July 19, 2015
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Confident Expectancy

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Opening Prayer

Lord, thank You that You are true to Your Word and You keep Your promises.

Read Psalm 119:153-176

[153]ר Resh Look on my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law. [154] Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise. [155] Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees. [156] Your compassion, LORD, is great; preserve my life according to your laws. [157] Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes. [158] I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word. [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]ש Sin and Shin 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. [164] Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws. [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. [169]ת Taw May my cry come before you, LORD; give me understanding according to your word. [170] May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise. [171] May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. [172] May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous. [173] May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. [174] I long for your salvation, LORD, and your law gives me delight. [175] Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me. [176] I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

The Psalms certainly cover a wide spectrum of human emotions. This psalm is no exception. What emotions are mentioned here?

Whatever the details of the suffering the psalmist refers to (153), it is clear that his relationship with God is robust. As the ungodly bring pressure to bear (161), the psalmist repeatedly prays for help, confident that as he plays his part in that relationship God will play his, because that is how a covenant relationship works. It is sure and certain.

These final verses of the psalm are a kaleidoscope of color: love and loathing, trembling and praise, confident expectancy and eagerness to follow God’s ways. For the psalmist, praise becomes life’s purpose (175). His prayer combines pleas for God to hear and act with an acknowledged dependence on his life-giving touch. Even in the trembling of the psalmist in the face of trouble, a sense of peace accompanies rejoicing, with a renewed declaration of love and a further commitment to obey, because of his own prior trembling at God’s Word (161).

However, despite his very real love of God and of his Word, the psalmist is just as prone to wander as the next sheep (176). Just as Job never claimed to be without sin, nor does the psalmist, despite some appearances to the contrary in this psalm. In the Old Testament, a person’s righteousness is his or her relational faithfulness, not perfection. So the psalmist is realistic about his shortcomings, while loving and obeying God’s Word. “This man would have taken his stance not with the self-congratulating Pharisee of the parable, but with the publican who stood far off, but went home justified” (Derek Kidner, 1913-2008).

Apply

How do you handle the situations when the faithless seem to be flourishing? When you feel persecuted? When you have sinned? What lessons can the psalmist teach you?

Closing prayer

Lord, I so often go astray. Thank You for Your loving forgiveness. Keep me following You.

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