I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved;
Because they kept not thy word (Psa 119.158).
“Mind your own business.” “Judge not.” “To each his own.” How does these slogans strike you? Do you generally agree or disagree with these sentiments?
Personally, I am torn. For me, it all depends how they are intended. Each one is either right from the Bible or very close to its maxims, and yet the one who quips them today may mean something very wrong.
Continue reading
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
Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes:
For their deceit is falsehood (Psa 119.118).
One of the things which discerning saints love to confess to the Lord in prayer is his sovereignty over the evil of this world, that “though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.”1 God’s wisdom and patience accounts for the prevalence and continuance of moral evil in the world today, not bad judgment or lack of power on his part.
In that spiritual knowledge we can persevere in faith and obedience to God’s Word, despite the difficulty of nonconformity to this present age. One may be greatly encouraged to keep walking in the right direction if he knows that the crowd walking past him is pressing toward their ultimate ruin.
Continue reading
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.
Continue reading
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.
So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me:
For I trust in thy word (Psa 119.42).
The statement, “I don’t care what people think about me,” may reflect an unholy attitude. A man might say this because he has no concern about others, or because he is given to some life-dominating sin, or because he is apathetic about God’s reputation in the world.
Admittedly, a true Christian believer is one who has repented of the fear of man, even if remnants of that idolatry remain in his heart. A true believer has embraced Jesus as the greatest treasure, and is willing to forsake all others to follow Him. A true believer is characteristically resolved to believe the truth and do right no matter how unpopular it may be. All this is good and necessary, and yet we must remain concerned about how the unbelieving world views us. It is godly to desire ultimate vindication, for this the psalmist’s exemplary ambition of in our Spirit-inspired text.
Continue reading
Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, Which do err from thy commandments.
The faithful Christian must always keep in mind the true character of his spiritual enemies from God’s point of view in order to maintain righteous and vigilant opposition to them and their principles. We face the perennial temptation of frustration because they seem to get away with their misdeeds, and this may turn to envy because they even seem happier, more blessed, for having done the wrong. Without constantly exercising faith and being reminded of the true spiritual state of things, we may easily yield to the force of such axioms as “do what makes you feel good” and “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.” See how David warns himself and his hearers against this kind of spiritual seduction, for example, in Psa 37.1-2, 7-9, 16-17, 35-38, and Asaph does the same in Psa 73.1-5, 12-13, 16-19, 27-28.
Continue reading