A desire does not mean that one has the ability to do that which will fulfill it. One with a malignant tumor will want it removed; but he surely cannot do that himself. So the child of God, because of his new spiritual life, will want to be freed from Satan's power and to be able to keep God's law perfectly, and will say to the world, "Depart from me ye evil doers: for I will keep the commandments of my God."(Psalm 119:115) But because he cannot make them depart, he prays to God: "Uphold me according to Thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold Thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto Thy statutes continually." Psalm 119:116, 117.
What we say then to the world, and to Satan the Prince of this world, must be in perfect harmony with our prayer to God. If we really want to walk in love to God, we must tell the world to depart from us. We cannot have fellowship with God and those who hate God.
Join the world in its carnal entertainment and glorification of sin, and you do not mean it when you pray, "Let me not be ashamed of my hope." In Romans 1:32 Paul exposes the evil of having pleasure in them that have pleasure in sin.
And the psalmist reveals a very important truth here. We must realize our complete dependency upon God for a righteous walk. Think that you can do that alone, and you do not really want to walk in love to God. And you do not really see how much Satan has you in his power.
No, the child of God prays that God will hold him up. He sings, and in his song he prays:
According to Thy gracious word
Uphold me, Lord, deliver me;
O do not let me be ashamed
Of patient hope and trust in Thee;
O hold Thou me, and I shall stand
And ever follow Thy command.
We are safe because we are upheld according to God's word. And that word assures us that we are safe in the arms of Jesus, Who blotted out our sins and now has all power in heaven and on earth to bring forth presently, and now keep, a perfect church to God's glory.
Read: Psalm 118
Psalter versification: 335:2
(Words and Music of the Psalter)
Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
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Song for Meditation: Psalter number 51
Why not sing along??
Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Jeremiah 1 ; Jeremiah 2:1-30
Philippians 4:1-23
Psalm 75:1-10
Proverbs 24:17-20
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Quote for Reflection:
"If we do not prefer the Church to all other objects of our solicitude, we are unworthy of being accounted among her members." -- John Calvin
