Psalm 119:113-120

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GOOD MORNING! Not one of us can live as we ought to live without the grace of God living within our souls. For every law of God, there is also a provision of grace given, so that we might live by His precepts. "By my God," wrote the Psalmist, "I have run through a troop,"…and.. "have I leaped over a wall."[1]

All of the sustenance we need is found in our LORD and Saviour JESUS CHRIST. "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."[2] … "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." [3]

For every word of command, God has made a provision of grace, enabling us to live by His precepts. All of the guidance, all of the strength, all of the encouragement is provided in our LORD JESUS CHRIST. "Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."[4]

The passage we read today is Psalm 119 verses 113 through 120: "I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood. Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments."[5]

Ecclesiastes, the Bible book that explores the vain doctrine of human reason and logic, concludes with a statement of Bible doctrine: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."[6]

There is a most unworthy saying passing around, one that is altogether false: "There is nothing to fear except fear itself." The Bible declares: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. … The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."[7]

It is most right that we should have a healthy fear of the LORD. We ought to fear to offend Him. We ought to "stand in awe and sin not." [8]

Listen again to the Psalmist's final words in this section, "My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments."

Such "fear" is the reverence, the holy awe of the true Sovereign. Indeed, this is the horror of sin as deserving God's judgment.

The more we love the LORD, the God of all grace, the more firmly we will strive against that which we know is displeasing to the holy will of the LORD God. This fear is a proper reverence that makes us know that we are standing on holy ground.

The instruction of Scripture is: "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire." [9]

The Bible explains that this fear is not a fear that has torment, but a fear that increases watchfulness, and walks hand in hand with perfect confidence in saving grace.

Let us carefully consider the Psalmist's petition written here for our learning: "Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word: … Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: And let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe:"

The Psalmist is saying that it was so necessary that the LORD should be the strength and support of His servant that he could not live without sustaining grace.

Our God has provided all the necessary keeping power, we are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."[10]

As God’s child, we are not pleading for that which is lacking, we are asking in faith for that which God has promised. "Uphold me according unto thy word."

Christian, you will never have occasion to be ashamed of your hope in the LORD! "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."[11]

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.[12]

AMEN.

[1] Psalm 18:29
[2] 2 Corinthians 12:9
[3] Philippians 4:19
[4] 1 Corinthians 1:30-31
[5] Psalm 119:113-120
[6] Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
[7] Proverbs 1:7; 9:10
[8] Psalm 4:4
[9] Hebrews 12:28-29
[10] 1 Peter 1:5
[11] Hebrews 6:19-20
[12] From "The Solid Rock" by Edward Mote

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