True Resistance
Zayin
Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.
The arrogant mock me unmercifully,
but I do not turn from your law.
I remember, Lord, your ancient laws,
and I find comfort in them.
Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
who have forsaken your law.
Your decrees are the theme of my song
wherever I lodge.
In the night, Lord, I remember your name,
that I may keep your law.
This has been my practice:
I obey your precepts.
Psalm 119:49-56
Most mornings one of the first things I do is read the news. Typically, across the three or four papers that I read, there is at least one article mocking Christians in some form or another. Do you find that?
How does it make you feel when you read or hear people mock following Jesus?
Like the Psalmist, I feel a level of indignation. It comes in thoughts like, they don’t understand! And, how dare they!
And there is something right about this feeling. On the road to Damascus, Jesus tells Paul that to persecute His people is to persecute Him. Is that not also true of mocking?
To mock God is a terrible thing. Would you mock a kind and generous Father who cares for His children? Would you mock the lifesaver after they have rescued a drowning person? Would you mock a King in their own country to their face? You wouldn’t. And they shouldn’t.
But what about you? The mocking will continue. But what will you do? Will you stand firm? Or will you join the mockers? Will you turn from His law or will you make it the background music of your life?
For Today:
Pray: Praise the Father that He is good, glorious and worthy of all praise. Give thanks for Jesus who is the righteous rescuer and worthy of all praise. Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and all people give God the praise and honour He deserves.
Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.
The arrogant mock me unmercifully,
but I do not turn from your law.
I remember, Lord, your ancient laws,
and I find comfort in them.
Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
who have forsaken your law.
Your decrees are the theme of my song
wherever I lodge.
In the night, Lord, I remember your name,
that I may keep your law.
This has been my practice:
I obey your precepts.
Psalm 119:49-56
Most mornings one of the first things I do is read the news. Typically, across the three or four papers that I read, there is at least one article mocking Christians in some form or another. Do you find that?
How does it make you feel when you read or hear people mock following Jesus?
Like the Psalmist, I feel a level of indignation. It comes in thoughts like, they don’t understand! And, how dare they!
And there is something right about this feeling. On the road to Damascus, Jesus tells Paul that to persecute His people is to persecute Him. Is that not also true of mocking?
To mock God is a terrible thing. Would you mock a kind and generous Father who cares for His children? Would you mock the lifesaver after they have rescued a drowning person? Would you mock a King in their own country to their face? You wouldn’t. And they shouldn’t.
But what about you? The mocking will continue. But what will you do? Will you stand firm? Or will you join the mockers? Will you turn from His law or will you make it the background music of your life?
For Today:
- How do you feel when people mock Jesus?
- Are you tempted to join in?
- How could you continue to stand firm in faith?
Pray: Praise the Father that He is good, glorious and worthy of all praise. Give thanks for Jesus who is the righteous rescuer and worthy of all praise. Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and all people give God the praise and honour He deserves.
Posted in Psalms
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