Sunday, February 02,
2014, 5:37 a.m. – the Lord Jesus put the song “All Through the Night” in my mind. Speak, Lord, your words to my
heart. I read Psalm 119:137-168
(selected verses in the NIV).
141
Though I am lowly and despised,
I do not forget your precepts.
143
Trouble and distress have come upon me,
but your commands give me delight.
153
Look on my suffering and deliver me,
for I have not forgotten your law.
157
Many are the foes who persecute me,
but I have not turned from your statutes.
159
See how I love your precepts;
preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with
your love.
160
All your words are true;
all your righteous laws are eternal.
161
Rulers persecute me without cause,
but my heart trembles at your word.
162
I rejoice in your promise
like one who finds great spoil.
163
I hate and detest falsehood
but I love your law.
165
Great peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble.
166
I wait for your salvation, Lord,
and I follow your commands.
167
I obey your statutes,
for I love them greatly.
168
I obey your precepts and your statutes,
for all my ways are known to you.
The Difficult
Situations
The psalmist expressed the difficult situation(s) he found
himself in. He was (or felt) lowly (small; insignificant) and despised (hated;
scorned; and/or treated with contempt – with disapproval). He was experiencing
trouble (opposition; adversity; and/or affliction) and distress (anguish). He
was suffering (afflicted; depressed; sad; and/or in misery). He also had many
foes (opposing forces; enemies) which were oppressing him, among which were
also rulers who were persecuting him without cause (unjustly and perhaps even
viciously).
Some or all of us may identify with some or all of the
emotions and/or situations presented here. I am pretty sure we have all
experienced feelings of insignificance or have had people treat us unkindly at
times, or at least we have had the perception that we were being treated badly
or unfairly. I am fairly certain most of us have experienced times of sadness
and/or feelings of depression (low times emotionally). I know I have. Perhaps
we even have known (or are presently experiencing) what it is like to be hated,
scorned and treated with contempt. Those types of situations may not yield
pleasant feelings, nor are they, probably, comfortable experiences. Possibly we
have, as well, faced serious opposition, resistance, conflict and/or
disapproval from those who appear to be enemy forces, even coming from close
friends, companions, family members, neighbors, church family, religious
leaders, or from those who make no bones about the fact that they truly are our
enemies. The worst part of all, I believe, is when we feel the bad treatment is
unjust and cruel (mean-spirited).
The Remedy
For each of the seemingly negative experiences and/or
emotions the psalmist was experiencing, he had an antidote. Although he was (or
felt) lowly and despised, he chose to not forget (to remember) the Word of the
Lord and to think, instead, on Biblical principles, teachings, instructions and
guidelines for daily living, and to apply those truths to his life and to his circumstances.
He also said that he did not turn from them, meaning he did not reject the Word
of the Lord during difficult times, and he did not turn to sin as a way of escaping
and dealing with his pain. When he felt troubled or distressed, he chose to
delight (take pleasure in and to find enjoyment in) the teachings of God’s
word. What helps me a lot is singing songs of praise to God and/or scriptural
songs, because the WORD put to music also touches my emotional center and
brings comfort and healing to my soul.
He also called out to God in prayer, asking for deliverance (release;
rescue) from his troubles, or at least for the freedom from the weight or
burden of his difficulties. The Lord does not always set us free from difficult
circumstances. In fact, the Word teaches that we are destined for them. Jesus
told his disciples that they would be hated and persecuted; i.e. that they
should expect to be treated just like he was treated. Yet, we are encouraged in
scripture that these troubled times are for our good – to strengthen,
encourage, give hope, teach endurance and perseverance, build godly character,
and to make us holy (godly and more committed to being set apart for God and
for his service), as well as to give us courage and determination during more
troubled times that lie ahead. As well, our Lord encourages us that he will
give us his peace through these difficult times if we will put our trust in
him, rest in his love, and if we will follow his lead (See Rom. 15:13; Phil.
4:6-9).
The psalmist also hated lies but loved the truth. When we
are mistreated or when we even have the perception that we are being mistreated,
Satan loves to whisper his lies into our minds to deceive us and to try to get
us to doubt God. For instance, the psalmist said he was small and
insignificant. Perhaps he was speaking of how he felt he was treated or maybe
he had begun, even for a moment, to believe the lies of the enemy who loves to
get us focused on ourselves and to get us to believe we are not the precious
and beloved children of Almighty God that we are (sons and daughters of the
King of kings). Our enemy also likes to get us focused on our troubles and to
get us to feel without hope and to be afraid, and thus to get our eyes off
Jesus and his many promises and his provisions for us. So, we must know the
truth so that when Satan throws his darts of fear our way we can combat the
lies with truth (like in the song “Voice
of Truth” sung by Casting Crowns).
Lastly, the psalmist said that he waited for the Lord’s
salvation and he obeyed (followed) his Word (teachings, instructions, and guidelines).
I think sometimes, when trouble, hardship and difficulties come our way, we are
tempted to get impatient with God when he does not act on our behalf in the way
we think he should or certainly not in the timing we believe he should act.
And, so we are tempted to take matters into our own hands in order to “help God
out,” as though he needs our help. This most often leads to some kind of
disaster, because we did not trust in the Lord but thought he needed our help,
as though he is not our Sovereign and all powerful God. There is a song that
says, “Sometimes miracles hide.” We can’t always see what God is doing. But, we
should know that his word is true and that he will work out all things for good
in the lives of those who love him and who have been called according to his
purpose.
As well, he acknowledged that God knew everything about him;
he knew all the ways of the psalmist, and this encouraged the psalmist to obey
the Word. God is Sovereign. He loves us. Therefore, we can trust him. And,
sometimes that means waiting, maybe even for a very long time, believing God
has a purpose. We just have to rest in his love.
All Through the Night
/ An Original Work / December 7, 2013
Based off Various
Scriptures
Blessed are you when
you’re persecuted
Because of your faith
in Jesus Christ.
Blessed are you when
people insult you,
And falsely say what
leads folks to doubt.
Rejoice and be glad,
for your reward is
Great in the heavens.
You’re not alone.
When you are
persecuted in one place,
Flee to another. God
will be there.
You will be hated by
all the nations
Because you testify of
God’s grace.
Many will seize you
and persecute you,
And put to death the
foll’wers of Christ.
Yet, do not fear what
humans may do to you,
For I’m with you all
through the night.
I tell you, love your
enemies with my love,
And forgive as I
forgave you.
Pray for those who do
evil against you.
Rest in my love and
grace from above.
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