Category Archives: Opposition

Courageous Through Scripture (Psa 119.161)

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Princes have persecuted me without a cause:
But my heart standeth in awe of thy word (Psa 119.161).

Godly courage is the universal mark of true believers. Once a cowardly sinner has experienced a grace-wrought inner transformation so that he is fundamentally turned from the fear of idols to love of the true and living God, then you may behold a man of radically changed loyalties. “The people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits;” though no less a terrifying ruler than Antiochus Epiphanes1 opposes them, yet they are prepared to die for their faith (Dan 11.32).
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God Nearer Than Our Enemies (Psa 119.150-51)

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They draw nigh that follow after mischief:
They are far from thy law.
Thou art near, O LORD;
And all thy commandments are truth (Psa 119.150-51).

Each afternoon during my first year of elementary school, I had to walk a couple of blocks home. While I cannot recall the specifics, some older boys began to bully me between the school and my house. I felt traumatized to some degree until my friend Kenny, older and stronger than the bullies, began to accompany me each day on that walk. Nothing bad ever happened when Kenny was with me. And so even though I knew the bullies were never far away, as long as I had Kenny right by my side, my heart was at peace.
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Faith Withstanding Disapproval (Psa 119.141)

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I am small and despised:
Yet do not I forget thy precepts (Psa 119.141).

“No man is an island,” it has been said. Virtually everyone is involved in a complex web of interpersonal relationships where we influence others, and others influence us—even people we do not know personally, but whose ideas capture the public imagination, or who leave the impress of their perspectives on their works of writing, speaking, engaging in commerce, governing, voting, and even making music. This communal reality is occasionally helpful, but so often in our perverse generation it works insidiously against our trusting and following Jesus Christ.
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Vexed Over Others’ Disobedience to God (Psa 119.136)

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Rivers of waters run down mine eyes,
Because they keep not thy law (Psa 119.136).

Righteous Lot was vexed, that is, greatly distressed with the filthy conversation or sensual conduct of the wicked Sodomites (2 Pet 2.7 AV, cf. ESV). To an unwarranted degree in my opinion, modern preachers often cast him as the carnal compromiser. For example, that false teacher Charles Ryrie who advocates easy-believism castigates Lot as an “uncommitted believer” who “never seemed to repent of much of anything . . . was selfish . . . lacked character . . . [with a] testimony . . . of little value.” Continue reading →

The Word for the Vulnerable (Psa 119.95)

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The wicked have waited for me to destroy me:
But I will consider thy testimonies (Psa 119.95).

Your mind must be absolutely fixed on God and his Word to pass through this brief time of your earthly sojourn well. The more distracted by dangers around you, the more apt you will be to lose your way, succumb to fear, and desert your charge.

The psalmist was acutely aware that he lived amidst enemies, many secluded, and all set upon his destruction. Someone said, “It is not paranoia if everyone is really out to get you.” Maybe so, but there are certain brave souls, though surrounded by enemies, who are still not paranoid (i.e., extremely fearful), but calm, trusting, and fearless. They did not become courageously faithful by obsession with the hostile crowd. Rather, they look to God, hearing his Word, and putting it into practice—however lonely they may find themselves as saints.
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Postures of Spiritual Triumph (Psa 119.86)

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All thy commandments are faithful:
They persecute me wrongfully; help thou me (Psa 119.86).

Heroism often appears in a crisis moment, but this is but its momentary manifestation. Its underpinnings are good character quietly growing largely unnoticed in spite of a thousand deterrents which effectively suppress the potential greatness of others. That daily, sustained, disciplined virtue which prepares one to shine in the convergence of opportunity and challenge deserves more admiration than it commonly receives.

It is said, “Sow a thought, and you reap an act; sow an act, and you reap a habit; sow a habit, and you reap a character; sow a character, and you reap a destiny,”1 but the destiny gets all the attention.
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Weary of Persecution (Psa 119.84)

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How many are the days of thy servant?
When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?

Saul the Pharisee was a persecutor of the early Christians until he met the risen Lord on the road to Damascus. Describing himself since that day of his conversion, Paul wrote to Timothy:

But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

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Resolved Before Enemies (Psa 119.78)

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Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause:
But I will meditate in thy precepts (Psa 119.78).

“The test of character is what it takes to stop you” (Bob Jones). Anyone can join the popular consensus, but standing alone for truth is a mark of real faith. Leadership is essentially the inner fortitude to blaze a righteous trail and the compassion to call others to follow. A true leader doesn’t wait to do right until others are ready.

This kind of fearless determination arouses enemies, and then one’s resolve will be severely tested. Will you press on or wither under criticism? The psalmist in this verse sets an example of faith and holiness.
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Overcoming the Slanderers (Psa 119.69)

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The proud have forged a lie against me:
But I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart (Psa 119.69).

God’s kingdom triumphs on a battlefield of hostile forces. The ancient contest appears in each generation among men, and in each man’s soul. Not until the end of this age and the arrival of the new heavens and the new earth will all the saints be able to love God and one another unhindered by remaining sin and unmolested by Satan’s minions. For now, as the old saying goes, “No good deed goes unpunished.”
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