All Your Paths Are Before God

From: June 12 – 18, 2012

TOPIC: “All Your Paths Are Before God” Psalm 119:161-168 One hopes that those who are at our side will be righteous, but sometimes it is not that way. That is why we can see what the Psalmist said, "... persecute me without cause ..." (vs. 161). It is like saying: "I have not done anything to be taken to court, for those who have been with me to condemn me." Our peers, who are our friends and colleagues, should think the same way. But, the prejudice of many does not allow them to judge fairly. Let us understand that a person with prejudice is not a noble person. The more you seek the Lord they condemn you without a reason. But, you can’t expect more from men, their heart is deceitful. If they speak in a bad way of us and lie, it seems that this could lead us to despair, but no, let us not be discouraged in spite of the worse they can do or that may seem unable to bear. Despite all this, what we do is work with a lot of effort in this glorious way of the Lord to improve this poor world. May nothing stop us! "But my heart trembles at your words" (V. 161). When one fears after knowing God and His Word, things are received by one differently than by the world. The wrath of man, no matter how impetuous, is appeased compared to the wrath of the living God. Even if someone is raging against us, that cannot separate us from the love of God, even if they place us in a bonfire. It is grave when a child is under the wrath of God, that's like being locked in a furnace of fire where there is not a single crack open for the heat to escape or to be refreshed with a little air. The Word of God is the most precious jewel. It is the oldest and most sacred relic that exists on earth. So let us know WHAT we have come close to. Let there be in us the fear of God when considering His Word. Let us with due reverence use our knowledge of it without vainglory and not for frivolous disputes. The word is to edify us, to edify others and to consider it is honor submissive to God. Those who tremble when convicted by the Word can succeed in the consolations of it. "I rejoice at your word ..." (vs. 162), is like one who finds a great gaiter. Every book is paper wrongfully wasted, but the Scriptures are called "The Word" for its eminence. When this arrives into our lives then God has arrived and we must walk as He pleases. Verse 163, "I hate and abhor falsehood." This is an expression due to the intensity of the hatred. The psalmist loathes and detests falsehood because he sees it in men in their doctrine, in the falsehood of the life they live, in what they speak, etc. The falsehood in all its forms had become quite obnoxious to the psalmist. He continues to say: "I love Your law." The psalmist loves the law extremely. It should be with all our heart to love the law in order to fill all emptiness; otherwise, there will be no guarantee from falling again in sin. "Seven times a day I praise you because of your righteous judgments" (Vs 164). He praises God every moment for His wisdom and justice. Seeing God in His admirable character leads us to praise Him without ceasing. Praying is how you learn to pray! He woke up before dawn to exercise in prayer (Psalm 5:3), and at midnight frequently to pour out his soul in prayer (Psalm 119: 62). Now, the psalmist says that seven times a day he finds an opportunity to delight in worship.

"Great peace have they who love your law" (V. 165). It does not speak of those who preserve the law perfectly but of those who love it. He speaks of those who between the storms and tempests of the world are perfectly calm in the heart. Not only they do the will of God but they do it with love. They are at peace with God through the blood of reconciliation; they are at peace with themselves because of a good conscience and also at peace with men. That peace is not taken away by anything, not tribulation, or scandals, or persecution, or temptation, or the apostasy of the so-called friends. Neither will the peace go away for what is seen, heard or struggled. Although you're left alone, that will provoke you to be closer to God; then you’ll have more intimate communion with Him, and thus, clinging to the Lord and His promises, our hearts can enter the secret place of the Most Highest, and even if we are threatened by everything, agitated and alarmed, within us there is: a perfect peace! A clear conscience is an aid to comforting thoughts. "...and I follow your commands" (V. 166). David calls the Word of God (verse 105) a lamp at his feet. If the eyes see, then the feet can walk without tripping. Those who have learned the Word of God know that the law was not invalidated by the faith, but confirmed by it (Romans 3:31). Each commandment is for justice and peace among men. Reading the Word will be a torch to light the way and thus deliver us from Hell. "I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you" (V. 168). It is a blessing for the compassionate for God to see the secrets of their heart, but for the wicked it is terrible. How useful would it be for us to always bear in mind the fact that God is watching us! All our ways are before Him. He is the great, the Almighty God whose gaze comes to us every day. Let us live as clear about this as the Psalmist lived and we will win the race; we will not have the impediments of the ignorant and arrogant who do not take into consideration the Word of God or the Creator's watchful eye upon every man created. Amen.