Themes from the Psalm of Psalms (stanza 2)

Psalm 119:9-16 

Beth: Cleansing a wandering heart by delighting in God’s word

9 How can a young man cleanse his way?

By taking heed according to Your word.

10 With my whole heart I have sought You;

Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!

11 Your word I have hidden in my heart,

That I might not sin against You.

12 Blessed are You, O Lord!

Teach me Your statutes.

13 With my lips I have declared

All the judgments of Your mouth.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,

As much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate on Your precepts,

And contemplate Your ways.

16 I will delight myself in Your statutes;

I will not forget Your word.

King David became not only a great king over God’s people in the Old Testament, but also the most famous psalm writer in all of Israel’s history. We saw last time that he is credited with composing the Psalm of psalms, the longest one in the Bible’s book of Psalms: Psalm 119. Twenty-two stanzas, each with 8 verses beginning with a common letter of the Hebrew alphabet. David wrote this magnificent poem to glorify the God he so deeply loved, by telling all the excellent qualities of God’s inspired WORD.

In the first stanza of Psalm 119, we saw the psalmist’s deep longing to be just like the blessed ones he saw who were walking in God’s ways. He could see that the most blessed and joyful people around him were those who were seeking the Lord, not just out of guilt or obligation, but “with their whole heart.” David’s longing comes from a heart of humility that is well aware of the sins he’s capable of. In the middle of this first stanza, his heart cries out: “Oh that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes!” He realized that without God’s help, there was no way he could properly keep all of His commands “diligently,” that is, to FULLY obey them. He wants to avoid being ashamed before men, and utterly forsaken by his God.

We mentioned last time that David’s greatest descendant, the Lord Jesus Christ, came to bear our sin and the shame that went with it, when He went to the cross to die for sinners. He felt the utter forsakenness that was reserved for you and me, when He took David’s place on that cross, and felt the wrath that we deserved for breaking the righteous laws of God.

When a person is born again—born from ABOVE—by God the Holy Spirit, that person receives a brand new heart, a new nature, that longs to become one of the blessed ones who walk in God’s ways. No longer is he or she content to wander and stray from the Father’s commands. Rather, we want to become more and more like Jesus, the Holy One of God, who never displeased His Father in heaven. Like us, Jesus was born under the law of God—the law that demands perfect obedience. But, unlike us, Jesus alone was able to fully obey that law, and He did so in our place!

Those desires are expressed in this second stanza, each verse beginning with BETH, the second Hebrew letter. Verses 9-11 each mention something that David hopes to avoid, knowing that his heart is deceitful and must be trained to walk in God’s ways of righteousness. Let’s read them once again. 

You’ll notice that David writes as a “young man.” He doesn’t pretend to have arrived at a level of wisdom that needs no more instruction. He wants to grow in maturity, to progress in the things of God. He realizes that there is impurity all around him, as well as within him. How can that badness—that defilement—be cleansed? “By taking heed, according to Your word,” he answers.

“Taking heed” goes beyond mere HEARING. “Be doers of the word,” James teaches us, “and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Taking heed of what the Bible teaches means taking possession of its truth for the purpose of living it out. So often a mother or father might tell their child, “How many times have I TOLD you this, and you don’t really LISTEN.” Millions of people may call the Bible “the good book,” but how many of them have proven how “good” it is by putting it into practice? 

Those who want to play a musical instrument well, have to take steps to put their learning into practice. They must place their fingers “just so” and move them in the right ways. They must go over their music again and again, until it is learned and becomes automatic. All of that takes time, daily practice, over months and years. It is the same with the word of God. If we wish to be like the blessed ones who imitate the character of Christ, we must practice the Bible’s teaching.

David’s heart was in the right place. He saw himself as needing to mature, to be instructed. But he confessed that his “whole heart” was in this pursuit of pleasing God. And his heart was crying out with that deep, longing word: OH! “Oh, let me not wander from your commandments” (v. 10). For the Christian, the road map to pleasing God must include “the Big Ten.” God’s moral law, the Ten Commandments. But how many people calling themselves Christians can name all ten of these important rules for life and happiness? For that’s what the 10 Commandments ARE.

Now, I’m not about to go into all ten of the Ten Commandments right now, but I want to encourage you to do so, whoever you are. Please understand: you can go to heaven without following all ten of the Ten Commandments, BUT in order to please God the Father, and in order to fully honor Jesus Christ His Son, these rules ought to be memorized and observed in all the areas of our lives.

And David, as a redeemed Israelite, looking forward to the coming of the Messiah, had a deep, deep longing to NOT WANDER from these commands. They are found in Exodus chapter 20, and in other places, and are definitely to be included in “basic training” for any believer who trusts in Christ to save them. Those who have no desire to please and obey the Lord, cannot really claim to know and love Him. For when someone is born again, a new heart is granted—a heart that is like David’s and longs to not wander from God’s commandments.

Are we making an effort to MEMORIZE God’s word? This is David’s own personal defense against sin in his life. “That I might not sin against You,” Lord, David was praying, “Your word I have hidden in my heart.” I’ve stored it away in my memory, where it is always available to bring it back to mind and go over it again and again. Again, remember that this man was aware of the sins that threatened to overtake him. So often we think of Biblical figures as moral and spiritual giants who rarely needed to repent. But David, Moses, Abraham, and the rest, all had their blind areas and their human weaknesses where Satan attacked them and gained temporary victories. They all needed to learn God’s lessons, admit their mistakes, repent of their sins.

If you’ve never taken the time to memorize the Ten Commandments, for example, what better place could you begin? The first step to avoiding the breaking of God’s law, surely, is to KNOW the laws that are in danger of being broken! People who really CARE about driving safely are the ones who read and commit to memory the RULES of safe driving. David resolved in his heart that he “might not sin against” the God he so greatly loved. So part of keeping that resolution was hiding God’s word in his heart.

A human heart is a WANDERING heart. Make no mistake about it. “All we, like sheep, have gone astray,” wrote Isaiah. “We have turned, every one, to his own way.” Wandering sheep go astray. Wandering sheep get in trouble, they get dirty, they get trapped by enemies, they make messes the Shepherd must deal with. Thank the Lord, we have a “Good Shepherd” who not only “lays down his life for the sheep,” but keeps watch over them and brings them back to the fold when they wander away. But the Christian’s heart is also a LONGING heart.

True believers, like King David, make plans so that they don’t wander as far, or as often, as they once did, or are in danger of wandering. The first step in David’s plan is in verse 12 where He calls on the Lord for His help. “Blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me your statutes.” David has expressed his longing to be among the “blessed ones” who please God by walking in His ways. Now he calls on the “Blessed One” Himself, the fountain of ALL blessing and goodness, to be his own teacher, his own tutor, his own Professor in the school of blessing. And what David asks to be taught are “Your statutes.” Statutes are customs that are PRESCRIBED. They are appointed behaviors that are to be expected by those in authority. 

To receive good things in life, there are certain prescribed behaviors—like working in order to get money, or having a pleasing appearance in order to attract a mate. Likewise, in order to receive God’s greatest blessings, there are things He has prescribed in His word. David wants to be taught those statutes so his life will be free from sin, and open to all the blessings God can give him!

Being taught by God means learning and delighting in His words. Treasuring and trusting the instruction He gives us in the Bible. David takes part in this teaching process in four ways that are mentioned in this stanza: Declaring, Rejoicing, Meditating, and Delighting. Declaring and Rejoicing in the word of God are public matters. Meditating and Delighting in the word are usually private in nature.

“With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth!” Speaking God’s truth out loud in the presence of others, is a sure evidence that one is committed to that truth. We show that we are so convinced of the truth of God’s word, we are happy and excited to share it with others. Even more: “I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies as much as in all riches.” How glad we are when we receive or inherit a large amount of money! But the psalmist can hardly contain his joy in learning and understanding the ways mapped out by the testimony of his God.

“I will meditate on Your precepts and contemplate Your ways,” he goes on to say. What we do and focus on when we’re by ourselves reveals where our hearts truly are. The time we devote to personal meditation on the word might seem to others to be mere inactivity. But to the true lover of God and His word, it leads to the deep delight David mentions next: “I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget your word.”

Committing the truths of the Bible to memory…memorizing key portions…meditating on the wisdom, beauty, goodness and eternal value of those truths…all of these take place in the inner privacy of our minds and hearts. It is when we start to forget God’s faithful words that we begin to slip and backslide into sinful habits and activities that pollute our hearts and lives. But “taking heed according to” the word of the Lord points us to the Savior’s fountain for cleansing: the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. His gospel promises not only eternal life in a perfect heaven and earth, but also daily purification from our sins as we learn to walk in His ways.

Father in Heaven, help us to make more time for meditation, so that we may delight in your truth, not forget it. Remind us day by day to confess our sins and seek the cleansing provided by your Son’s precious blood shed on the cross for us. Thank you for loving us and saving us.

Amen

MNA

10/3/2022

Barefoot on Holy Ground

Treading the dust of Palestine

or scaling the boulders of Horeb,

what did the murderous Moses feel--

likewise his general-successor--

as each bared his feet like an unshod beast

at a stranger's strong command?

What permeated those seeded sands

or radiated from those rocks

that the meekest of shepherds or

the mightiest fighter should quail?

Was the fire that failed to consume

churning through those rigid molecules?

How were those haunts such holier places

than chapels, churchyards studded with stones

or dread cathedrals carved by peasants?

Sinai and Canaan both were hosts

to the feet of One putting idols to flight.

By all rights, all grounds are His alone.

MNA

11/4/2011

Reality Now

I’m flying and crying 

and trying not to show

the feeling I’m stealing

when dealing with my soul.

I’m shaking and faking

and taking far too much

for granted, enchanted,

I wanted just one touch—

Reality now!

Ain’t ya tired of living confusion–

Reality now!

Up against a concrete illusion–

Reality now!

Pardon my unwanted intrusion–

Let’s have a transfusion of truth.

Reality now!

We’re heaving and grieving,

believing every hoax,

evolving and solving,

revolving like a spoke.

We’re playing, betraying

and praying we’re not caught,

but freedom and pardon

and love just can’t be bought—

Reality now!

Ain’t it time to make a decision–

Reality now!

Tear apart this deadly division–

Reality now!

Shutting down our nuclear fission?

Resurrect our vision of God:

Reality now!

MNA

2010

Hope in Heaven

There is hope in Heaven

Where an emerald rainbow shines

Round the throne resplendent

With the glory of the Divine;

Hope for helpless sinners

Who by gracious, transforming pow’r

Loved and trusted Jesus

And were cleansed by mercy’s show’r

There is hope in Heaven

Even though a stern God frowns

With fierce wrath and vengeance

At the debt Adam’s race yet owns…

But amidst the fallen,

Christ the Shepherd sends His call

To flocks from every nation

And in grace shall He save them all.

There is hope in Heaven

Where rejoice an unnumbered throng

Around the Lamb and Lion,

Lifting up a new, heartfelt song.

Vileness, pain and sorrow

Are erased from each heart and face

And hope is changed to gladness

In the Heaven of Christ’s embrace.

MNA

April, 2008

How Things Can Change

 The younger son in Jesus’ “Prodigal Son” parable was an anonymous character, whose actions, words and thoughts revealed a great deal about him. This was also very true about the father and the older son who were cast in the Master’s story. We may not know their names, but their actions and words tell us a lot.

Let’s give them some names, though. I’m calling the father “Richard” because the name has a kingly connotation and this man was in fact a man of wealth and property. The older son I will call “Obie” which is short for Obadiah. He was big on obedience, after all, and the Hebrew meaning of Obadiah could be rendered “slave of Yahweh.”

What do we call the younger son? I think an appropriate name would be “Jack” because it makes you think of impetuous, quick, impatient things like jackrabbits or jackhammers or Jack-in-the-boxes that suddenly spring to life and can quickly change direction. 

Throughout Christ’s parable, we can trace the changes that come over these three characters, at least, the changes in how their different qualities are made manifest by the events that take place. The demand that Jack makes of his dad, Richard’s surprisingly lenient response, Jack’s departure and reckless period of pleasure-seeking, the severe famine that strikes, Jack’s destitution and his resolution to return home, Richard’s even more surprising welcome of Jack, and then there is Obie’s refusal to join in the joyful celebration marking his brother’s return.

Jack is a changed person, indeed, from the time he leaves to the day Richard throws him his welcome-home feast. The ways he experienced those changes, both physical ways and psychological ways, can be traced in his words, thoughts and actions. Originally, at the time Jack made his outlandish demand for his inheritance, his outlook and attitude might be interpreted as follows:

“Life here at Richard’s place is pure boredom. I’m dying to be on my own. I’ll never measure up to Obie – to Mr. Perfect who never makes a mistake. I’m always in his shadow. And dad is still so healthy; it will be years and years yet before I’ll inherit and have the freedom to do my own thing. I feel like a prisoner here. If I just tell Richard how things are, hopefully he’ll be reasonable, give me my money, and be happy to get rid of me. Then I’ll be free to go somewhere I’ll be appreciated.”

There are quite a few areas in the previous description that were destined for change. And perhaps Richard wasn’t as blind to those necessities of change as might have appeared on the day he signed over one third of his wealth to his younger son. He might have signed the check with tears in his eyes, or simply trusting that Providence would teach Jack the life lessons he needed, lessons Richard had been unable to teach up to that point. But, from how things eventually DID change, we see some clear reflections of our Savior’s love in the way Richard reacted to Jack’s demand, and the way He acted at Jack's return.

Jack cashed Richard’s check, and before you knew it, was gone. He was out of the box, so to speak. He dashed, quick as a bunny, to Pleasure Town, U.S.A. And there, he threw himself the party he’d always dreamed of. An unending jubilee to celebrate his independence from the realm of King Richard. He surrounded himself with happy, exciting people who, like him, were drunk with pleasure. No annoying “Obie” types around to spoil the fun.

But inevitably, Jack ran out of jack. The money was depleted. The party was over. Food was scarce even when he could afford to buy some. None of his friends would help him and most of them were begging as well. Jack came face to face with himself for the first time. He found himself alone. Scraping for a living in a pigsty. His clothes had holes in them and his innards were grinding with hunger. Fate hadn’t been kind. Lady Luck was on a vacation. Life just wasn’t fair. He HAD to find SOMETHING to eat!

But there was no one around who could help him. No food pantries, no aid societies, no homeless shelters, no government welfare. He was far from home…

HOME. All of a sudden, it occurred to Jack that home was his only hope. But he could never return there. Leastways, not as a SON.

The hard facts of life had done a number on Jack’s mindset. At the beginning, all he wanted from Richard was money and freedom. “Just give me what’s mine, and let me go!” was his attitude and his desire. But now, all he knew he could expect from Richard was resentment and judgment. The money was all spent. The freedom was wasted and discarded. Now there was only emptiness, hunger, need. What he wanted now was mercy. Mercy and life. He had blown it. All he amounted to now was a pitiful charity case.

This is how drastically things can change.

“Father, I have sinned against Heaven and in your sight. I am not worthy anymore to be your son. Make me like one of your hired servants. Just let me work for some food. Whatever you can spare, I’ll be thankful. I’ll never ask you for another thing!” Jack’s plea ran through his imagination constantly as he hitched and walked his way back from Pleasure Town – where life had drained him of his pride and arrogance. The disappointment on Richard’s face was there in his mind, haunting his dreams. His past failures and the shameful way he’d left his home must have gnawed at his soul.

Jack’s life was full of surprises. He was likely surprised that Richard had agreed so readily to give him his inheritance. He was surprised how easy the good life was when you could spend money freely. Then, he was surprised how quickly life turned against you when the funds ran low. Surprised at how low you could get when you were lost and alone with no one who knew or cared.

But the new, humble Jack was in for his greatest surprise of all. His begging speech was only just beginning when he found himself in a place he had never hoped to be.

Back in his father’s arms!

Finally, Jack was coming to know what REAL life was all about. I suppose he’d always known that Richard was a loving person – maybe even a “pushover” who would be generous with a demanding son. But life had taught Jack that you couldn’t always count on people’s generosity to get you by. Now, however, in the embrace of his weeping, joyful father, he found out what love truly is.

Love doesn’t expect you always to “toe the line” like Obie did, and obey out of pure obligation and the threat of punishment. Love doesn’t even INSIST that you love in return if you aren’t ready or willing. Love gives. And gives. And keeps on giving. And when love loses someone, it is willing to wait for the lost to return.

Then, when the lost one comes home, humble, broken, dirty and sore-footed, love calls for the feast to begin!

Richard’s household had never experienced a blowout like the one that welcomed Jack back home. And the only one who could threaten the happy father’s joy… was Obie. The firstborn of the house. The heir of the “lion’s share” of wealth. The one who still dreamed of freedom when Richard breathed his last, but was willing to wait things out.

Life had taken its toll on Obie as well. Life had taught him that it was cold, demanding and inflexible. You had to stay in your place, stake out your territory, learn and follow the rules, be the best, excel, meet everyone’s expectations, take no chances. You reap what you sow. End of story. 

Life had taught Obie nothing, or at least very little, about Richard’s love. Richard’s heart. Richard’s hope for lost Jack. Obie’s only hope for Jack was that he would learn the lesson that sin brought inevitable and unremitting punishment. That Jack would get what he deserved!

Both sons began basically in the same place in relation to their dad. Both Jack and Obie saw Richard as a source of wealth and freedom. Things that would be theirs someday. Neither of them really loved their father. Jack finally learned what love truly is.

I wonder if Obie ever learned that lesson. Or have I?

What God Is Like

God is like that. But not all the time.

Always good, right and holy, but

To us, His ways often fail to rhyme.

God is like that. And I can depend

On eternal resolution,

But for now, He might not seem my Friend.

God is like that. Traced by human sense

Through the strata of history,

But for scoffers leave scant evidence.

God is like that. Paying what is owed

On the scales of Eliphaz, but

Often pointing saints down suffering’s road.

God is like that. Little do I see

The lessons angels still must learn

Watching how Providence deals with me.

God is like that. But not all the time.

Always good, right and holy, and

On that Day, His reasons all will rhyme.

MNA

September 22, 2022

My Savior and I

Reflected light passing through air,

through membrane and humor,

on retina falls;

sensory cells transform that light

to signals electric

for optic nerve travel

into my brain, where other cells

turn upside-down pictures

to images clear;

and I can see, all un-amazed,

the bright forms and colors

in flawless 3-D.

No light reflects, no signals pass

from me to the Watcher

who fashioned my eyes.

His presence fills heaven and earth,

His pow'r energizes

the works of His mind.

He knows my thoughts, He holds my heart,

He judges my motives

with mercy and love.

For I am His and He is mine

through uncounted eons -- 

my Savior and I.

MNA

9/13/2022