More Precious than Gold
Only Jesus could pray, “I have done justice and righteousness (Psalm 119:121a).” Still, like David, this remains every Christian’s desire, to walk uprightly. These are also the elements of our lives that invite persecution, and so the plea is made, “Do not leave me to my oppressors (Ps 119:121b).” The psalmist was under great pressure when he wrote these words. This is true for the Christian life, too (Jn 14:27).
Who has made Himself a ransom for many (Mt 20:28; Mk 10:45)? Jesus Christ is the Christian’s surety (Heb 7:22). Our debt of sin is beyond human calculation. The child of God is not good, so he prays, “Be surety for Thy servant for good, do not let the arrogant oppress me (119:122).” It is Christ Jesus, who alone can pay our bond, and in love, He does it with joy (Heb 12:2). We have a sure salvation.
Because Jesus has bought us for a price with His own precious blood (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor 6:20; 1 Pet 1:19), our debt of sin is cancelled (Col 2:14). Justice is satisfied and righteousness is secured. Therefore, we belong to Christ (1 Cor 3:23), having become His slaves (Eph 6:6). He is a noble Master, and our labors for Him are filled with gratitude (Eph 5:20).
The Christian looks for deliverance, “My eyes fail with longing for Thy salvation, and for Thy righteous Word (119:123).” It is impossible to please God without faith (Heb 11:6). God’s righteous Word brings forth faith when it is heard (Rom 10:17). There are divine promises that are sure and give hope (2 Cor 1:20). These must be consistently brought to remembrance, if there is to be faithfulness. The Spirit produces faithfulness, in those in union with Christ (Gal 5:22), while we wait upon the Lord (Ps 27:14).
Everyone deserves hell, but the believer prays, “Deal with Thy servant according to Thy lovingkindness, and teach me Thy statutes (119:124).” Every thought, word, and action must be predicated on God’s mercy (Rom 9:23). God does not deal with us according to our sins (Ps 103:10).
Even with God as our Savior (Titus 3:5), we need His Spirit to be our Teacher (Jn 14:26). Having escaped the clutches of Satan, the chief oppressor, there is a new desire to want to learn the way of God (Jn 14:6). Obedience has become pleasant and hatred of sin is the new normal.
The Christian is marked by the desire to want to know the One who gave Himself for her. Her sentiment is, “I am Thy servant, give me understanding, that I may know Thy testimonies (119:125).” It is our ambition to please Him (2 Cor 5:9).
The Holy Spirit reveals the Word of truth to God’s people (1 Cor 2:10–16). He who knows the deep things of God, fills us with Himself, giving us the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16). He causes God’s chosen ones to grow in knowledge of God’s wisdom (2 Pet 3:18), who is Christ (1 Cor 1:24).
When the Spirit does His heart work from within (Ezek 36:26), He also transforms the mind (Rom 12:2). He gives the regenerate believer eyes to see the reality of life in this fallen world (Christian worldview). There is only one conclusion, “It is time for the Lord to act, for they have broken Thy Law (119:126).”
Helpless to change one’s own need of deliverance, the saint has no confidence in his own flesh to entice obedience from the world (Phil 3:3). Before he was oppressed by sin, now he is in danger from sinners, who loathe his new allegiance.
The Christian himself still falls short of obedience (Rom 7), but he now loves the Law of the Lord. He knows that the Law is spiritual, holy, right, and good. In contrast, the godless have no regard for the Law (Rom 3:10–12). Their ongoing rebellion against the great names of Yahweh and Jesus does inspire God’s holy nation to vigorous valuation, “Therefore, I love Thy commandments above gold, yes, above fine gold (119:127).” Belief, of course, does impact behavior. The Bible asks, “What is your treasure? and Where is your treasure?”
The Word of God is not ashamed to draw the comparison with that which is highly prized by the natural man (1 Jn 2:15–17). What men will do to secure gold for themselves is complemented by what they do to keep their gold secure. Jesus said, “You cannot love/serve God and money (Mt 6:24).”
God’s Word and way is right, and our conversion to Christ realigns our view of God, “Therefore, I esteem right all Thy precepts concerning everything; I hate every false way (119:128).” The stage of conflict between the righteous and the wicked oppressor is now understood with clarity. Hatred for God has been replaced with hatred for sin.
Christian, God has redeemed you and caused you to walk in His statutes (Ezek 36:27). He has imputed Christ’s righteousness to you (Phil 3:9). You have been shown mercy (Rom 9:15), and God has assured your future (Jer 29:11). You must not be ignorant of these matters. This is your life (Jn 5:24; 1 Jn 5:12).
The way of the world is the false way, and you must not love the world (1 Jn 2:15–17). If the world hates you, as a result of your exposing its evil (Eph 5:11), then remember it hated Jesus before you (Jn 15:18–19).
The battle belongs to the Lord (Prv 21:31), and so does your salvation (Ps 3:8; Jon 2:9; Rev 19:1); therefore, gain comfort, as you gain knowledge of Him, who is called, “the wisdom and the power of God.” Value Christ above all else and delight in His Law (Gal 6:2), revealed to you by His Spirit (1 Cor 2:10). This is the precious treasure of the unfathomable riches of Christ, who is more precious than gold.
David Norczyk
Missoula, Montana
August 4, 2022
