2 ESV)

Unless we understand our own sinful hearts, unless we keep tabs on how many ways we find to get out from under the law, we will never truly understand how much we need the LORD. True blessedness is found in keeping His law and observing it with our whole heart. The laws of God allow us to live in harmony with our Creator—He has made this open to us through the blood of Jesus. While we were yet sinners, Jesus took the punishment of God against our sin on His Person. He paid the debt we never could. In Jesus we are set free from condemnation. More than this, Jesus gives to all believers His Spirit—so that the beauty of Jesus and the desire to keep His commands forms in us. So observing the laws of God our King allows us to live in society—even when the whole world may stand against us, we recognize the goodness of Jesus our Savior and the blessings of keeping His commands.

Recently I have been introduced to a Christian 12-step program called “Overcomers”. The fourth step reads: “Make a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.” That has really impacted me. I see how easily we consider ourselves “good enough”. Or we are aware of lingering sins but we figure “they’re not so bad”. It can also happen that we see ourselves clearly, but don’t want to address a sin that might cause us to expose our wrongs to others as we have to confess the sins we have been harbouring. These are the kinds of issues I see in our verse this morning—the Psalmist is longing for understanding—insight into his own life so that he may be fully exposed before the LORD and his own conscience, confess what needs to be cleansed by the blood and begin once again to walk with integrity and joy before God the King, Who is Holy.

Give me understanding, O LORD, my Savior and my King,

that I may keep Your law, realizing its perfections for life with You and for living in society,

and my observance of the Law will spring from a heart fully yielded to You

and aware of the blessings which You give to those who keep Your ways.

Blessed are You, O God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.