Psalm 119:176. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
And after a thorough cleansing from a steady drizzle last night, Wednesday had opened windy and sunshiny, but unfortunately some dark clouds are now entering the fray, and the power of the sun seems to be waning. However, we cannot afford to allow the weather, whatever it might be, to thwart our major purpose down here on earth; that’s spreading the good news of Christ’s gospel and living the way it says we’re supposed to live. That’s being the salt of the earth and the light of the world, showing our LOVE for each other in true discipleship.
And the Good Library just opened at an interesting point, the last section of the longest psalm, Psalm 119. And I don’t believe I’ve ever really considered before, but it does contain invaluable wisdom to help us do God’s work. So let’s read it together. ‘Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord; give me understanding according to thy word. Let my supplication (prayer of supplication) come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
My lips shall utter praise when thou hast taught me thy statutes. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts. I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my delight. Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgements help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.’ (Ps. 119:169-176)
Ah friends, such heartfelt prayer is what’s needed in these tough and troubled times. And we’ll notice two important things in the passage; the psalmist is crying out for the Lord’s help, but he’s also entreating Him to teach him His statutes, and commandments and to give him understanding so he can navigate the Lord’s word. It’s a combination of sentiments that cannot be separated. If we want the Lord’s help, we must lean His word and then give Him the praise He’s due.
Hear these pleas: ‘give me understanding…deliver me…when thou hast taught me thy statutes…my tongue shall speak of thy word…I have chosen thy precepts…I have longed for thy salvation…thy law is my delight…’ Can we say those same things in utter sincerity my fellow believers? I don’t think so, because our current behaviour does not point in that direction. Too many of us supposed believers don’t read the Lord’s word, either because we claim to be too busy, or we’re simply not interested. But we surely are interested in receiving His mercy, grace and favour!
However, we will not get one without the other. You’ll notice how the psalmist longed to know the word of the Lord because he found it to be righteous, it was his delight. But not many of us feel that way today. And the marvellous thing about learning the Lord’s word is that it encourages us to give Him praise. The psalmist declares (yesss!!!) ‘my lips shall utter praise…my tongue shall speak of thy word…let my soul live, and it shall praise thee…’ As the old people would say, it takes two to tango, and one hand can’t wash itself, it needs two.
That’s the way our God has designed His universe: We are partners with Him; and partners all have a part to perform to make the partnership successful. The Lord has already done most of His, by sending his Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven, washed clean, then help those who want help to come to the knowledge of His Son’s saving grace. Meanwhile we need to believe, to learn His word, and practice it. And sadly, we’re not doing such a good job, otherwise our world would not be in the disastrous and chaotic state it’s currently in.
Yes my fellow Christians, if we had put up a better Christian performance down through the last few years, our world would definitely not have sunk so low in the devil’s evil morass. But no, we have disregarded our bounden duty so much that it has allowed the evil one to gain a strong foothold in our world. The good news though is that we’re not beaten…that is if we get up our godly gumption and come out fighting on the Lord’s behalf. No, all is not lost, but we have to retool; be unified, get into the word in a serious manner, then sincerely live it, while crying out for God’s help!
You know there are several billion Christians on the planet, and if each one of us just made one good Christian decision each day, and put it into action, you’d be surprised at the difference we’d make in a short space of time. But we have to get serious and sincere…RIGHT NOW…for time is running out, and each day we delay, the enemy gets stronger and thus it gets harder to defeat him. And it’s not like the Lord isn’t there, only too willing to help us, but we need to pull ourselves together first.
And this last verse of Psalm 119 seems like a most appropriate cry for most of us: ‘I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.’ (Ps. 119:176) Ah mih people, if that cry came up to heaven with all sincerity, I’m sure the Lord would not refuse to help us, but He must see sincerity and true desire in the motives of our hearts not simply a means to achieve our lustful desires. Remember His awesome promise in Jeremiah: ‘And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.’ (Jer. 29:13)
Now that’s what it will take for us to get the ball rolling, seeking Almighty God with all of our heart! So, let’s do it nuh mih bredrin. We have nothing to lose and so much to gain! And in light of al that we’ve said, it’s time to go home sincerely declaring (chuh man!!!) our Wednesday Wail, letting the whole world know our awesome position in Christ Jesus!
As one strong voice: ‘Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: I’m so glad to be alive on this Wednesday! Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday: Thank God the breath of life is still flowing through me on this Wednesday! I am halfway home. My hands are fixed securely on the plough, and I’m not turning back. I’m not looking back at the past, not focusing on what has gone before. But my eyes are fixed straight ahead; straight ahead to a glorious future with Jesus. Glory Hallelujah!’
And there’s this added promise; that if we endure to the very end with Jesus, then that future will be even more glorious than we ever ask or imagine! Wow! So let’s all promise to meet up there at the very end nuh! Much LOVE!
…living for God is a serious full-time business…and takes serious work and sacrifice…
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