Monthly Archives June 2015

Vs. 153 — Consider my affliction and deliver me, For I do not forget Your law.

Charles H. Spurgeon:

The writer has a good case, though it be a grievous one, and he is ready, yea anxious, to submit it to the divine arbitration. His matters are right, and he is ready to lay them before the supreme court. His manner is that of one who feels safe at the throne. Yet there is no impatience: he does not ask for hasty action, but for consideration. In effect he cries—“Look into my grief, and see whether I do not need to be delivered. From my sorrowful condition judge as to the proper method and time for my rescue.” The Psalmist desires two things, and these two things blended: first, a full consideration of his sorrow; secondly, deliverance; and, then, that this deliverance should come with a consideration of his affliction. It should be the desire of every gracious man who is in adversity that the Lord should look upon his need, and relieve it in such a way as shall be most for the divine glory, and for his own benefit.    (Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). The treasury of David: Psalms 111-119 (Vol. 5, p. 413). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)

Prayer:

Consider my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget Your law. Here I am before You, My Father and God. You alone can deliver me from such affliction and wrestling within my soul. Trouble without and wrestling within; You are able to deliver from both. It is because of the Spirit of Holiness that I wrestle with the sin nature within. It is because of the same Spirit that I am a stranger and sojourner in this shadowland, and therefore do not fit and conform to the ways of this world. Because of Your work in and on me, I call to You for grace in this moment. Be it according to Your perfect will and way. Amen.

Vs. 152 — Concerning Your testimonies, I have known of old that You have founded them forever.

Charles Bridges:

Let us mark this eternal basis of “the testimonies of God.” The whole plan of redemption was emphatically “founded for ever”: the Saviour was “foreordained before the foundation of the world.” The people of God were “chosen in Christ before the world began!” The great Author “declares the end from the beginning,” and thus clears his dispensations from any charge of mutability or contingency. Every event in the church is fixed, permitted, and provided for—not in the passing moment of time, but in the counsels of eternity. When, therefore, the testimonies set forth God’s faithful engagements with his people of old, the recollection that they are “founded for ever” gives us a present and unchangeable interest in them. And when we see that they are grounded upon the oath and promise of God—the two “immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie”—we may truly “have strong consolation” in venturing every hope for eternity upon this rock; nor need we be dismayed to see all our earthly dependencies—“the world, and the lust, and the fashion of it—passing away” before us.    (Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). The treasury of David: Psalms 111-119 (Vol. 5, p. 412). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)

Prayer:

Concerning Your testimonies, I have known of old that You have founded them forever. Even when I was serving myself–dead in my trespasses and sins, You had placed Your truth within my heart. I knew, though I tried to ignore, that Your way is The Way that we are created to life in. And in your perfect timing You had mercy upon me and subdued my heart by Thy Spirit. What I knew sprouted, rather, it exploded and consumed me giving new life in Christ Jesus. You conquered this rebel and made me a son of heaven’s glory. I am now speechless in awe and praise.