“I Love Your Law” (Ps 119:161-168)

"Princes persecute me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your word.  I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure.  I hate and abhor lying, but I love Your law" (vs161-163).

I, like all believers, am hated for the word of God and allegiance to Him, but we don’t change our tune. The Psalmist said, “Princes persecute me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your word” (vs161). Man’s enmity hasn’t blotted out the beauty of the gospel.  His hatefulness hasn’t made us reject God.  Christ’s gospel, no matter who likes it or who opposes, is the most beautiful thing that we’ve ever seen; it is the TRUTH that saves; it is the message that glorifies Christ and gives heaven to men.

Secondly, He says, “I rejoice in Your word as one who finds great treasure”, and this is no tiny love, no mere passing fancy (vs162).  Jesus Christ is the Pearl of Great Price. He is the Treasure that’s been hidden in the field, which causes us to forsake everything else, when He is found, so that we may have Him.  He said, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matt 13:44).  We see redemption from sins, forgiveness, and the GIFT of righteousness more pleasurable and important than anything.  If you gave us the world - all of its riches and pleasures - we’d GIVE IT AWAY, so that we could have Christ.  Like Moses, we’ve “chosen rather to be afflicted with the people of God, than to have sin’s pleasure for a season” (Heb 11:25).  We love Christ and esteem God’s word because the soul is the only and most precious thing we have (Matt 16:26).

He says, “I hate and abhor lying, but I love Your law” (vs163).  We are not blind to the tricks of Satan, but we abhor the lies that he tells.  He slanders Christ, as if we should live for something else, as if the way is impossible, and we’d be better make our own path. These lies are not sweet but filthy.  They hide the consequences of eternal damnation, because we can’t win living in sin.

Thirdly, the Psalmist says, “Seven times a day”, a perfect and righteous number, “I praise you, because of Your righteous judgments” (vs164).  He is not one who praises God for nothing.  He sees the believer’s not condemned, the Lord was condemned in our place, and we are able to go free by the grace of God alone.  He’s judged that Jesus, the One who obeyed, may die for the many.  Romans 5:18 says,  “Therefore, as through one offence judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one righteousness the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life”. Satisfaction’s made for God’s elect, by God’s own, and we see Him calling out to all, giving eternal life to any who believe (1 John 2:1-2). The Judge is on His throne, and we say, “Praise God.  The All-Powerful is good, just, and merciful. He reigns rightfully as the One that God’s exalted, God Himself in the flesh, the Savior of the world”.

He says, “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble” (vs165).  They trust Jesus Christ and peace is the result. We don’t stumble over grace and mercy, but we believe it’s free for Christ’s sake (Rom 9:30-31). We don’t stumble over the spiritual nature of the kingdom.  We LOVE what God says, that His kingdom is not of this world, and we give this world to the devil, expecting our fulfillment in the world to come (John 18:36). We go about things His way, trusting and holding onto Him, even when everything else says, “Let Him go”.  

He says, “Lord, I hope for Your salvation, and I do Your commandments” (vs166). He doesn’t hope with the mouth only, but he does what God says, proving that his hope is real.  Paul wrote, “proving the sincerity of your love” (2 Cor 8:8).  Many talk a good game, but there are few who can walk the talk and show their love is real.  We have proof.  He says, “My soul keeps Your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly” (vs167).  How would it look, if he said, “I love what you say, but I won’t obey it”?  That’s like telling someone, “I love you, but I will not help.  I will leave you stranded, though I’m right to help.  I will leave you are cry out”. This fleshly love is not the inheritance of the saints. We love in deed and truth.

Finally, he says, “I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You” (vs168). He openly confesses that he obeys because God sees his heart, and there is no hiding place.  Paul says, “But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts” (1 Thess 2:4). If we could fool Him, then maybe we try it, but God’s not like a gullible parent or a half-asleep boss at work.  He sees everything, holds men accountable, and deception won’t work.  We love Him sincerely and confess our allegiance before the throne.  We don’t say, “I keep Your precepts”, thinking that mouthing the words is the same as doing the deeds. We say, “I keep”, knowing that He knows that we do.  Like Peter, we say, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love you” (John 21:17)

"Keep Silence Before Him" (Habakkuk 2:5-20)

Reverence God

(vs18-20) “What profit is the image, that its maker should carve it, the molded image, a teacher of lies, that the maker of its mold should trust in it, to make mute idols?  Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ to silent stone, ‘Arise! It shall teach!’ Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet in it there is no breath at all.  But the Lord is in His holy temple.  Let all the earth keep silence before Him”.

Stand in awe before the God of glory, humble yourselves, and hurry to Christ’s gospel. He will punish the wicked, He will save the elect, and He's to be worshiped in fear and holiness (2 Cor 7:1).  Blessed be the gospel that saves.

First, He is going to punish wickedness, even though sinners prosper now (vs5-11, 15-19).  He says, “Will not all these take up a proverb against him, and a taunting riddle against him, and say, ‘Woe to him who increases what is not his—how long [how long shall he ‘get away with it]? And to him who loads himself with many pledges’? Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty.  Because you have plundered many nations, all the remnant of the people shall plunder you, because of men’s blood and the violence of the land and the city, and of all who dwell in it.” They're adding flame to the fire, being hateful to others, and thus, heaping up wrath for themselves.  Verse 15-17, says, “Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor, pressing him to your bottle, even to make him drunk, that you may look on his nakedness [the exploit and deceive him]!  You are filled with shame instead of glory. You also—drink! And be exposed as uncircumcised [unclean, unbelieving, and abomination to God]! The cup of the Lord’s right hand will be turned against you, And utter shame will be on your glory.  For the violence done to Lebanon will cover you, and the plunder of beasts which made them afraid, because of men’s blood and the violence of the land and the city, and of all who dwell in it.”  

You have done to others, He says, and now God will do to you, and He can do nothing else, lest He be unjust.  He doesn’t punish sin immediately, but He does punish assuredly and eternally, giving sinners what they deserve, when they reject the gospel, deceive, and misuse their fellow man. He uses their wickedness, and THEN He sends them to hell. He is keeping a record, and after sin has done its purpose, eye for an eye and tooth for tooth justice must come.

Secondly, God saves by the wickedness of others and insures that the elect will come in (vs12-14).  He says, “Woe to him who builds a town with bloodshed, who establishes a city with iniquity! Behold, is it not of the Lord of hosts that the peoples labor to feed the fire [deceive themselves with sin], and nations weary themselves in vain?  For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea”. His glory in deliverance will be seen, so that wickedness has no power over God. He raised Christ to demonstrate sin's defeat in God's salvation, for He ALWAYS turns evil into good!  Joseph, a picture of Christ, sold and hated by his brethren, said, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive” (Gen 50:20).  His grace is gloriously unmoved by the evils of men, and He conquers sin by the terror that sin gives.  He brings His elect to repentance by the afflictions of Satan, controlling the tiniest things for good, and rescuing us in a way whereby His wrath and mercy are glorified. He’s seen fit to show the HIGHEST good that He can to human beings - redeeming us, and eternally teaching us of His just, electing, and sanctifying love.  

Finally, worship Him reverently, obeying, honoring, and fearing God (vs20). He says, “But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him”.  He is no plaything or god to approach on your terms.  Repent continually and pray to escape the wrath to come.  Believe on Christ to have DIED the death that you merit, and believe that He's earned your holiness, by faith alone. Receive the righteousness and help of God, not only in your standing, but also your walk and behavior, “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:17).

Don't take God lightly, despising mercy by unbelief and refusing to be changed. Believe wrath is coming and sin is futile; it is a losers game with eternal regret and agony. Believe that God, in spite of sin and by sin, brings the elect to Christ, using all pain for our good, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28).  Fear God obediently and honor Christ, looking to Him continually for power over sin and hope for sins committed.  Be holy by faith and action.  

“The Lord Avenges and is Furious” (Nahum 1:1-8)

“The burden against Nineveh.  The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.  God is jealous, and the Lord avenges; the Lord avenges and is furious.  The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies.” (vs1-2)

God is just in hating sin and sinners, punishing those eternally in hatred who do not receive Him in repentance.  He says, “God is jealous, and the Lord avenges; the Lord avenges and is furious”.  He’s not just nice and merciful, but He’s angry too!.  He continues, “The Lord will take vengeance on His enemies; the Lord is slow to anger (which makes sin that much more sinful) and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked” (vs2-3a).  He is no “winking at sin” god who doesn’t punish, but He holds justice highly, never pardoning without Christ’s death.  In fact, His punishment of others unfolds a glimpse of what His Son Jesus endured.  He suffered God’s wrath, fully, for His people, dying in our place, and His Father will by no means clear the guilty!  Someone tonight said, “You can’t come to the Father, except by the Son”, recognizing the holiness of God.  But, if you don’t believe the gospel, then what His Son endured in the agony of the cross WILL come upon you, not for a few hours, because He as God was able to suffer away sin, but as a human being, suffering eternally under torments.

Secondly, He's all powerful, almighty, and one to be feared.  He says, “The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet.  He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers.  Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts.  The mountains quake before Him, the hills melt, and the earth burns at His presence.  Yes, the world and all who dwell in it.  Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger?  His fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by Him” (vs3b-6).  He's no play god, impotent, powerless, talking, but not responding.  The world and your soul is in His hand. He does as He pleases, always, in all things, even human destruction, earthquakes, and death.  It would be smart to spend your life at peace with Him, doing His will, so you can be saved.  Fighting God is STUPIDITY; it is the irrationality of fools (Prov 14:9).

Finally, Trust will be rewarded and your life spared, but don’t think there’s another way (vs7-8).  He says, “The Lord is good”, saves sinners, gives us what we need, freely, bearing patiently with us in our sin, and bringing us to heaven by grace and goodness.  He says, “A stronghold in the day of trouble”, a refuge from the storm, Someone to run to and get SAFETY.  “And He knows those who trust in Him”, favoring us in His love, knowing our faith, sacrifices, sufferings, and ensuring us it is not in vain.   He is God, merciful and just.  He is One to be believed, so that wrath misses you.  Put your faith in Christ, trusting His blood (work of redemption) to save you, trusting He earned the Spirit, so that you might be mighty over sin.  He rewards believers with eternal peace. “But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, and darkness will pursue His enemies”.  

The Sea - Spectator

Of all objects that I have ever seen, there is none which affect my imagination so much as the sea or ocean.  I cannot see the heavings of this prodigious bulk of waters, even in a calm, without a very pleasing astonishment; but when it is worked up in a tempest, so that the horizon on every side is nothing but foaming billows and floating mountains, it is impossible to describe the agreeable horror that rises from such a prospect.  A troubled ocean, to a man who sails upon it, is, I think, the biggest object that he can see in motion, and consequently gives his imagination one of the highest kinds of pleasure that can arise from greatness.  I must confess it is impossible for me to survey this world of fluid matter without thinking on the hand that first poured it out, and made a proper channel for its reception.  Such an object naturally raises in my thoughts the idea of an Almighty Being, and convinces me of his existence as much as a metaphysical demonstration. The imagination prompts the understanding, and by the greatness of the sensible object, produces in it the idea of a Being who is neither circumscribed by time nor space.  

“Neither Will I Tell You” (Luke 20:1-8)

But He answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me: "The baptism of John––was it from heaven or from men?" And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet." So they answered that they did not know where it was from. And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."(vs3-8)

Doing things sneakily won't prevail with God. If we don't want the truth, then we won't get it. He said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things”. The Pharisees, the leaders of the people, and the priests DIDN'T want to know the Son of God or who sent Him, so they were blinded by their own stupidity and no answer was given.

What a warning! We must take the truth seriously, rather than twisting it or playing dumb to fool God. This is more than tricking a human court, deceiving another person, or lying your way out of trouble before men. This is the Almighty God who knows the heart. We read, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of the soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no created hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Heb 4:12-13). He gives you light, and if rejected, then you get no more. He said in Luke 8:16-18, “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he things to have will be taken from him”. Take heed to what you're given, answer honestly the questioning of God, and you'll be given light to save your soul.

It is better to admit you're ignorant or sinful than to lie about it and hide from God. Being taught by God in Christ is the best thing for you, because He only comes to save. Micah 7:18-19, says, “Who is God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities”. He isn't cruel, exacting unfairly, or ungracious. Ask the saints, search the scriptures, and you'll find a God who continually shows mercy from the merits of His Son, by the power of His own Spirit, and according to the willing promises of the word. We read again, “Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side... because you did not know the time of your visitation” (Luke 19:41-45).