Today is our last day on Psalm 119.
“Lord, listen to my cry for help. Make me wise, as you promised. 170 Listen to my prayer. Save me, as you promised. 171 I will burst into songs of praise, because you have taught me your laws. 172 Let my voice sing about your word, because all your commands are good. 173 I have chosen to follow your instructions, so reach out and help me! 174 Lord, I want you to save me. Your teachings make me happy. 175 Let me live to praise you. Let me find the help I need in your laws. 176 I have wandered away like a lost sheep. Come and find me. I am your servant, and I have not forgotten your commands.” Psalm 119: 169-176
David finishes this Psalm by reminding the Lord what He has promised; wisdom, salvation, help, joy and restoration. Aren’t you glad that Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever. No wonder David was filled with joy; God had been consistent throughout His whole life – this is reason to sing.
Jesus displayed this consistency in rescuing Peter while He was walking on the water; He showed the Father’s heart in the story of the prodigal son; He displayed the ultimate in forgiveness and salvation when He spoke to the thief on the cross and prayed for those who had persecuted Him and had Him crucified. His own condition never superseded His love and compassion. Hanging on the cross, He spoke to John about His mother’s well being…God IS love and how better can it be displayed than in the actions of Jesus!
God’s word will be a constant reminder of His love. It will show us how passionate He is about us; how far He will go in His search to restore us and how deep is the river of compassion that flows to us. This truly is reason to sing.
The other morning I was cleaning and listening to Pandora. An old hymn came on and I had to stop what I was doing and listen to the words. This song was written in 1873 but the lyrics are so strong, It is Well with My Soul.
“When peace, like a river, attends my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
- Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
- Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And has shed His own blood for my soul. - My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!”
This is the reason we sing; Christ’s love removes our sin and gives us peace!
In the final verse of this wonderful chapter once again David draws an analogy for us using a shepherd and his sheep and God and his love. Jesus spoke a similar parable.
“All the tax-gatherers and sinners were coming to hear Jesus. 2 The proud religious law-keepers and the teachers of the Law began to speak against Him. They said, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
3 Then Jesus told them a picture-story, saying, 4 “What if one of you had one hundred sheep and you lost one of them? Would you not leave the ninety-nine in the country and go back and look for the one which was lost until you find it? 5 When you find it, you are happy as you carry it back on your shoulders. 6 Then you would go to your house and call your friends and neighbors. You would say to them, ‘Be happy with me because I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven because of one sinner who is sorry for his sins and turns from them, than for ninety-nine people right with God who do not have sins to be sorry for.” Luke 15:1-7 NLV
At one point or another we have all wandered off and gotten lost. What the shepherd doesn’t do is scold, ridicule, beat or in anyway abuse the sheep who was lost. Instead, he picks it up and carries it home. He is so glad to have it back that he throws a party. The sheep was lost and couldn’t get home by itself; sometimes we just get out too far, we become weak and vulnerable and need someone to carry us home – that’s what Jesus does for us!
Let’s end now with a thought from the Apostle Paul – may your day be filled with the overflowing blessings of our Lord and Savior.
“37 But in all these troubles we have complete victory through God, who has shown his love for us. 38-39 Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not death, life, angels, or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us—nothing in the whole created world—will ever be able to separate us from the love God has shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39
There is so much joy in knowing that my Father loves me and that nothing can separate me from His love! It is well.