“My soul faints with longing for Your salvation, but I have put my hope in Your Word.” -Psalm 119:81

The purpose of life is to know, love and serve God. This means our existence matters. Yet it is a fruitless life, chasing the wind, apart from God. The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever as the Westminster Shorter Catechism states. The psalmist is fully aware of God as substance and sustainer of life, over our physical bodies and nourishment for the soul. This is why his deepest desire is to move closer to the Heavenly King. He is our strength. Also, as David’s (likely the writer of this psalm) enemies surround him relentlessly, his reaction is to cry out to God who delivers. He does not tailspin into fear but deliberately places his trust in the Sovereign Lord. Puritan William Gurnall wrote, “The world will beget a thousand cares and fears, but cannot quiet any of them.” So where do we go when we feel afraid, weary, disappointed or hopeless? 

Go to Jesus. Remember the dear price our Lord paid on the cross so that we no longer have to be mastered by sin and fear. Our salvation is only in Christ (Acts 4:12). Even the psalmist looked forward to a day when the Messiah would fulfill the promises of God. We have the advantage of looking back to Calvary to see what Jesus the Messiah has done. The certain hope of every believer lay with Jesus who showed us the full extent of His love through His life, death and resurrection. May God strengthen our faith in Him and kindle an inward fire in us. May the Lord enlarge our longing for Him, continually renew our mind through Scripture, and move mightily in us like this psalmist.

Grace upon grace,

April

“May my heart be blameless toward Your decrees, that I may not be put to shame.” Psalm 119:80

The psalmist seeks righteousness. He longs for it. To be made clean once and for all is the soul cry of every human. Unbelievers seek worldly solutions, justify their sins, or profess unbelief. By refusing to acknowledge divine authority, the unbeliever reasons they do not have to submit to such authority. But this reasoning is marred based on subjective truth rather than absolute truth, because the God of the Universe does indeed exist and we must all give account to Him for our actions one way or another (1 Peter 4:5).

Christians seek God’s face. God gives every one of His children the desire to pursue Him and live before His Throne. Only Jesus’ blood can cleanse you and me. Only Christ’s righteousness frees us to walk blameless. We are unworthy yes, but we are also recipients of His grace. The beautiful truth is that when God the Father looks at me He sees Jesus’ robe of righteousness. It sufficiently and perfectly covers me. Although I still sin, being tied to my flesh, it is no longer my master, or who God has called me to be. All in Christ are new creations. Like snake skin, we shed our old nature and put on the new. God has promised to renew my desires, thoughts and actions the more I seek Him. He is faithful to complete the work He has started in each and every one of His children (Philippians 1:6). 

Like the psalmist, let this be our heart cry, to walk worthy as sons and daughters of the King. Let us not grieve the Holy Spirit with sinful ways and shame the work of Jesus on our behalf. Pray for the Lord’s help to honor Him in loving obedience to His commands. He is certain to grant any request in line with His will (1 John 5:14-15). And what could delight Him more than to see His children asking to follow Him with a blameless heart? May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing in His sight, Our LORD, our Rock and Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).

Grace upon grace,

April

“May those who fear You turn to me, those who understand Your statutes.” -Psalm 119:79

In contrast to the last verse where the psalmist does not pursue close friendship with the mockers, rebels and compromisers, here he seeks fellowship with other lovers of God. Why does he want that? Because people grounded in truth are a blessing to their spiritual family. Christians who take seriously the “one another” commands in Scripture toward our spiritual family will operate like the body of Christ before an unbelieving world. What a testimony to actually look like a cohesive healthy functioning Body! We belong to each other as we belong to God. He has designed us as His Bride, the Church.

So when we can’t see eye to eye on secondary, tertiary issues and so on, let us not become bitter, resentful or judgmental toward our brother or sister in the Lord. God loves them too and Jesus also died for them. When it is hard to love one another, remember how unlovely you were before Christ saved you and even now in your unlovely moments, that Christ does not send you a bill of divorce from Him! We look over offenses, we are quick to forgive and slow to anger. Satan would love nothing more than to fracture Christ’s body into a million pieces. Let us go back to the basics of the primary Gospel issue that unifies the Church. Start there then ask the Spirit to help you practice the “one another” directives within the Body of Christ that Jesus loves so much He was willing to sacrifice His life for us.

Grace upon grace,

April

“May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on Your precepts.” -Psalm 119:78

 When the psalmist is falsely maligned he entrusts himself to the Perfect Judge. Instead of taking matters into his own hands for revenge he leaves room for God’s justice. This is the same message Paul writes in Romans 12:17-21:

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” 

It is wonderful to see how connected the Old Testament and New Testament are. The same message comes from One Author. Like Paul, the psalmist is so sure of God’s justice to be measured out accordingly that he goes back to studying the Scriptures! The wicked cannot win here. If the dogs of Satan cannot secure your allegiance with them their tactic is to worry, mock and persecute the children of God. Believers deeply rooted will not look on their trials with wringing hands, but will look upward with raised hands. They will worship and trust the Lord in the storms and in calmer days. Our responses to conflict, persecution and in peacetime all are part of the Lord’s school for conforming His people to Christlikeness. 

Grace upon grace,

April 

“Do not snatch the Word of Truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in Your laws.” -Psalm 119:43

The psalmist has tasted the sweetness of God’s Word. He prays to always be fed. Feeding our hungry souls with truth will blossom into love, desire and a longing for more. For the spirit which is lazy in discipline, the delight of God’s Word will diminish. The one who seeks will increase in spiritual hunger, sharply sensing the goodness of Scripture. The psalmist prays for more blessing, hoping with firm confidence the Lord will not decline his heart’s desire.

“I will always obey Your law, for ever and ever.” -Psalm 119:44

It isn’t enough to be only a hearer and seeker of truth. One must be a doer of God’s commands as well. This is where our faith becomes practical to everyday life. Even though the psalmist is boldly resolved to obey God’s laws forever, it is with the help of His Spirit that any of us live in obedience.

Connecting with the previous verse, the root of fruit is desire. We want to obey Christ because we love Him (John 14:15). He has appointed us to bear fruit for His glory which occurs as we operate in His wisdom, strength and power and not our own. As you and I abide with God, He will help us live out this verse like the psalmist. 

Grace upon grace,

April 

Grow deeper: John 15:1-17

“May Your unfailing love come to me, O Lord, Your salvation according to Your promise;” -Psalm 119:41

Unfailing love. Steadfast love. Mercies. These are phrases used to translate this verse. The psalmist desires to see God’s love and mercy follow him all the days of his life. The treasures of salvation are: Jesus’ imputed righteousness, never-ending secure love, and fresh mercies each day. The promises of God are as certain as the rising of the sun. 

“then I will answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in Your Word.” -Psalm 119:42

Our lives will testify to the good work God is doing in us and put our enemies to shame. Though you and I are not perfect, God’s faithfulness and power will help us live before men in such a way to silence their false accusations. If you are to be hated, let it be because you take up your cross and follow Christ. If our Master was mistreated, let us too be worthy of such honor.

Grace upon grace,

April 

Grow deeper: John 15:18-21

“May Your unfailing love come to me, O Lord, Your salvation according to Your promise;

then I will answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in Your Word.

Do not snatch the Word of Truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in Your laws.

I will always obey Your law, for ever and ever.

I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out Your precepts.

I will speak of Your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame,

for I delight in Your commands because I love them.

I lift up my hands to Your commands, which I love, and I meditate on Your decrees.” -Psalm 119:41-48 (Waw)

This is a love letter to our King. The psalmist has tasted and seen that the Lord is good. His Word is sweeter than honey. This is also a prayer for God to hold him fast especially under persecution. He prays for the Lord to never take the truth away from him. This is where he is happiest and content despite the arrows that fly around him. He will not lose heart as long as God is with him. 

We serve a loving and merciful God. He keeps His promises, reminding us of the truths we’ve been taught. He calls us not just to obey Him but to learn to delight in Him as well. The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, “What is the chief end of man?” Answer: The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. The psalmist is an example of how we live this out even when others turn against us. We are not deterred- God is still worthy of our worship at all times. The psalm writer is not ashamed of His God but speaks of Him whenever he has opportunity. Likewise, we cannot keep such goodness to ourselves, but must tell others what God has done through the Gift of His Son, Jesus, for our eternal redemption. By delighting in God’s wonders and His Word, sharing the Gospel and preaching it to ourselves each day, we glorify our Father and enjoy His Greatest Gift, Jesus Christ. 

Grace upon grace,

April 

“Take away the disgrace I dread, for Your laws are good.” -Psalm 119:39

The disgrace he dreads is God’s judgment. The psalmist takes sin seriously. He knows God’s ways are best and longs to always obey. Yet like the apostle Paul, he still contends with his flesh, lamenting as Paul did, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Romans 7:15). David confesses God’s laws are good and right. This singular verse can serve as a prayer for us as well, seeking God’s help to walk in His ways. Having said that, believers know their salvation is secure in Christ and we are no longer condemned (Romans 8:1). So we can echo such a prayer-verse as part of our sanctification to take off the old and put on the new nature. In this way we are being renewed day by day to reflect the glory of our Savior (2 Corinthians 3:18; 4:16-18).

“How I long for Your precepts! Preserve my life in Your righteousness.” -Psalm 119:40

What a gift to long for something good, true and holy. Without the Lord life has no meaning. God provides this desire in each of His saints but it is our responsibility to keep seeking God every day. Love blooms here. The fruit of perseverance is love. As the psalmist seeks God, he wants more of Him, longing for His Presence. He prays for the Lord to preserve his life according to His righteousness. We all want our lives to count, to know we matter in a world that seems purposeless. God dignifies our lives, our very souls, with His imprint of righteousness on us. As a king uses his signet ring to verify his signature, so God has sealed every one of His children with Christ’s blood. Our lives are eternally preserved in His. Praise Jesus!

Grace upon grace,

April

“Do good to Your servant, and I will live; I will obey Your Word.

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law.

I am a stranger on earth; do not hide Your commands from me.

My soul is consumed with longing for Your law at all times. 

You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed and who stray from Your commands.

Remove from me scorn and contempt, for I keep Your statutes.

Though rulers sit together and slander me, Your servant will meditate on Your decrees.

Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.”

Psalm 119:17-24 (Gimel)

 

This portion is a prayer for the Lord’s quickening- a personal spiritual revival. The psalmist knows what is good for him to truly live as God intended- by following His ways. He asks the Father to give him spiritual vision, an understanding of the law. As we grow in knowledge of God’s Word we are equipped to navigate life’s perilous trials, discern minute decisions, and rightly enjoy God’s blessings. The psalmist has a desire to live in holiness because he loves his God. 

Even when he is persecuted for seeking God, the psalmist resolves to persevere in the Lord’s commands because he has experienced God’s love and mercy. He can trust his Father with perfect justice. The Lord will also tether us to Himself through His Word. He holds you fast even when slanderers come. God is our home in a foreign land. He will counsel you as you meditate on His truth. In the interim of his pilgrimage, the psalmist finds solace in going to the words of God. To the psalmist it is like finding a piece of home in a strange land. This is our comfort too- Christ is always near.

 

Grace upon grace,

April