Ps 119:121-128 Ayin
121 I have done what is righteous and just; do not leave me to my oppressors. 122 Ensure your servant's well-being; let not the arrogant oppress me. 123 My eyes fail, looking for your salvation, looking for your righteous promise. 124 Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees. 125 I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes. 126 It is time for you to act, O LORD; your law is being broken. 127 Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold, 128 and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path.

Have you ever heard a politician say that he or she is running for office because they love this country and want to contribute to the good of the country? When we hear this, we begin to think that person is saying this to gain votes but they really are running for the power to be obtained, the popularity to be enjoyed or the money to be made. While this may be true or they may actually have more noble motives, this illustrates how many think in our society. The common perception is that noble motives in life are either rare or non-existent.

In this portion of the Psalm we read nothing of one’s personal rights. This section is about the name of God being defamed and the crowd ignoring his will. The Psalmist is concerned about what is right for the nation and even his enemies. He is not concerned about his personal wellbeing. While he mentions his personal mistreatments, this is not the real concern being addressed.

We need to concern ourselves with honoring the name of our God and holding up his word as supreme. He is God and he alone is God. Perhaps we could learn a lesson in this area from the Muslims who consider it a privilege to die for the honor of Allah or for the honor of the Koran.

This attitude must start with a genuine belief that God is God. It is rooted in the belief that God created the world and all that is in it. It is paramount to believe that God loves us so much that he gave his Son to die for our sin so that we will have the opportunity to live with him in eternity. Jesus is God but he lowered himself to become one of us so we can be like him and be with him.

O Lord, I thank you for your infinite wisdom, for your creation and the beauty of it. I thank you for your love shown to me in giving your Son to die in my place. I thank you for your mercy and your grace that allows me to be forgiven for the many things I have done against you. Fill me with your Spirit so I will be loving, merciful, gracious and forgiving toward those around me. Give comfort to those who are hurting, peace to those who are struggling and healing to those who are sick. Use me in your will. I pray in the name of Jesus my Redeemer. Robert