Psalm 119:57-72 Sunday, 20 February 2022
“I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws.” -Psalm 119:59
Can you imagine a time when the Word of God you are reading today was never available in this form? It took centuries of pain, persecutions and persistence to get us the Bible we have in our hands today! Would you pause a moment to thank God for His available Word in your hand and pray earnestly that many more will have the privilege to read it in their language?
That brings us to the importance of appreciating/loving God’s Word, meditating, studying and applying it in our life as the author of Psalm 119 would have done. The whole Psalm from verses 1-176 concentrates on the importance of abiding in God’s Word.
One can understand a person’s faith when he/she goes through difficult times- it brings out the best or the worst in us. How did the Psalmist have such confidence in God and His Word in times of difficulty? God’s Word and his deep devotion for the Lord made him trust in God and the promises of His Word that brought stability in times of affliction.
V.66 records a Prayer: “Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust Your commands.” We need to receive this knowledge and good judgement from God which is from His Word. The Psalmist also says that it was good for him to be afflicted so he could learn God’s Word (V.71). Looking into the life of Joseph, he received from the Lord, the knowledge to make good judgement in all the years of his affliction. He faced many a difficult situation before living in the promises God had given him. Yet he was assured that God was working through his affliction for a greater glory. Romans 8: 28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’ Precious child of God, are you facing the darkness of doubt, discord and defeat? May the Lord grant you wisdom to understand that in the struggles you go through, God is working for your good. Hold on to the promises of His Word as you go through this present darkness. His Word over your life will be fulfilled in His Perfect Time!
V.65 records a Petition: “Do good to your servant according to your word, LORD.” The Psalmist knows he can trust in a Good GOD in accordance with the certainty of His Word. He reiterates the goodness of the Lord in in V.68: “You are good, and what you do is good;” This assurance will help him hold on in times of uncertainties or when he feels the Lord is long in fulfilling His promises for him.
Abraham, the Father of Faith had to wait 25 long years before he experienced a fulfilled promise in his life. What did he do during those days, months and years of waiting? Romans 4:20 records: “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” Abraham knew that this God who had promised him is Faithful and His Word is dependable.
Dear believer in Christ, has your wait been long and difficult? Take comfort in a good God who will do you good! Let us like Abraham during this wait, ‘not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God.’ Instead of doubting, let us continue doing a few things mentioned in the Psalm: “put our hope in His Word” [V.74] delight in His Law [V.70] and meditate on His Precepts [V. 78] till we see God’s promises fulfilled in our lives.
Quote: “When we lay hold of the texts of the Bible, we’re arming our minds for battle.” ~ Dr. D. Jeremiah
Listen: ‘Word of GOD’
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