Resh

¹⁵³ Look upon my suffering and rescue me,
    for I have not forgotten your instructions.
¹⁵⁴ Argue my case; take my side!
    Protect my life as you promised.
¹⁵⁵ The wicked are far from rescue,
    for they do not bother with your decrees.
¹⁵⁶ Lord, how great is your mercy;
    let me be revived by following your regulations.
¹⁵⁷ Many persecute and trouble me,
    yet I have not swerved from your laws.
¹⁵⁸ Seeing these traitors makes me sick at heart,
    because they care nothing for your word.
¹⁵⁹ See how I love your commandments, Lord.
    Give back my life because of your unfailing love.
¹⁶⁰ The very essence of your words is truth;
    all your just regulations will stand forever.

Psalm 119:153-160

Dear God, it is interesting to simultaneously spend time with this psalm and the letters to the churches in Revelation 2-3. I think the big juxtaposition is a man living among like-minded Jews seeking out your justice in his society vs. different churches who are in the minority trying to survive among a majority that is against them and would just as soon kill them and have them gone.

But the psalmist seems frustrated because it’s not working like he thinks it should. From his perspective, I think he would align himself with the people of Smyrna and Philadelphia in his righteousness, but the people in his region–his enemies–would be more like the people in Ephesus, Sartis, or Laodicea: lost their first love, dead inside, and lukewarm, respectively.

With that said, let’s see what today’s verses have for me. Holy Spirit, please walk with me this morning as I go through these verses:

• ¹⁵³ Look upon my suffering and rescue me, for I have not forgotten your instructions. – This psalmist is determined to not be lukewarm, and I applaud him for that. Am I that determined? How low am I willing to let the flame go out of my life before I notice and decide I’ve gone too far? Do I accept this correction in my life? Please, Holy Spirit, give me eyes to see and ears to hear.
• ¹⁵⁴ Argue my case; take my side! Protect my life as you promised. – This is a difficult one because I tend to think more of the people of Smyrna being promised they will be protected from the “second death” but not necessarily physical death from this world. But I don’t think the psalmist ever considered this perspective.
• ¹⁵⁵ The wicked are far from rescue, for they do not bother with your decrees. – This may be true. And it is disappointing that the rain will fall on the bad as well as the good. I just think I need to have more concern about the state of my own heart being submitted appropriately to you and then allowing that love between us to flow to the wicked I see. If they can be brought to you, I would love that.
• ¹⁵⁶ Lord, how great is your mercy; let me be revived by following your regulations. – Yes. Revive me. Even this morning, I am going to be driving between two churches to speak and share your words. Give me your words. Give me your presence. Give me your strength.
• ¹⁵⁷ Many persecute and trouble me, yet I have not swerved from your laws. – If it can be said of me that I did not swerve from your laws regardless of what happened to me, I’ll take it. I can already think of times in my life when I swerved. I can also think of times when I didn’t. Father, have mercy on me. Jesus, have more on me. Holy Spirit, have mercy on me.
• ¹⁵⁸ Seeing these traitors makes me sick at heart, because they care nothing for your word. – “Traitors” is an interesting word here. New American Standard uses “treacherous” here. I think that one makes more sense. Why do people have to be treacherous? Well, I guess it’s because they feel like they have to do everything to protect and promote themselves. God, help them. Help me help them fin you and the freedom of releasing their life so they can find it.
• ¹⁵⁹ See how I love your commandments, Lord. Give back my life because of your unfailing love. – There are parts of my life that are missing, Father. There are sorrows. Heal me. If it’s your will, please restore these parts in my lifetime. But I am trusting you that this is in your timing. I’ve prayed so much for this, I am left only to assume that your answer is either “no” or “not yet.” I trust you.
• ¹⁶⁰ The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever. – You are the only thing that is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Thank you.

Father, I want to close with prayers for friends and family who are sick. Be with each person in my head. Some need healing. Some have unknown needs. Some need your comfort. Oh, Father, be with each one.

I pray this in Jesus and your Holy Spirit,

Amen