“My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to Your word” (vs25).
He is being honest, admitting that he's sinful and all isn't well, that he struggles mightily and needs help (vs25). He says, “My soul clings to the dust”. He's a sinner needing constant grace to stay above his failures and depression. He needs victory over sin that he can't accomplish himself. Grace is for poor sinners; it is for honest people who need help. He says, “revive me according to Your word”. Let us never go in the flesh because we refuse to ask, seek, and knock, pretending all is OK and refusing to admit our need. Indeed, emptiness and need are normal to Christianity, and we must believe God to help us, or perish, missing grace because we did not openly acknowledge our need.
Secondly, we must be taught, even though we've been taught, because grace never makes us independent; we are continually seeking and obtaining more (vs26). He says, “I have declared my ways”, my fears, doubts, and horrible falls, “and You answered me”, in grace, pity, and love. “Teach me Your statutes”.
If we'd admit our need then He'd meet it, and we'd have instruction - spiritually and on the inside.
If God teaches us, then we can meditate... if He unlocks the secret, then we can ponder the results. We need Him in order to honor Him (vs27). He says, “Make me understand the way of Your precepts; so shall I meditate on Your wonderful works”. He must do EVERYTHING for us to do anything. Walk with Him this way, saying, ‘Lord, do it all’.
Thirdly, He's promised to help the needy (vs28). “My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your word”. What mustI do? I must believe help is for me, seek it, and obtain. Boldly ask Him to rescue you, guide you, and save you. It doesn’t matter that you’re helpless or how far you are from righteousness. Trust the PROMISES of grace, O needy sinner, and live.
"Be gracious to me” is the sinner’s plea as well as the saint's (vs29). “Remove from me the way of lying, and grant me Your law graciously”. Help me in my sinful estate, help the one that has rejected instruction, and help me because of who You are: gracious. You give generously to those who have NOTHING but need! You have saved by grace, so save repeatedly.
We say, “I have done what You demand - choosing Your salvation, Your ways, and You above all else, so don't forsake me” (vs30-31)! He says, “I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me. I cling to Your testimonies; O Lord, do not put me to shame!” Surely, You won't forsake me, now that You're everything to me! Don't reveal my Savior and not save me. Don't torment me in hell with the misery of asking in vain, in the horror of perishing without help. “I want God”, the Psalmist is declaring, “and You must be mine”! Someone said in prayer, “We can’t take ‘no’ for an answer”, and we cant. This ZEAL is God’s gift, like John the Baptist, who was a burning and shining light (John 5:35). Flame on in your desires. Burn brightly for Christ (2 Tim 1:6).
Finally, he says, “I have hope in You” (vs32). “I will run the course of Your commandments”, absolutely and fearlessly, “for You shall enlarge my heart”. Grace will come in the hour of need, lifelong, and until the end! Yes, fears abound, but hope won’t be put to shame, not when it's in Christ to save the needy according to God’s word. He is gracious, and He will hear me. Be assured, walk in peace, and expect it. Don't let yourself or your circumstances discourage your optimism in God’s promises and power. We read of Abraham, “who, contrary to hope, in hope believed”, in the gospel promises, “so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, ‘So shall your descendants be’. And not being weak in faith”, not giving in to unbelief because he is unable, “he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith”,enabled to conquer, “giving glory to God” (Rom 4:18-20). You'll have what’s needed, even obedience to His word, good works, and the blessedness of communion, which is the Holy Spirit’s POWER.
No comments:
Post a Comment