21 Days of Prayer in Psalm 119 (Day # 19)

Read Psalm 119:145-152

    “Near”

In today’s stanza, Qoph, the psalmist is once again crying out for help to the Lord, literally day and night (145-148). Last week in church I introduced the congregation to the seven historical hours of pray that were kept by monks and nuns in response to v. 164 as well as these verses today. But the concept that I wanted to focus on today was the word “near” from verses 150-151.

 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;

  they are far from your law.

But you are near, O Lord,

                 and all your commandments are true.

Near is used in two senses. The enemy, in 150, draws near (qarab) in the sense of approaching to do harm—like a predator creeping closer to its prey before beginning the final chase. It also was used in a military sense for “closing in battle.” I am encouraged that the psalmist is not blissfully ignorant of what is going on around him. He has had his opened physically, mentally, ethically, and spiritually through his constant meditation on the law of God. Hence, he sees the enemy coming. “Yep, I saw that…”

This approach of danger did not discourage the psalmist for the Lord was already near (qarowb) not only in proximity but in relationship. In this usage, a synonym might be gō’ēl which might sound familiar since it is the word behind the “kinsman redeemer” or the nearest responsible blood relative that could redeem a person from bondage. No matter who draws near to attack us, the Lord is even nearer to defend us.

Heavenly Father, you are a God who does not stand afar off but have come near to us in Christ by the Spirit, even to indwell us your people. Thank you for being nearer than anyone else, for your words are true completely. You keep your promises, and you care for your people. O Lord, you know the attacks your people face, worse in some places than in others. You know and understand. However, we often don’t understand the way that you work—counter-intuitively, humbly, inclusively—but we ask you to be near in these days as we will all need it. We ask that what the enemy seeks to tear down you would build up even stronger, where flames of hate and violence are fanned may you douse them in a river of your love. Lord, we look to you for our peace, our preservation, and our productive labor upon this planet. We ask that you embolden and empower us to faithfully do business in your name—despite opposition—until you return! 

21 Days of Prayer in Psalm 119 (Day #17)

Read Psalm 119:129-136

     “Shine”

The things that God has said are so wonderful that once we have heard them we treasure them and hold them close (129)! Those whose hearts are hard like a well-worn path do not take time to listen to understand much less allow the word into their hearts. Jesus said such words are like seeds snatched away by hungry birds (Matt. 13:4,19; Luke 8:12).

I could have chosen “wonderful,” “keep,” or even “turn” as my focus word today. However, I settled on “shine” because of verses 130 and 135,

The unfolding of your words gives light;
    it imparts understanding to the simple…

Make your face shine upon your servant,
    and teach me your statutes.

The idea of the “unfolding” of his words intrigues me. It captures the idea of the process of how God chose to reveal his word. As Josh McDowell and others have noted, the Bible is unique. It didn’t happen all at once but over 1500 to 2000 years, was written by around 40 different authors (inspired by the Holy Spirit), in different places, vastly different times and circumstances, expressing different moods and emotions, on three continents, in three or four languages, covering hundreds of controversial subjects, and consisting of a number of different literary styles. Yet there is a wonderfully consistent quality to it. It is like one epic tapestry, where each narrative, command, letter, or psalm is woven together to reveal the heart and plans of God revealed in history.

Eugene Peterson’s vivid paraphrase (The Message) has “Break open your words, let the light shine out” But while I like its vividness, it seems to lose some of the richness of the idea of “unfolding,” Theologians refer to this unfolding of God’s plan and purpose throughout the Bible as “progressive revelation.” Jacob did not have the revelation of Moses, David, or Isaiah, etc. In the last book of the Bible, we see Jesus as the “lamb that was slain” who takes the scroll sealed with seven seals and opens them one seal at a time as God’s plan for the end times was revealed (Rev. 5-6).

It is in our taking time to be available to the word of God that the Spirit unfolds it for us in a way that “imparts understanding!” But this time spent is not merely with a message, or an important mission, as though the word was a thing. Rather there is a remarkably relational statement here as the psalmist uses verse 135 as a parallel, but instead of using one of the more direct synonyms for the word of God (e.g., word, law, rules, testimonies, etc.) he uses the term “your face.” Do we see the face of God in the scriptures? We should.  

Moses's face glowed after spending time in the Lord's presence. Jesus' face while praying, at the transfiguration, was "altered, and his clothing became dazzling white." (Luke 9:28-29). It is in spending time in the presence of the Lord that something of his radiant glorious love is communicated to us so that we not only learn his statutes but we shine a bit too.

O Lord, we live in a dark world made all the darker by our persistent self-focus. I as that as we spend time reading, thinking, and praying your words that such darkness may be banished from our hearts by the light of your great love! I pray that your love would shine through us, especially this week in our divided nation. Lord, when others our quaking in fear, or frantic in their pursuits may your words make us steady (v. 133) and dependable. May our hearts be broken with what breaks your heart (v.136) but keep us from the exhaustion of discouragement by the strength of your joy! Your word is wonderful because it reveals your steadfast and beautiful love for us! Wow!