Do you have a Hiding Place?

Psalm 119: 113-120

“I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.  You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in your word.  Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.  Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope!  Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually!  You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain.  All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies.  My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments.”

I believe one should define words like double-minded, and the letter from James to the twelve tribes in chapter 1:5-8, give us clarity.  “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.  For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

My mind floods with examples of how often I have lacked wisdom, and the times I was double-minded.  And how as I spent more time in God’s word submitting to His authority, I’ve learned to trust His Word and look to Him and not be tossed by the wind.  As one learns to hope in God’s word, it does become a shield against the enemies lies and deceptive attacks.  

Wisdom and bought lessons showed the Psalmist that if your desire is to hang out with liars and schemers, who take advantage of others, it would be imposable to keep the commandments of God.  Mom was on spot when she said pick your friends wisely, you will become like who you run with.

Have you noticed how often the Psalmist runs to God, and for good reason?  Jesus tells us in John 8:12, Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”  In John’s gospel, chapter 3:18-21, “And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.  For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.   But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice