“Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for Your decrees.” -Psalm 119:117

Like the previous verse, this is another plea for help. The psalmist cries out for more of the Lord’s grace to carry him through all of life’s ups and downs. If his faith must be tried, the writer asks God to refine it in the flames. God keeps His children close to Him even when we are not aware of it. This is the beauty of how our Father operates. It isn’t based on our performance or small faith whether the Lord decides to extend compassion or not. His ocean of mercy is deep and wide. The psalmist prays this knowing God will deliver him. Because his hope is rooted in God, the outcome for spiritual protection is certain. The true believer perseveres (sometimes it feels like plodding) because God will always uphold him through whatever circumstances he will face.

It reminds me of the time Paul cried out in a similar way when he suffered multiple hardships. In his second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul writes of his trials thus far and how God had delivered him over and over. He writes,

“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, Who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us.” (2 Corinthians 1:8-10)

I like how Paul’s faith declares God’s continued deliverance. The Christian life is not a free pass in exemption from suffering and temptations. When one becomes a believer, we sign up for more affliction, pain, misunderstanding and rejection (John 15:18-25). We taste of Christ’s sufferings temporarily on earth as we will taste of His glory one day in Heaven forever. The bitter becomes sweet in light of God’s promises.

Like Paul and the psalmist, we can confidently petition for the Lord to be near us in our own distresses.  Nothing is hidden from His sight, but especially a saint in distress. He hems us in, carrying His children in grace. God the Father is sure to uphold His children to the very end, teaching us to trust Him through His written Word.

Grace upon grace,

April

Growing deeper: Psalm 23; Psalm 139:1-10; Isaiah 40:27-31; 43:1-7; Lamentations 3:19-26

“Sustain me according to Your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.” -Psalm 119:116

The psalmist knows he cannot fight his enemies alone, nor can he pursue God without the Lord sustaining him. Here are two very different outcomes- with God at the helm, his faith is preserved. Without God’s grace and mercy, all hopes are dashed to the rocks, like a ship without a captain to guide through safe passages amid a sea of turmoil. The writer is asking for God’s grace to persevere when life gets hard. This is why he cries out for the Lord to remember His promises toward him. This kind of prayer also serves to help the one in need recall God’s promises to them. Because the Lord never forgets His promises, the outcome of this plea is for the Christian to anchor their trials in what we know to be true of God. 

Jesus promised a life abundant for believers. What is life abundant for the Christian? We still have sorrows and trials on earth, some of them quite significant. What distinguishes a full life for the believer? What truly sustains us when we grow weary in life? First it is helpful to remember Who dwells in us and with us. Christ Immanuel makes His home in the heart of every Christian. God promises to never forsake His own. His Spirit guides, teaches, convicts, and encourages us. We are the rich ones no matter what our bank account says. The peace of sins forgiven once and for all, the joy of being deeply loved, and the compassion demonstrated by God toward helpless sinners is experiencing life abundant. The best part is the gifts in Christ will last forever. If you are in Christ then God is pleased with you because He has said how He is well pleased with His own Son (Matthew 3:16-17). You are beloved because Jesus is beloved by the Father. Jesus exchanged our filthy garments for His robe of righteousness. Now when God looks at you, He sees His own Son. What grace!

The next time your past sins accuse you as one condemned, when you feel unloved, without purpose, or your burdens seem too heavy, pray this verse back to the Lord. Ask Him to help you remember His promises toward you. God never forgets, but how much more does it please Him when we speak back His own will and thoughts toward us. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus encourages His followers to pray to the Father. For He truly hears, cares, and receives our pleas, confessions, adorations, and thanksgivings as a sweet aroma before His Throne. Pray for God to sustain you and He is sure to do it. Your spirit was never more protected and cared for in the Strong Arms of the Everlasting Father.

Grace upon grace,

April

Growing deeper: Matthew 6:9-13; 7:7-11; John 17; Romans 8:1-4; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Revelation 5:6-8

“Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God!” -Psalm 119:115

This verse has two contrasting actions- ‘away’ and ‘keep’. The objects in which the psalmist is referring to are worth observing. The writer desires to separate himself from sin and wickedness. This is why he wants distance from corrupted characters who could potentially influence him, or continue his own suffering through persecution. What a helpful verse to remind fellow Christians who to surround ourselves with. What kind of company we keep is important to the Lord, so it should be an area of interest to us as well. 

Paul wrote in his letter to the Corinthians, “Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). He was addressing an issue in which some were disputing the resurrection of the dead, which would imply that Jesus did not resurrect. On this vital truth the house of faith stands or falls. So Paul went on to say the people we spend a lot of time with will influence our thinking, for good or bad. This doesn’t mean we refrain from relationships with unbelievers. The Gospels are full of stories in which Jesus ate with sinners, healed the unclean and showed compassion to the “worst of the worst”. It is a beautiful reminder of what we all once were in our sin (Ephesians 2:1-10). Yet the intimate fellowship Jesus chose consisted of 3 men. Though they too were sinners, Peter, James and John served the Lord. They were Christians and simply loved Jesus. 

The writer of Psalm 119 desires holiness, to be set apart for God’s use. Therefore he seeks to remember and obey God’s Word alone. The Lord establishes him in grace by awakening the desire to be holy and then fight for it, as the world, his flesh, and the devil seek to destroy this pilgrim’s light. What a gracious reminder that as we follow our Father, the company we keep on earth can influence our worldview as well. Like Eve in the Garden, who chose to entertain the serpent’s seed of doubt, “Did God really say…?” and then acted on the lies told to her.  Let us learn from her example and instead persevere like the psalmist, boldly declaring to be set apart from evil which corrupts our fellowship with the Lord. Choose good friends wisely. Let them be an encouragement to you and not a detour in your faith. 

Grace upon grace,

April

Growing deeper: Psalm 1

“You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in Your Word.” -Psalm 119:114

God not only directs our steps, but He becomes our rest, security and protector. His Name, Jehovah Sabaoth, means Lord of Hosts. He is the Commander of a multitude of angels, a vast army who does His bidding. God fights for His people, protecting our very souls. With God we can never lose our salvation if we truly belong to Him. He is faithful to keep His elect to the very end. This is why the psalmist can hope in God’s Word to sustain him through the valleys, the mountaintops, and everything in between. It is confidence in what God has done for him, is presently doing in his life, and what the Almighty will do. His promises are certain.

When Corrie ten Boom, her sister and father began hiding Jews during the Nazi occupation in WWII, their faith in God’s promises held them fast. He was their Refuge, a Hiding Place, so it seemed they too should provide a hiding place for others in their home, literally and spiritually. The ten Boom’s put their hope in God’s Word. This is what gave them courage to take such risks. The prophecy and promises in Isaiah 32 inspired the name for their home, The Hiding Place.

“Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice. Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land.” (vv. 1-2)

One day King Jesus will reign and there will be no corrupt leaders among His service. Jesus will reign in righteousness and His people will respond in perfect righteousness. God’s promises and immutable character should comfort every Christian pilgrim. We can say with surety along with Corrie, her family, and the psalmist, “I have put my hope in Your Word.”

Grace upon grace,

April

Growing deeper: Isaiah 32

You Are My Hiding Place- Selah

“I hate double-minded men, but I love Your law. You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in Your Word. Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God! Sustain me according to Your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed. Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for Your decrees. You reject all who stray from Your decrees, for their deceitfulness is in vain. All the wicked of the earth You discard like dross; therefore I love Your statutes. My flesh trembles in fear of You; I stand in awe of Your laws.” 

Psalm 119:113-120 Samekh

Who is God in this passage? What does this reveal about His nature? One of the most merciful things the Lord does for His children is refine them. The tension is clear for the psalmist as it is for every Christian pilgrim. We are constantly being pulled toward our flesh and enemies, the lovers of this world, or running toward our Refuge, who is God Himself. There is no such thing as a stagnant believer. Complacency or perseverance actively sweeps the soul into the ocean tide. God must allow our spiritual muscles to be tried if we are to ever grow in His grace. God is the Refiner of souls. He sees to it that all impurities in the Christian are burned away like dross, leaving only a pure crown of His glory. God loves His children deeply. It would be unloving if we didn’t go through flames of refinement. As our Shield and Protector, God is faithful to sustain us so we are not consumed by the heat of trials, our enemies, or the weariness of life. It may be painful and require discipline, but the school of sanctification will produce in us a holy quality. His saints will one day be given a crown of gold. This honor I will in turn lay before my King’s Throne. I am unworthy yet He has been so good and faithful to me. This is the God I know. 

Grace upon grace,

April

Growing deeper: Isaiah 43:1-7; Hebrews 12:3-13; Revelation 4:9-11

“My heart is set on keeping Your decrees to the very end.” -Psalm 119:112

As the psalmist looks ahead to the end of his earthly days, his desire to finish well is of most importance to him. This should be the cry of every child of God who longs to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” when we meet our Master face to face (Matthew 25:14-30). Only spiritual maturity cultivates this desire in a Christian. Perseverance is not easy, especially with the slings and arrows of this life. Yet God has graciously given us His Word and the Holy Spirit, as well as other means of grace, to faithfully guide us to the end, fighting the good fight.  Like Christian in Pilgrim’s Progress we shall have our faith become sight if we keep on the narrow path. We submit our will under the Lordship of God’s will, trusting His wisdom and care for us.

Jesus perfectly obeyed His Father by submitting to His will to suffer on the sinner’s behalf. Was it easy for our Lord? Of course not. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane three times for God to take away the bitter cup of wrath He was about to drink. Yet Jesus says, “not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39).  He is our example to follow. He set His face toward Jerusalem to endure the wrath of God so every believer does not have to. In prophesying what the Messiah would encounter Isaiah writes “I offered my back to those who beat Me, My cheeks to those who pulled out My beard; I did not hide My face from mocking and spitting. Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore I have set My face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame” (Isaiah 50:6-7). We know that Jesus’ sacrifice resulted in God’s Glory and the eternal good for His elect. Praise God for Christ’s obedience. Praise God for the psalmist’s determination to live a life of holiness. May this be our desire too. Because of what Jesus has done for sinful, damned humanity, what other response is there? The outcome of setting our hearts to obedience will culminate in the joy of living in God’s presence forever and ever (Psalm 16:11).

Grace upon grace,

April

Growing deeper: Isaiah 53:10-12; Luke 9:51; John 13:1; 14:15-26

‘Trust and Obey’ hymn

“Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget Your law. The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from Your precepts.” -Psalm 119:109-110

The psalmist faced flesh and blood enemies who hunted him. He was a wanted man. If penned by David, then we know how Saul kept him on the run for years, seeking to kill him. Yet evil will not prevail, not ultimately, such as in David’s circumstances or ones which you might be facing. As believers, we get to know how the Story ends. Sometimes when I’m reading a particularly interesting book and not quite sure how it will end I flip to the last pages to find out. But in this case, we have the great privilege of knowing the cosmic drama ends with victory for King Jesus.

This is why the psalmist clings to God’s law and precepts. Hope is his companion. Faith his anchor. God keeps the souls of His children safe for eternity. Our enemies may plant traps to sabotage our reputation, take all our earthly blessings or even cause us physical harm. Even so, the haters of God who seek to wipe us out and shut us up cannot take away our unseen riches. Salvation, peace, joy and love for God are untouchable by human hands. Nothing can separate us from God. In Christ we are eternally His (Romans 8:31-39). Therefore, the psalmist chooses to persevere in the Lord, digging in deeper than before. Affliction has a way of drawing out honey from the sourwood tree, a tree known for its bitter tasting leaves. Sometimes the enemy’s intentions have the opposite effect as history has shown us. When God’s people are massively persecuted, the holy fires are stoked, spreading like wildfire in spiritual revival.

Christians will not be overcome by their enemies. The Bible says so. For the believer, adversity will tighten our grip onto truth as we go deeper in worshipping the Great and Good Shepherd.

Grace upon grace,

April

Growing deeper: Psalm 23; Matthew 10:24-28; Romans 12:17-21; 1 John 4:4

“Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me Your laws.” -Psalm 119:108

Our acts of worship in our own strength are feeble attempts before a Holy God. We are easily distracted, becoming spiritually lethargic, sometimes simply going through the motions. Our praises can become watered down. The Lord has to move mightily in our hearts before we can have a posture of praise before Him. How does He do this? First God extends mercy to the sin-sick soul by showing him his need for a Savior and then God acts by delivering the one who cries out for salvation. Our Father receives the lost sheep and gives each one His Holy Spirit as a Guide, Comforter, Counselor and Friend. Through the Spirit’s power, He enables His children to shower Him with acceptable worship. Even then, we are tied to the flesh, dying to our old nature each day. As the psalmist asked for help in proper praise, so should we. It is part of learning what the heavenly creatures already do day and night (Revelation 4:6-11). The believer is then justified, gaining access into the Throne room of God. We are being sanctified here on earth, learning how to properly come before the King with offerings of worship (Romans 12:1-2). Our Helper the Holy Spirit will guide us into sincere praise as God grows us in His grace.

Along with presenting a sacrifice of praise into the House of the Lord, the psalmist asks for more instruction. The earnest student never tires of probing a subject he loves. Likewise, the psalmist longs for God to teach him more, since the wisdom of God is boundless (Romans 11:33-36). The link between how we worship God with our lips and possessing a teachable heart is humility. Pride has no place among God’s people who seek Only His way. The soul which receives holy instruction will have no other response than to burst into songs of praise to our Great God! May God’s grace overwhelm us to recite this prayer-verse back to Him like the psalmist. May the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts honor Him today.

Grace upon grace,

April 

‘Praise Him! Praise Him!’ by Fanny Crosby