THE WORD AND THE DAY OF TESTING

As we read Psalm 119, we are reminded of the words of the Lord Jesus to His disciples, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”, John 16. 33. Persecution has always been the lot of Christians. The psalmist had his share of this, and in verse 51 he tells us that the derision of sinners should not lead to a turning away from the Word of God. Verse 61 implies that the action of sinners should not lead the Christian to sin. We should leave the matter in the hands of God, and continue to feed on the Word of God, v. 78. Verse 157 suggests that, in spite of opposition, we should not swerve from God’s Word.

Looking at these verses more closely, we discover that, though many attempts were made to turn the psalmist away, the effect was to drive him closer to the Word. There he found strength and consolation. It is hard to stand up to ridicule, v. 51. When we are taunted for being a “goody-goody”, and worse, when our Saviour is taunted through us, what can we do? This man refused to turn from God’s teachings in order to comply with the wishes of men. Having considered his position, he said “no”. What would he have done without the Word?

“The bands of the wicked have robbed me”, v. 61. What to do now? Many times Christians have suffered the spoiling of their goods, Heb. 10. 34. The believer does not retaliate in like fashion—he does not do wrong to avoid wrong. He does not forget the law of his God which bids forgiveness for those who harm. In verse 78, we see that, although men dealt perversely with him, it was without a cause. His meditation in the Word was standing him in good stead. His life could stand the test of inspection. Thus Daniel’s enemies looked at him and they could find “none occasion nor fault”, Dan. 6. 4. They persecuted, but failed to move him; he knew his God. Many were the persecutors and enemies of the psalmist, v. 157, yet because of the influence of the Word, he continued with God.

Listen to men in the N.T. “Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word”, Acts 4. 29; “they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word”, 8. 4; “I suffer trouble … the word of God is not bound”, 2 Tim. 2. 9.