Psalms 119:121-136 - Homiletics

Looking to God.

A very large part of our Christian life is found in the uplifting of our heart to God in silent or vocal prayer. We look up for—

I. HIS MERCIFUL REGARD . ( Psalms 119:124 , Psalms 119:132 , Psalms 119:135 .) We ask God to regard us as those who have humbled themselves before him, who trust in his mercy, who are his children in Jesus Christ; and we know that we shall not appeal in vain. To all such he has promised his merciful regard, the light of his countenance, his abiding favor, his Divine friendship.

II. SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT . It is the continually recurring note, "Teach me thy statutes." In the words of the awakened apostle, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" In our own ignorance, and in the confusion caused by so many contending voices, each purporting to be the truth, we may well cry, " Give me understanding," etc. ( Psalms 119:125 ). We want to know with whom, in the Church and in the world, we should be associated; what is the true meaning and what the real message our Master delivered by his own lips or through the writings of his apostles; how we can best serve him in the field of active work, etc. We want to be able to distinguish between the plausible and the true, between the attractive and the wise, in all the counsels that are uttered in his Name. There is nothing we more need than spiritual discernment, when so many lights are shining of which we may be sure that some are not kindled at the altar of heavenly wisdom.

III. HIS PROTECTION . ( Psalms 119:121 , Psalms 119:134 .) Oppression is not so rampant now as it has been, but it still exists in many places and in many forms. So that there is still need for the psalmist's prayer; and it may be that many a heart, in loneliness and suffering, finds relief in this appeal to God, "Leave me not to my oppressors." The psalmist goes further; he asks for—

IV. THE ASSURANCE Or HIS PROTECTION . ( Psalms 119:122 .) Such as God gave to Moses when he sent him to Pharaoh, and to David and Solomon when he gave them their thrones; such as Christ gave to Paul when he was in Corinth and was shrinking in spirit before his stupendous task ( Acts 18:9 , Acts 18:10 ). Our Lord gives us the assurance that no harm shall happen to us which he does not permit, which he will not control and overrule for good ( Matthew 5:11 , Matthew 5:12 ; Matthew 10:29-31 ).

V. THE PRESERVATION OF OUR SPIRITUAL INTEGRITY . ( Psalms 119:133 .) Our first and chief obligation is to continue in that path of holy service in which the grace of God has placed us, and to maintain our freedom from everything that degrades and enslaves us. But this is a great thing to do; many have set forth on their Christian course confident of success, and they have been defeated. They have wandered from the way of wisdom; they have become the victim of some degrading habit. They did not look up to God daily and earnestly, or they would have been upheld. If there be any signs, however slight, of moral entanglement, let "our eyes be ever unto the Lord, and he will pluck our feet out of the net" ( Psalms 25:15 ).

VI. HIS INTERVENTION . ( Psalms 119:126 , Psalms 119:136 .) Grieved at heart, perplexed in spirit, overwhelmed by the forces of evil and the temporary triumph of iniquity, what can we do? We may not cease to bear our testimony to the truth, but we may bring our burden to the Lord; we may plead that the cause of righteousness is not ours, but his, and pray, hopefully and even confidently, for the manifestation of his power. "It is time for thee, Lord, to work."