Rejecting Or Accepting The Word Series

PSALM 119: 113-120 [The Ministry of The Word Series]

REJECTING OR ACCEPTING THE WORD / TRUST AND TREMBLE

[1 Corinthians. 3:11–15]

The psalmist's love, trust and hope is in the Word of God, but he knows that not all people's heart and life are so devoted to God. The psalmist thus reflects upon those who reject God's Word (CIT). God reveals that they are double-minded (v. 113), evildoers (v. 115), strayers, deceitful (v. 118). Their judgment therefore is certain (v. 119). No wonder he feels a holy reverence before God (v. 120).

In this age of sentimentalism and vague spirituality, we need to share his sense of awe and reverence. The psalmist's love, faith and hope are entirely devoted to the God of revelation, as should ours, because God is our Refuge, Shield, Sustainor and Deliverer. [Each verse begins with Samekh, the 15th letter of the Hebrew alphabet.]

I. REFUGE IN GOD, 113-115.

II. RELIANCE ON GOD, 116-117.

III. REJECTED BY GOD, 118-119.

IV. REVERENCE FOR GOD, 120.

Our psalmist had an utter contempt for those who reject God's Word in favor of man's thoughts as he states in verse 113. "I hate those who are double-minded, But I love Your law."

Double-minded people refuse to make up their mind between good and evil. [Could be loosely translated as wishy washy, riding the fence, won't take a stand, see-sawing, or divided thoughts]. They falter or vacillate between two opinions. They are more concerned with popularity than with truth. James says, the double-minded man is "unstable in all his ways" (James 1:8).

When it comes to obeying God there is no middle ground. You must take a stand. Either you are obeying Him or you are not. Either you are obeying Him or you are being destabilized by the world, the flesh and the devil.

In opposition to this vacillation, the psalmist loves God's law, which is straightforward, trustworthy, and absolute. The opposite of the eternal and infallible law of God is the wavering, changing opinion of men. In proportion to his love to the law was his hate and rejection of man's thoughts, opinions and inventions.

We too like the Psalmist must choose to love God's Word. We must not be pliable to the thoughts and ways of fallen man, but be devoted to God's unchanging Word.

David loved hoped in God's Word because, as verse 114 declares, God was his Refuge and Shield. "You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your Word."

The Word of God leads him to the God of the Word as he confesses: "You are my hiding place and my shield" (Ps. 28:7).With these metaphors, he shows us that God is his protection and his protector. Like a deep cave, he hides in the Almighty. Like a shield in battle, his God covers him, so no enemy can corrupt or damage him.

To dwell in the Presence of the Lord brings shelter and protection. God is our refuge (ser, s ter, "hiding place") and defender in the storms of our troubles. God is the source of our protection from all the world throws at us.

He therefore "hopes in" God's Word. The reason for this is simple: God has proven Himself as the One who will take care of him. God has faithfully fulfilled His Word to him and now His Word is the psalmist's hope. God has proven Himself as David's tower of strength against his enemies therefore he places his trust and hope in God's keeping and protecting Word.

The writer then addressed the wicked, demanding that they leave him in verse 115. "Depart from me, evildoers, that I may observe the commandments of my God."

With divine boldness, the psalmist commands, "Depart from me, you evildoers." He has no time for those rebelling against the Word of God. Since we are influenced by the company we keep, evildoers are not to be a part of our company(1 Cor. 15:33). [Today we command man and spirit in name of Jesus.]

The demand for evildoers to depart is because he is resolved to do the will of the God who protects him. Thus he confesses "For I will keep [‘preserve'] the commandments of my God!" Notice the claim "my God" in the psalmist cry. Because he was committed to Yahweh as his God, he was committed to obeying His Word.

II. RELIANCE ON GOD, 116-117.

The psalmist asked God to sustain and deliver him as he has promised in verse 116. "Sustain me according to Your Word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope."

Based upon his decision to keep God's Word, he prays, "Uphold me according to Your Word, that I may live." It is important to note that God not only gives us His Word; He also gives us the strength to obey it. Life is to be found here, in fellowship with Him and in obedience to Him.