“Righteous and Very Faithful” (Ps 119:137-144)

Righteous are You, O Lord,

And upright are Your judgments.

Your testimonies, which You have commanded,

Are righteous and very faithful. (vs137-138)

God’s word is trustworthy and can be counted upon completely; it is “righteous and very faithful”.  Not only is He righteous in His commands and teachings, but He is faithful to bring it to pass. He not only commands good, but He’s able to bring about the reward that He’s promised and give the help that we need.  Some are righteous but have no power: they only wish their words carried weight.  Others have power, like a tyrant, to do as they please, but their commands are self-aggrandising and unfair. God is neither unjust nor powerless, so His word can be trusted forever.

We need Someone trustworthy to save and direct us. We need righteousness from God, for there is no hope in sinners, because like Satan, they will destroy. We can’t trust an unrighteous God.  But, having all-righteousness mixed with all-powerfulness unfolds a God who not only commands what is right, but is FAITHFUL in all that He says: faithful to help, faithful to damn the wicked, and faithful enough to be relied upon as the rock that is higher than us (Ps 61:2).

Don’t trust anything less than God’s word, and trust Him confidently and surely.

Secondly, we love God’s word because of its purity and beauty; it is the truth (vs139-140).  He says, “Your word is very pure; therefore Your servant loves it”.  We don’t believe against our wills, but He unfolds the glory of God, the sinfulness of man, and we TAKE the water of life, freely, willingly, and savingly.

The Christian isn’t forced into submission.  We don’t murmur at the gospel, but reluctantly confess its facts.  We LOVE the Son of God for what He’s done for us. We see God just and the justifier of those who believe, and we see Christ as glorious, so we WILLINGLY believe, surrender all, and follow Him. Someone may see the facts of the gospel, but when they see the purity of the word, how it has no sin, how it commands no wrong, and how it forbids nothing but what should be forbidden, then they believe, casting their care upon Him.   

What do you think of Christ?  If He is GLORIOUS, then you believe the gospel, finding nothing else.

Finally, in spite of the misery of sin, the hardships of obedience, and the agonies of life, we believe and love God’s word (vs141-144).  He says, “I am small and despised, yet I do not forget Your precepts.  Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth.   Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, Yet Your commandments are my delights.”  We are not those who turn away from the truth, but because the truth saves, we find refuge in Christ when there’s none in the world.

We may be pained, but God’s word is the medicine. We may have troubles and fears, but God’s word isn’t the problem; it’s the solution!  Some say, “The word is causing these problems, so I will forsake it, lessen its demands, and live more worldly to escape the affliction”, but amidst the afflictions, the believers says, “The word of God will save me; it is not the problem, nor is it wise to abandon it.  I will use it even more to get encouragement and help” (Luke 8:11-15).  

You and I have troubles, but we have found ONE place of refuge, where we may turn repeatedly.  God’s word heals, gives life, and carries us to heaven.  We love it rightfully.