What a life, each and every day seems to blend into the next and sometimes it is hard to remember one from the other. It is even more so when suffering or trouble comes our way. When circumstances arise, which affect our ability to serve God and others, to obey our parents, bosses, or teachers. It is hard to always do what is right when life is throwing curveballs at us day in and day out. But the Psalmist reminds us who we are to go to, and where our focus must be. He says in verses 153 and 154, “I have not forgotten Your law.” And, “according to Your promise, preserve my life.” See it is in God’s law we can find comfort and hope and life in His promises. But we must come to Him, seeking His face asking for His deliverance and redemption.
When we look at life and even death, we find it too finite, and to a point which causes many of us great discomfort. We might even ask ourselves the question, “What is our only comfort in life and death?” The answer to this question can be simple or complex depending on our view. However, in The Heidelberg Catechism we find this answer, “ That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready from now on to live unto him.”[1]
The Psalmist would agree as we read these verses, we see how we must not forget His law, we cannot turn away from His statutes, we must seek out His decrees, and we must obey His Word. Three times the Psalmist reminds us of how the Lord will preserve our lives and why He would do such a thing.
a. Defend and Redeem me—preserve my life—Your promise (vs. 154)
b. Your compassion is Great—preserve my life—Your Law (vs.156)
c. I love Your precepts—preserve my life—Your Love (vs. 159)
The first verse asked something of God, the second shared an attribute of God, and the third said how the Psalmist felt about God’s Word. We too, can have these same kinds of feelings and should learn to express them to our Heavenly Father, echoing our heart and mind. Never holding back, always being honest with Him as He already knows your heart.
There will always be people who will despise God’s Holy Word, it is not for us to change their minds or hearts, but to share with them the love of Jesus Christ by how we live and act. In many cases we can say more by our actions than we can by our words. This is why James said, “Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1.22). God’s Word is always true and trustworthy and must be shared with whoever, whenever, and wherever.
Application
Prayer
Dear God of Heaven, I thank You for Your love and compassion. For dealing with a sinner such as I. Lord I am struggling each day to do the right things, to find my way through the minefields of life. Lord, help me to stay focused on You and Your Word, to obey all You have called me to do. As I think about my own life Lord help me to hold the right prospective, to remember You are the one in control of all things, and without You nothing was made, or happens. Lord, help me to allow you to work in and through me and to use me as a vessel for Your glory. Help me not to be discouraged with those who reject Your Word, help me to continue to share and live my life as You have called me to, so they will know who You are by my example. None of this is for me, but for You and Your Glory. In Jesus Christ Name, Amen.
[1] Ritzema, E. (Ed.). (2012). 300 Quotations for Preachers. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
When we look at life and even death, we find it too finite, and to a point which causes many of us great discomfort. We might even ask ourselves the question, “What is our only comfort in life and death?” The answer to this question can be simple or complex depending on our view. However, in The Heidelberg Catechism we find this answer, “ That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready from now on to live unto him.”[1]
The Psalmist would agree as we read these verses, we see how we must not forget His law, we cannot turn away from His statutes, we must seek out His decrees, and we must obey His Word. Three times the Psalmist reminds us of how the Lord will preserve our lives and why He would do such a thing.
a. Defend and Redeem me—preserve my life—Your promise (vs. 154)
b. Your compassion is Great—preserve my life—Your Law (vs.156)
c. I love Your precepts—preserve my life—Your Love (vs. 159)
The first verse asked something of God, the second shared an attribute of God, and the third said how the Psalmist felt about God’s Word. We too, can have these same kinds of feelings and should learn to express them to our Heavenly Father, echoing our heart and mind. Never holding back, always being honest with Him as He already knows your heart.
There will always be people who will despise God’s Holy Word, it is not for us to change their minds or hearts, but to share with them the love of Jesus Christ by how we live and act. In many cases we can say more by our actions than we can by our words. This is why James said, “Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1.22). God’s Word is always true and trustworthy and must be shared with whoever, whenever, and wherever.
Application
- Take a moment and look at your life, what do your see? Is everything going as planned or are there some things happening which are making your life miserable? Have you taken these issues to the Lord? Ask God today to be the Lord over these problems, cast all your cares on Him and allow His peace to come on your life so you can focus on the right things.
- When you think about life and death, how does it make you feel? Have you talked this over with your family or spouse? When Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior of your life, He is living inside of you; He can give you the peace and comfort to feel safe and secure no matter what might come. Take some time today and ask God to settle your heart with Him, so you will have peace and a clearer focus for Him.
- Are you worried about what the lost is thinking when it comes to the Word of God? Are you concerned they will not accept your message or more pointedly they will out right reject you? Chin-up. The wicked do not want the Word of God or to hear about His ways, but you are called to be obedient. What you need to remember is you are to be obedient to your Heavenly Father. Ask God for the wisdom to say the right things, and have the right attitude with doing it. Remember it is God that grows the seed, we just plant and water.
Prayer
Dear God of Heaven, I thank You for Your love and compassion. For dealing with a sinner such as I. Lord I am struggling each day to do the right things, to find my way through the minefields of life. Lord, help me to stay focused on You and Your Word, to obey all You have called me to do. As I think about my own life Lord help me to hold the right prospective, to remember You are the one in control of all things, and without You nothing was made, or happens. Lord, help me to allow you to work in and through me and to use me as a vessel for Your glory. Help me not to be discouraged with those who reject Your Word, help me to continue to share and live my life as You have called me to, so they will know who You are by my example. None of this is for me, but for You and Your Glory. In Jesus Christ Name, Amen.
[1] Ritzema, E. (Ed.). (2012). 300 Quotations for Preachers. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.