“It Abides” (Ps 119:89-96)

Forever, O Lord,

Your word is settled in heaven.

Your faithfulness endures to all generations;

You established the earth, and it abides.

They continue this day according to Your ordinances,

For all are Your servants. (vs89-91)

Just as the world endures to this present hour, even so God’s word shall abide forever.  The Psalmist says, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven... You established the earth, and it abides” (vs89-91).  His word will not be changed, but what He’s said SHALL come to pass.  He’s declared the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to be the Eternal Purpose of God, the reason that all things exist, which is to glorify Him in wrath or mercy (Eph 3:11).

You and I don’t fear change in God, for He is faithful, and we may go to His word again and again, leaning upon Him repeatedly.   Never put your trust in movable temporary things; trust only the faithful living God who brings His word to pass, the God who has the power to speak, and it WILL be done.

Secondly, God’s love is revealed in the gospel of Jesus Christ, the only hope there is, so I will look to His word continually, for it gives me life (vs92-93)!  He says, “Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life.”  When I see reconciliation, God on my side for Christ’s sake, and the eternal riches of the reward, my spirit is quickened, and I’m able to rest. This peace and power comes from believing the gospel truth and seeing Him who has all power for me, rather than against.  Romans 8:31 says, “What then shall we say to these things [election, predestination, and the certainty of our glorification in Christ (Rom 8:28-30)]?  If God is for us, who can be against us?” This faith is only by the gospel, the written word of God, so I’ll look to Him by it forever.

It is not the preacher, or even the bible; it is the life giving message of Christ in the scriptures, by the preacher’s mouth, revealing the Person who died for me, seeing that He is mine, and then honoring and loving Him by the power that He gives; it is belief of the truth of my salvation.

Finally, let others do as they please, even the wicked who would destroy our joy in the gospel, we will look to Christ and believe His gospel continually (vs94-96). He says,  “I am Yours, save me; for I have sought Your precepts.  The wicked wait for me to destroy me, but I will consider Your testimonies.” We won’t back up or turn away from the only hope!  We will believe upon the Lord Jesus, so that we might be saved. We will devote ourselves to His teaching, for He alone can guide us to Paradise safely.

Let men rage against you.  God will make you strong to endure, and then He’ll save you from trouble with heaven.  The answer to a godless world isn’t putting away Christ; it is settling it in my mind that He is mine forever, I am His, and I have the best inheritance.  Don’t let sinners discourage you.  The devil fights against us, and so do his slaves, but Christ wins in the End, and we’re guaranteed far more, though we suffer now.