Morning Moments

RESH – the 20th letter of the Hebrew alphabet

Ps 119:153

One rarely thinks of a man among men, a soldier, a warrior to cry out.  My generation was taught that big boys don't cry, but that along with many other things we were taught was wrong.  A man's manhood or masculinity is not know by his ability not to show emotions, but by his willingness to be conformed to his Maker.  Who knows better than the designer of life how it is to function?

This is a portion or section of the psalmist great cry and his genuine confidence in the Word of God; its purpose and promises.

He cries out for God to carefully observe his trouble and misery and asks that he be rescued with a gentle hand.  There are 25 Hebrew words that express deliverance but this one conveys the idea of gently rescuing in contrast to the "deliver" in vv. 134 (by power), 154 (redeem), and 170 (rescue out of the hands of the enemy).

The psalmist says, "I never forget your law which promises deliverance.  The word deliver is also different in the next verse.

Ps 119:154
Because God cannot suffer those who are faithful to His word to succumb, he supplicates His help against his persecutors. Keil and Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament - Commentary on the Old Testament – Volume 5: Psalms.

We are transport into the Courtroom of God's justice as David seeks life based upon the promise of God.  There is one mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ the righteous.  He is our advocate in heaven and the Holy Spirit is His advocate in us.  Jesus appeals to the Father on our behalf and the Holy Spirit pleads His cause in us.

Ps 119:155
Those who resist and reject God's Word are wicked!  They have no desire in their innermost being for God and His commands.  These are they who might say, "Well, that is just your interpretation, opinion, idea."

God is clear about His will, His Word, His way, so we might as well get use to it.  HE HAS NOT CHANGED HIS MIND ABOUT SIN - He condemned it then and condemns is NOW.

Ps 119:156
To be sure, God is tender with the righteous, but He is a terror to the wicked.  Saints can and should always appeal to the Father as children who are constantly learning and consistent leaning upon Him for our personal protection and provision. 
His judicial declaration of the righteous is deliverance, but His just declaration of the wicked is damnation.  We, as saints, live according to His righteous declaration.

Ps 119:157
I have NEVER been assaulted, assailed, or attacked that my loving Father did not come to my rescue and deal with my persecutors and enemies according to their deeds.

That is why I cannot and will not seek to justify myself against the devil's accusation.  God has declared us righteous, and we should never succumb to the fiery darts of the wicked, but allow HIM to be our shield.

Ps 119:158
It should break our hearts that those who transgress the laws of God and refuse to believe and behave in a way that is consistent with them.  The term "transgressors" means traitors or treacherous men.

Most pastors have more trouble with wicked church members who will not do things God's way that he does with anyone else.  We have all seen and heard of church members that were full of the devil and divide churches and Christians who will allow them, instead of standing opposed to them.

Ps 119:159
I like to think of this verse in terms of a parent.  In rearing our children, we taught them to settle their conflicts God's way.  Unless there is a Biblical principle at stake, "agree with your adversary quickly..."  In other words, if it is a mere matter of opinion, accept it as that, but if it is a matter of Biblical principle stand up to it.

One of our children had a teacher who was intelligent and intimidating.  She made the statement in class that mentally challenged and other deformed children should be aborted.

One daughter respectfully stood up to that teacher and asked the basis of her belief.  She stammered and answered that it was her opinion, to which my daughter answered, "Then why would you seek to undermine truth with opinion.  That would be like saying, "I believe that one can jump from the Empire State building and land safely on the concrete.  It is an opinion that defies fact."

No one can intimidate you with opinions when you are armed with the Word of God.  So, for those of us who love His precepts and are made alive to truth, He shows lovingkindness.

Ps 119:160
Time, as we know it, has no negative effect upon truth, for God's truth has stood the test of time.

School textbooks are being constantly revised as we learn more about historical events, but the Bible needs no revision.  Heaven and earth may pass away but God's Word will  never pass away.  God will not judge on the basis of opinion, but on the basis of His revelation - The Holy Bible which does not merely contain, but IS the Word of God.

BLESSINGS!