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  • Life in the Eternal Word (Psalm 119:81-88)

    By Steve Sering

    Have you ever been despairing of life? Where you feel like you can’t go on any longer? When your heart seems to faint within and your mind spirals out of control? I and many Christians over the centuries have been there. One such believer was British Pastor Charles Spurgeon who lived during the 19th century. He endured intense bouts of depression which caused him great distress in his ministry. He had a gift of encouraging suffering saints through his teaching. The Psalmist in chapter 119 verses 81-88 also had this gift.

    From the very beginning of this stanza, the psalmist cries, “My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word” (v. 81). This familiar sentiment peppers the entire chapter and provides an anchor in the uncertain currents of life. Verse 82 is an appeal to God for comfort amidst affliction. Longing to see God, in a sense, and experience his faithfulness in every situation is what every Christian must strive for daily. I certainly am preaching to myself too! Verse 83 is a metaphor of one’s energies “drying up” like an old, unused wineskin but still longing for life from the Word. To remember the promises of God in the Word is like a medicine for the most deadly disease. As one may be eaten up with cancer yet still beam with hope in the assurance of the gospel. Our circumstances do not determine the power of God’s truth. God’s truth determines the pitiful nature of anything opposed to Yahweh, our covenant-keeping God. 

    Verses 84-85 reveal the desperate situation of the author. Perhaps King David was on the run from Saul or his son Absalom, who both tried to kill him. The “insolent” disregarded his kingly status and thus disrespected God who chose him as Israel’s first true king. God promised to preserve David’s kingly line forever, culminating in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. As the “Anointed One” Jesus carried on David’s lineage and redeemed humanity desperate for a Savior. The author was looking for vindication from God, the Defender of his people. Verses 86-87 show that these persecutors lied to the man of God and nearly took his life. You cannot keep a godly man down! With all of heaven on the side of the saint, no force in hell or on earth can destroy him! To God be the glory! How does one get this confidence? It is through the daily reading and heeding of the Word of God. 

    Finally, in verse 88, the author circles back to familiar ground. He says, “In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.” It has been said that love is the most powerful force in the universe. I believe this is true, but we must place the power rightly from its divine source, God himself. The Apostle John wrote so eloquently this truth: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8). God’s eternal love fuels the tank for our finite love. It is impossible to love God from an unredeemed, unregenerated heart. When God moves in, self moves out. Our hearts are changed and we can call upon that love on the dark days. Lord help us lean on you when the bottom drops out and we can’t see the light. You will never forsake us!

    Application Questions:

    1. How does God’s promise to love you in your trial motivate you to encourage your community of believers?
    2. How can you preach the truth better to yourself when you face dark days that sap your strength?

  • Shape Me, O Lord (Psalm 119:73-80)

    As we have walked in God’s Word through Psalm 119, it has been clear there is power in the Word of God, both for understanding it and applying it to our lives. It has the power to shape us because the Word of God is written by the God of the Word, namely the God who spoke everything into being. Just as God formed us as we see with Adam in creation, God shapes us with His Word. The manifold reasons He shapes us include: so that we may gain understanding (verse 73) and that we may hope in His Word (verse 74). As a result of our hope in God, God’s people rejoice! This does not discount that challenges and suffering come in this life. On the contrary, hoping in God’s Word shines a spotlight on the reality that the only lasting hope cannot come from a set of circumstances but only the Savior, who is Jesus Christ. Because we see the righteousness of God in Christ and the faithfulness of God to keep His promises, we can come to the Lord in prayer with confidence He hears us, especially in times of affliction. Yet, it is not only that the Lord hears our prayers but that is He comforts us. Verse 76 makes clear that God’s steadfast love comforts, and this is a promise God made to His servant and a truth we can hold onto during times we need comfort. Because God has shaped us, we find our prayers have been shaped by the Word. The way the psalmist lists his prayer is instructive for us, because he prays for mercy (v. 77), for justice to wrongdoing (v. 78), and for the testimony of God in the believer (v. 79). It is a prayer shaped by who God is, what He does, and for the spread of His name and salvation. God continues to mold us and shape us. There will be times we need to be refined or have edges evened out in our spiritual lives, but our prayers should includes verses 77-79 and conclude with the resolve: “May my heart be blameless in your statutes that I may not be put to shame”.

    Reflection Questions:

    1. How has God’s Word shaped you?
    2. How can your prayers be better shaped by God’s Word? Take time to pray in alignment with verses 77-79 today.

  • The Goodness of God (Psalm 119:65-72)

    Instances of suffering are often the places where we ask questions of the faith. Yet, strangely enough, suffering is also the context where we find sweeter fellowship with the Lord. The loss of a job leads to more mindful dependence on God. The health diagnosis reminds the person that God is the one who can heal or is the one who numbers our days. We misunderstand what it means that God deals well with us if we look at our circumstances as the determinator. Rather, the indicator of His dealings is the deepening relationship He has with His people. We need to hear that truth from God’s Word. We need to be taught that because afflictions will come and when the temptations to stray present themselves, the question will be: Will we keep God’s Word? The way we answer that will reveal what we believe, specifically about God. The psalmist teaches us to believe the goodness of God. God’s very character (“You are good”) is evidenced by His works (“and do good”) (verse 68). It means to not buy into the lies that go against what God’s Word says about God despite our circumstances and trials. Verse 71 hits home what it means to keep God’s Word with your whole heart in the midst of suffering, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.” The goodness of God changes our perspective to see how affliction can be for our good.

    Reflection Questions:

    1. How have your times of suffering challenged your view of God?
    2. How does trusting in God’s goodness change your perspective of trials being for your good?