This post is part of the series, Blogging Through Psalm 119. Please refer to that post for an index of all entries in this series.
Psalm 119:4949 Remember your word to your servant,
in which you have made me hope. (ESV)
One thing that we are reminded of constantly through Psalm 119 (as we should be), is that our salvation and hope is based upon the promise of God to His people, found in His holy word.
Psalm 119:5050 This is my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise gives me life. (ESV)
His word should be our comfort. Too often I myself worry about things that I shouldn’t, and don’t take comfort in it.
Psalm 119:5151 The insolent utterly deride me,
but I do not turn away from your law. (ESV)
Read any news source for a week, and you are likely to read of some story holding Christianity in derision, especially with regard to God’s law. A quick search for simply the term “Bible” on CNN.com produced a news story headlined “Sunday school teacher dumped for being female.” Other news sources indicate that the story is, at the very least, one-sided. Not surprising at all.
Psalm 119:5252 When I think of your rules from of old,
I take comfort, O Lord. (ESV)
Again, His word should be our comfort. Despite the derision, despite anything else we may face in life, we should comfort ourselves with the memory of His judgments.
Psalm 119:5353 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
who forsake your law. (ESV)
Hm, see the commentary on v. 53. Seriously, though, our pastor preached today on John 8 and talked about how we ought to feel joy in God’s word, which I do, but at the same time, I am completely heartbroken by the epidemic of false teaching that permeates professed Christianity today, not to mention the world outside the “church.”
I see the books, the blogs, the articles, and I see how they are in clear contradiction or denial of scripture, and yet they continue. Why? Because we are afraid to speak up. “Tolerance” is the byword of postmodern culture. Tolerance of everything except a claim to any exclusive truth, such as “No one comes to the Father except through [Christ].”
“Division” is the only recognized sin in the “church,” today, despite His words in Luke 12:51 - “Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.”
“But Paul told us to avoid division,” we are told. Yes, note his words well in Romans 16:17 - “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.” Note those words well. Division does not “flow both ways.” Division does not come from naming false teaching, or even from naming false teachers, but from the false teaching itself.
Beloved, it is not love to allow the lost to continue in their error… As Spurgeon wrote:
It is no proof of tenderness to shut one’s eyes to the awful doom of the ungodly. Compassion is far better shown in trying to save sinners than in trying to make things pleasant all round. Oh that we were all more distressed as we think of the portion of the ungodly in the lake of fire! The popular plan is to shut your eyes and forget all about it, or pretend to doubt it; but this is not the way of the faithful servant of God.
Psalm 119:5454 Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my sojourning. (ESV)
Is there anything sweeter than a hymn or song of praise based on the Word itself? Remember Paul’s words to the church at Colosse: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16.) No “Jesus or my girlfriend” songs in Paul’s hymnal…
Psalm 119:5555 I remember your name in the night, O Lord,
and keep your law. (ESV)
It is easy (or easier, at least) to remember His name in the light of day, when others can see us, and when we think He can see us. But what about in the night? What about in the darkness when we think (wrongly, of course) that even He cannot see? Do we keep His law then?
Psalm 119:5656 This blessing has fallen to me,
that I have kept your precepts. (ESV)
If we keep God’s precepts, shall we not have our reward? Isn’t that a reward in itself? Amen!
Next in the series: Psalm 119:57-64 “Heth”
