Your hands have made me and fashioned me;
give me understanding to learn Your commandments. vs73
We need understanding to deal with the difficulties and dangers of today. We don’t need a word from man but from God, and we err if we think our social commentary can replace the gospel.
We are messengers of God, and we must understand the Scriptures in the power of the Spirit. Mere words are dry and unhelpful, but whenever God speaks the text comes alive, the commands are clear, and sinners are called to repentance.
Do not leave us in these days, oh God, but enable us more than ever to speak clearly of Christ.
First, there is joy in seeing those who hope in His word. vs74
“May those who fear You see me and rejoice,
for I have hoped in Your word.”
We are not callous. We have a MESSAGE OF PEACE, because we have peace.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” [2 Cor 1:3-4]
We are not fretting with the world. We seek another kingdom that is sure, whose builder and maker is God [Heb 11:16]. We do not live in the bondage of discouragement. We GATHER OURSELVES, even as David encouraged himself in the Lord [1 Sam 30:6].
There is hope in God, so draw near.
Secondly, we trust in God’s promises. Vs75-76
“I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous,
and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
May Your loving devotion comfort me, I pray,
according to Your promise to Your servant.”
We are not making it up as we go. We put our fingers on Scripture, and say, “Lord, do it. Do what You have said. Fulfill Your word.”
“And now, O LORD God, confirm forever the word You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house. Do as You have promised,” [2 Sam 7:25]
This is the confidence of God’s elect and the boldness of saints: We have God, all powerful, making promises to us freely for Christ’s sake. He will perform them according to the Scriptures by the Spirit. We have a promise keeping God.
Thirdly, meditation is precious to us! vs77-78
“May Your compassion come to me, that I may live,
for Your law is my delight.
May the arrogant be put to shame for subverting me with a lie;
I will meditate on Your precepts.”
We think upon God’s word and chew on His thoughts [Lev 11:3]. We go back to the Scriptures and carry them in our heart.
Current events do not confuse us, because we have God within. We may not know what will happen in the short term, but we know LONG TERM that this world will be destroyed, and there will be a new heaven and new earth wherein dwells righteousness [2 Pet 3:10-13]. We know what God says is true, as Mary did news of Jesus, so we ponder the meaning over and over until we see fruit and confirmation [Luke 2:18-19].
His word is precious to us. We take texts, and say, “Lord, explain it,” as we give ourselves to prayer. As a man thinks, so is he. We think on God’s word - what He would have us believe, think, teach, and do. Paul says,
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things. [Phil 4:8]
We are captives to the gospel.
Finally, we do not want to be put to shame. vs79-80
“May those who fear You turn to me,
those who know Your testimonies.
May my heart be blameless in Your statutes,”
We want to persevere. We don’t want to teach errors, and things that we’ll regret. We don’t want to fail to give God glory, or turn from our commitment to Christ! Satan has many glittering jewels to distract us from the Savior, but they are not the Pearl of Great Price.
Lord, help us to stay focused, so that our sermons glorify you. Let us love people in these hard times with compassion, patience, and Scripture. Let us help our brethren, instead of condemning, lest we be put to shame ourselves.