Soaking in the Word, while Suffering in the World
As governments flex their military power against other countries, the reality for the oppressed people is the threat to their religious freedom, “Princes persecute me without cause (Psalm 119:161a).” It has always been this way for God’s people, who are the fairest citizens of any country. Their godliness with contentment is great gain for themselves and for their respective nations (1 Tim 6:6).
The longer a Christian lives and the more he studies his Bible, the more resigned he is, “But my heart stands in awe of Thy Word (Ps 119:161b).” In the Scriptures, we learn of God and His Christ, but we also learn of humanity (Gen 6:5; Rom 3:10–12; Eph 2:1–3). There are sinful reasons why the rich and powerful oppress and persecute others, especially Christians (Mt 5:10–12). Their deeds are evil (Jn 3:19); and Christian light, in the world, threatens to expose the wickedness of the godless (Eph 5:11).
The Christian has been delivered from slavery in the game of survival of the fittest. There is no delight in competing with one’s neighbor for riches and glory (Eccl 4:4). The believer knows his God will provide (Yahweh-jireh) all things for life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3). The affections of the heart have turned, and the meditations of the mind have found a new occupation, “I rejoice at Thy Word, as one who finds great spoil (119:162a).” What is better than a mega lottery win? It is the treasure trove of truth in the Bible.
The world is a bastion of lies, dominated by the father of lies (Jn 8:44), who is ascribed the title “god of this world” (2 Cor 4:4), for his wily schemes. The born again see his destruction and declare, “I hate and despise falsehood, but I love Thy Law (119:162b).” God’s Law, His Word, is truth (Ps 119:160; Jn 17:17). Truth is a liberator and the better way (Jn 8:32; 14:6).
Truth compels us to worship Him, who is true (Rom 3:4), “Seven times a day I praise Thee, because of Thy righteous ordinances (119:164).” What is heaven, but a place where righteousness dwells (2 Pet 3:13). On earth, righteousness has an external expression, in the Law of the Lord. It powerfully manifests in God’s people, by the Spirit (Ezek 36:27), who justifies the ungodly, by His grace (Rom 4:5). Heaven has perfection in these matters. There is no corruption, nor threat of sin in that place (Rev 21–22).
Men want peace, but they love drama. They create evil to fill the void (Jn 3:19). This is in accord with their sin nature (Eph 2:3). Men strive with others in the quest for supremacy. They have been enticed to believe they, too, can be gods (Gen 3:5). In this, men are deceived.
There is another way, “Those who love Thy Law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble (119:165).” Christ is the way (Jn 14:6), and He is the Light of the world (Jn 8:12). Men who follow Him have eyes to see the straight and narrow way (Mt 7:13–14; Jn 9). He Himself is our peace (Eph 2:14). Despite the trouble in the world (Jn 16:33), the saint has peace that passes all understanding (Phil 4:7) because he or she is at peace with the sovereign God (Rom 5:1).
What the believer understands is revelation from God. Only One has the title “faithful and true” (Rev 3:14; 19:11). In Him, do we trust, “I hope for Thy salvation, O Lord, and do Thy commandments (119:166).” The grace of deliverance inspires obedience, which is also brought forth by grace. God is at work in the beloved, willing and doing His good pleasure (Phil 2:13).
The natural man does not understand (1 Cor 2:14). He has not received the Spirit of the Son of God (Jn 1:12–13; 3:36; 14:17; Rom 8:9; 1 Jn 5:12), so as to be saved from this wicked generation. His soul lacks the life of the Spirit (Ezek 37:14; Jn 6:63), from whom he derives no gifts (Rom 12; 1 Cor 12; Eph 4), nor is there any manifestation of spiritual fruit (Gal 5:22–23).
“My soul keeps Thy testimonies, and I love them exceedingly (119:167),” is the witness of the regenerate (Jn 3:1–8; Eph 2:5; Col 2:13; 1 Pet 1:3), who God causes to walk in His statutes (Ezek 36:27). For this reason, the obedient child of God desires to echo Christ, “I keep all Thy precepts and Thy testimonies, for all My ways are before Thee (119:168).”
Who is perfect in these statements, but Jesus Christ, the righteous One. No one was despised and rejected like He was (Is 53:3), and yet, He alone knows and values God and His eternal decrees. We, who are in Christ, are privy to the blessings of His position before God the Father (Eph 1:3; 2:6).
Christian, your life is hidden in Christ (Col 3:3), but you are living in the world (Gal 2:20), in the appointed time and circumstances ordained for you (Acts 13:48). God has set His love upon you (Dt 7:7; Jer 31:3), in accordance with His predetermined plan to save you (Acts 2:23; Eph 1:4–5; Heb 5:9). He has poured out His love in your heart (Rom 5:5), so that you would love in the manner of Christ (Lk 10:27; 1 Jn 4:19).
Following in His steps (1 Pet 2:21), walking by the Spirit (Gal 5:16, 25), you are experiencing life in this world as Christ did (Col 1:24; Jas 1:2–4). God has given you His words to meditate on (Ps 1:1–2; 119), as you pray and as you praise Him. For all the saints know…He alone is worthy (Rev 4:11; 5:9).
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
August 19, 2022
