Sunday School: Psalm 119:137-152 Hebrew letters Tsadhe and Qoph
Righteousness seems to be the theme in the first section here.
Our society has a lot to say about what 'righteous' is......but usually those ideas are wrong.
It is not good works, it is not moral living, it is not noble causes, etc.
Righteousness means always doing what is right. God alone is truly righteous. We are not.
"There is none righteous, no not one....." found in Psalm 14, 53, and quoted in Romans 3.
God alone is righteous, and it is He who defines what 'righteous' is.
Note that both his rule (law) and 'testimonies'(what He says about Himself) are righteous. Always right, always true, never deceitful or misleading. Never changing.
"Zeal" for God's word......is always appropriate. The psalmist feels this because other are NOT holding God's word up as authoritative and true. They forget God's Word.
His foes are many,.....foes because they attack God and His Word. But his thought is this.....that God's promises are true, well refined and without flaw....he will seek God's word diligently.
(the point was made that being righteous (imputed righteousness) should mean you have no or at least few enemies......after all, if you are doing right, who could hate you? But.....following God flies in the face of the 'enemy'......those unregenerate who really believe themselves to be their own 'god', or demi-gods, in control or their own destiny, and living (as other psalms read) as though God either doesn't exist or can't see them. These react against the upright, because the upright represent the God they really hate. Even in church circles (term used lightly) the Word of God is being attacked, made little of, changed, judged, etc. )
but though his foes forget, the psalmists' thought is that God's promises are true, well refined , and without flaw. Though 'small and despised', he will cling to God's righteous Word. Things change, society changes, the 'moral atmosphere' changes, but God does not. Ever.
"Give me understanding.....o conform to Your Law." Help me rightly know You.
In the next section, the psalmist proclaims his undivided attention to God. 24 hours a day, he knows he needs God, with a sense of urgency. This section is about obedience and prayer. Prayer, is the first priority of his day, and continues through the day and night. Obedience comes from one who meditates on God's Law.....and knows it well. (See sermon notes from Heb. 4:12)
The enemies draw near to persecute and are far from God's Law.......
But God is near, and is unchanging, true, and faithful.....tested and found to be consistent. He is certain.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``
Sermon, Bart Lester, Hebrews chapter 4, particularly verse 12.
Bart's (and my!) personal experience validates God's Word.
Part of our denomination's statement is that we are "true to the Scriptures". The Word is our authority and the foundation of doctrine and theology. Many current denominations and churches do not hold the Bible as central. Instead they water it down, re-define it, make it small, belittle it, and charge that it is irrelevant. This is not our stance!
The first section of this chapter speaks of 'rest'. We all long for it, need it, and strive for it, but it can't be found this side of heaven. The Sabbath established by God is temporary and a picture of God's ultimate rest for us. It points us to a more certain and eternal rest without struggles, pressures, and temptations.
'rest' in the context of the OT passages quoted meant freedom from slavery, harassment, and being poor and needy as a people. They did not have rest because of unbelief and disobedience.
'rest in the context of the Hebrew's the book is addressed to meant freedom from political oppression, and freedom from harassment also, as they were cut off from friends and family due to following Christ. They were in danger of not entering the true rest found in Christ, because they were contemplating returning to Judaism where it wasn't so difficult to be accepted.
The writer is pointing out the true rest can only be found in Christ. This is sure and certain. (ties to Psalm 119!)
He makes the point that we are to aim to enter that rest, it isn't a given.... then launches into verse 12.
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."
We enter that rest, when we give God's Word central priority.
This Word is alive and active.
Sharp, never dull.
Hard, not soft.
Right, never wrong.
Current in any age, not ancient.
Powerful, not weak.
Always relevant in any age, never irrelevant.
Effective. It never fails.
It is described as a weapon that pierces, or penetrates, to the parts of a man/woman that cannot be seen, dividing what is indivisible. Revealing what can't be seen. It exposes us to God, who knows and sees all. It makes naked before Him....with no cover, no defense, no secrets, no lies.
Completely bare,.........and uncomfortable.
But remember...we are aiming for complete rest. How does this work?
The Word teaches us of our sin, tells us what is right, and teaches us of God's redemptive plan. Because of this Word, we become aware of our dependent and vile state, and are able to confess and repent.
We have a Great High Priest....Christ, who stands for us. He who knew no sin, the perfect sacrifice, mediator, and high priest, provides the way for us to draw near to the throne of grace and mercy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Meditation for thought from the bulletin:
"Faith has no more real or solid praise than when a godly man, seeing himself attacked on all sides, and unable to find comfort in men, despises the world's madness and unburdens his griefs and cares on God's lap, and rests quietly in the hope of His promises."
(John Calvin, Harmony of the Gospels)
This is the theme I see running throughout all the Psalms.
No comments:
Post a Comment