Plead my cause and redeem me

 

                                                  Psalm 119:153-160

 

November 5, 2022

 

Resh

 Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget your law.
Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise!  Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes.  Great is your mercy, O Lord; give me life according to your rules.  Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, but I do not swerve from your testimonies.  I look at the faithless with disgust,
because they do not keep your commands.  Consider how I love your precepts!  Give me life according to your steadfast love.  The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

What a great prayer, the Psalmist has learned to trust in the Word that cannot be moved, and that Word is Jesus.   In John 1:1-5, we are introduced to the Word; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.  In him was life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”  In Matthew's gospel, we get a clearer understanding of why Jesus came in the form of a Man.  “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.  For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”  (Matthew 5:17-18)

 

Our dad was a significant influence in each of our lives, for good or evil.  My dad taught us the value of work and doing a job right the first time.  He also taught us the importance of serving others and looking to God for our help.  Our Father in heaven, we refer to Him as God, because He has no beginning or end.  As I was writing this morning my precious Sister in Christ, sent me this, and it was perfect timing on our Father in Heaven,

 

This I believe is from the Father, sent by my friend Carmen; “Even if we don’t see it, God is always working underneath the surface, behind the scenes, and orchestrating His plans and purposes.”  (Louie Giglio)

She always sent Scripture with the quote, today it was John 5:17, But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.”  And she also sent this, and we who are followers of Christ need to apply it in all circumstances.  It is found in the book of Philippians 2:13, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”  Carmen always as she did today sends Scripture and a word of encouragement, God is using her gift to encourage me after my long stay in the hospital.  Yes, God is never early, but always on time!

 

Jesus tells us why the wicked will not adhere to God’s statutes or precepts, as found in  John 8:44, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”  Who is your Father has everything to do with your desire to read and understand God’s Word.  And yes it is easy to look at the faithless with disgust, but as a follower of Jesus, you should do as your Lord has done, at the darkest moment of His life, when He became sin for us when He paid our get out of sin penalty, and the Father looked away from Him for the first time.  He prayed which is recorded in Luke 23:34, And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.”

 

Jesus taught us to be different, to not allow our emotions to rule us, Matthew 5:44-45, But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  Never forget you have received grace and truth, for God’s Holy Spirit lives in you.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice