righteous

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

What comes to mind is that often we need to go through a circumstance knowing that God’s promises are true and He will protect us. God always remains faithful to His character of perfect righteousness, and we can count on His guidance even in our most difficult times.

The eighteenth division of Psalm 119, beginning with verse 137 has been dealing with the perfect righteousness of God and His word. Even in the worst difficulties, we can have confidence in God’s faithfulness. The last two verses contained in this section continue on with the steadfast soul of David clinging to what he knows is true and seeking to find his preservation in God’s testimonies.

Ps 119:143-144 Trouble and anguish have come upon me; [Yet] Thy commandments are my delight. 144 Thy testimonies are righteous forever; Give me understanding that I may live.

You’ve heard the saying “caught between a rock and a hard place”. This is an idiom that basically means you are facing two equally unpleasant, dangerous, or risky alternatives, where the avoidance of one ensures encountering the harm of the other (idioms, thefreedictionary). Wiktionary explains this saying as “having the choice between two unpleasant or distasteful options; in a predicament or quandary”.

When our Psalmist speaks of trouble, this is the picture he is painting for us. The Hebrew word is tsar meaning narrow, a tight place, an opponent, adversary, affliction, or distress. Isn’t it true that sometimes we may feel there is no place to turn that will accommodate a pleasant outcome? What comes to mind is that often we need to go through a circumstance knowing that God’s promises are true and He will protect us. God always remains faithful to His character of perfect righteousness, and we can count on His guidance even in our most difficult times. David gives us an additional word for his plight: anguish. When I looked this word up in Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary, I read a similar definition that was given for ‘trouble’ above: a narrow place, confinement. The idea of being disabled by anguish or distress in his trouble is added. I think we are given insight into how pained our Psalmist is in his circumstances. The KJV says, ‘trouble and anguish have taken hold on me’. These are strong words and feelings that describe his suffering.

How do you react when adversity hits you like a ton of bricks, threatening to crush you? What are your options? In what ways are you tempted to react? What is our example?

Ps 119:143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me; [Yet] Thy commandments are my delight.

Incredible! Even in David’s suffering, we see his resolve to claim God’s righteousness and find joy in His truths! God’s commands are the Psalmist’s delight. He finds pleasure in them. If we back up a bit in this same Psalm, we read a similar verse.

Ps 119:77 May Thy compassion come to me that I may live, for Thy law is my delight.

We go through various trials, either from those trying to derail us or from our own foolish or sinful choices. Regardless, we will be tried. Sometimes, our troubles may not even be noticeable to others, they may come from within. We can be distracted in our soul. Do we cling to God’s truths and find delight in His commands in every circumstance? What specific truths can we hold onto that cause us to find joy?

The Gospel. Lu 2:10-11 And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
God called you. Jer 15:16 Thy words were found and I ate them, and Thy words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts.
God is faithful, even when we are not. 2Ti 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself.
God knows all things and sees all things correctly. Psalm 139:1-5
We can trust in His promises. Pr 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

We could go on and on with the above list. As we look upon the truths in God’s word, no matter what troubles we are experiencing, we can find delight. There is repetition of David constantly being drawn to focus on God even in the midst of difficult circumstances. I love the reminder we see in this repetition – We have a need to continuously look to God and His truths and promises even when things seem to overwhelm us. All throughout Psalm 119, the importance of clinging to God’s faithfulness and righteousness is proclaimed.

Ps 119:14 I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, As much as in all riches.

Ps 119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy law is truth.

Read what Matthew Henry’s Commentary says, “All this trouble and anguish did not put his mouth out of taste for the comforts of the word of God, but he could still relish them and find that peace and pleasure in them which all the calamities of this present time could not deprive him of. There are delights, variety of delights, in the word of God, which the saints have often the sweetest enjoyment of when they are in trouble and anguish”.

2Co 1:5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

What do we find ourselves thinking about – the riches we have in Christ or our worldly problems? Are we meditating on the word of God and His eternal promise to us?

It is not easy to avoid the vices that cause us to lose hope in this world, yet, hope placed in God is never lost, instead it is certain, absolute. When we feel as if there is no hope, our thinking needs to change. How can our thoughts be redirected? We’ve been given the answer in the next verse of this section in Psalm 119.

Ps 119:144 Thy testimonies are righteous forever; Give me understanding that I may live.

Here is our request to God – “give me understanding that I may live”. God is the one who gives us the mindset to focus on His truths. God is the one who gives us understanding of His promises. God restores our hope, He preserves and protects us, He is our salvation.

We can pray to God for more understanding, more peace, more hope, more strength and anything and everything else needed to continue to live according to His commands, with a heart of joy. We have a promise that we will live forever in heaven! In the meantime, we can count on God’s grace for comfort as we go through trials.

We can spend more time in God’s word for more understanding. What better thing is there to do when you are discouraged or feel like giving up than to go to the source of eternal joy?

Consider. What does forever mean? The Hebrew word owlam means the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind, eternity, everlasting. The word forever in our English language is used in a blasé manner for many things. We use phrases like, “I will love you forever or this or that forever” but what we really mean is, “until a better substitute is found”. We are a finicky people and have good intentions much of the time, but often, we are unable to follow through. God’s forever is vastly different. When we read that His word is righteous forever there is no underlying possibility of change. Therein is our hope. Therein is our joy. God’s children have a promise of life eternal. It is certain and affords us the ability to continue on through any difficult circumstance with a heart centered on Truth.

What is the alternative to having certain hope? Death. Life without God leads to death, eternal separation from Him and all that is true. We are either saved by God’s grace or condemned by our sin.

Review the eighteenth section of Psalm 119.

God is righteous (Ps 119:137); God’s judgments are righteous (Ps 119:138); God’s word is righteous and leads us to a zeal that pines for those who do not follow Him (Ps 119:139); God’s word is pure and leads us to a love for it (Ps 119:140); Even when we feel small and despised, we are upheld by God’s word (Ps 119:141); God’s righteousness is everlasting and true (Ps 119:142); and we can take delight in God’s word no matter the trouble that surrounds us (Ps 119:143).

The above is true joy, joy that is only found in Him, joy that understands that without the precious gift of Jesus Christ, my sin will lead to the certainty of death and separation from God rather than eternal life. The Psalmist understood this. Do you? The Psalmist embraced these truths. Do you?

Patrick/Lowth/Whitby/Lowman Commentary makes this statement, “all the declarations Thou hast made of Thy will to us are so just and true that they will never fail our expectation: O give me wisdom to order my life according to them! And then it shall not be in the power of my enemies to make me miserable”.

Ps 119:34 Give me understanding, that I may observe Thy law, and keep it with all [my] heart.

Ps 119:66 Teach me good discernment and knowledge, for I believe in Thy commandments.

2Co 4:6 For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

1Jo 5:20-21 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding, in order that we might know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

Joh 17:3 "And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.

Isa 43:11 "I, even I, am the LORD; and there is no savior besides Me.

“God's testimonies to man cannot be assailed, they are righteous from beginning to end; and though ungodly men have opposed the divine justice, especially in the plan of salvation, they have always failed to establish any charge against the Most High. Long as the earth shall stand, long as there shall be a single intelligent creature in the universe, it will be confessed that God's plans of mercy are in all respects marvellous proofs of his love of justice: even that he may be gracious Jehovah will not be unjust.” Treasury of David

Join with me in praying all the more for understanding of God’s word, for increased love for His truths, that by it we can live in the joy of God’s promises through all circumstances. “Give me understanding that I may live” – this is the gospel. Grasp it, Claim it, Trust in it, and Share it.

Unwavering and Upright

Because God’s judgments are straight, there is no deviation to His execution of right and wrong. He is not only perfectly righteous, God is also faithful in His righteousness.

Psalm 119:137 Part Two

Ps 119:137 Righteous art Thou, O LORD, and upright are Thy judgments.

In the first half of this verse we looked at the righteousness of God. He is morally pure. His character is guiltless in all areas. He is the essence of perfection. Because of God’s absolute holiness, peace amidst circumstances that seem unfair will resonate in your soul. Your heart will remain calm with the knowledge that God is righteous.

Psalm 119:137 also says God’s judgments are upright. Literally meaning they are straight. You’ve heard the idiom “on the straight and narrow path”. It means you’re following an honest way. According to the Cambridge Dictionary it may be taken from Matthew 7:14 which says, "For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.” Because God’s judgments are straight, there is no deviation to His execution of right and wrong. He is not only perfectly righteous, God is also faithful in His righteousness. Hence, all His judgments are right. Again, we see God always acting within His character, without exception.

De 32:4 "The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.

Ps 119:137 (RSV) Righteous art thou, O LORD, and right are thy judgments.

Adam Clarke’s Commentary says this of Ps 119:137: all thy dispensations to men [are upright].

Ver. 137. -- David's great care, when he was under the afflicting hand of God, was to clear the Lord of injustice. ‘Oh! Lord, saith he, there is not the least show, spot, stain, blemish, or mixture of injustice, in all the afflictions thou hast brought upon me. I desire to take shame to myself, and to set to my seal, that the Lord is righteous, and that there is no injustice, no cruelty, nor no extremity in all that the Lord hath brought upon me.’ He sweetly and readily subscribes unto the righteousness of God in those sharp and smart afflictions that God exercised him with. "Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments." God's judgments are always just; he never afflicts but in faithfulness. His will is the rule of justice; and therefore a gracious soul dares not cavil nor question his proceedings. --Thomas Brooks.

cavil: quibble or raise trivial questions

Think again about our litmus test. God’s word. His absolute righteousness. His perfect judgment. As God’s children, convinced of His purity, we have examples to follow.

We are to show an example of righteousness towards others,

We are to be faithful to living out God’s commands,

We are to be obedient to act in a manner that represents His true character, and

We are to trust in all His ways.

“The righteousness of God, the infinite rectitude and perfection of his nature. As he is what he is, so he is what he should be, and in everything acts as becomes him; there is nothing wanting, nothing amiss, in God; his will is the eternal rule of equity, and he is righteous, for he does all according to it.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible

The truths we’ve considered in Psalm 119:137

Lead us to conviction of our own sin because God is always right.
Lead us to obedience. Why would we not follow what we know is right?
Lead us to trust in His ways and His timing because God’s plans are perfect even if I can’t see or understand them.
Lead us to adoration of God because He is 100% right in all His ways. How could we not worship Him?
Lead us to look to His promises with faith that He will return and restore His kingdom because He says so, therefore it’s true!
Lead us to focus on the hope we have for our future because in Christ it is certain, it is glorious, it is what we look forward to, and it is why we have been created.

Apply these truths to your life and circumstances right now. How are you encouraged to think or act differently because of these truths?

For example, look at the first bullet point again. It says, the truths we’ve considered lead us to conviction of our own sin because God is always right.

Consider. Standing before a righteous God, understanding more completely what that means, causes my sin to be more evident. It is so easy to ignore or accept what we might regard as the ‘small’ errors in our lives. It is always less difficult to look at the sin of others around me and to look at what they should or should not be doing or saying. I may even assume to know their motives and then judge them on my [usually wrong] thinking. However, if I place myself at the feet of the One who is Holiness Himself, I am quickly stripped of my own delusion about who I am and forced to remember the incredible need I have for a Savior. In fact, thinking upon God’s perfect righteousness and judgment, causes a certain holy fear of Him that leads to a want of obedience. I am God’s child but I am not free from the presence or temptation of sin. Because God must act according to His character, I can expect my sin to be dealt with. I can count on suffering the consequences of sin. Remember what Psalm 119:137 says: Righteous art Thou, O LORD, and upright are Thy judgments. When I begin to fully realize Jesus’ voluntary, suffering death for me, I am caused to recognize the necessity of my complete obedience to Him and thus address the sin that continues to reside in my heart.

Spurgeon, in his Treasury of David, gives us these beautifully written words. “The sinful courses of God's children occasion bitterness enough; they never venture upon sin, but with great Joss. [Joss: a graven image or idol. Perhaps referring to how easy it is for someone or something to become our motivation rather than God] If Paul give way to a little pride, God will humble him. If any give way to sin, their pilgrimage will be made uncomfortable. Eli falls into negligence and indulgence, then is the ark of God taken, his two sons are slain in battle, his daughter-in-law dies, he himself breaks his neck. Oh! The wonderful tragedies that sin works in the houses of the children of God! David, when he intermeddled with forbidden fruit, was driven from his palace, his concubines defiled, his own son slain; a great many calamities did light upon him. Therefore the children of God have cause to fear; for the Lord is a just God, and they will find it so. Here upon earth he hath reserved liberty to visit their iniquity with rods, and their transgression with scourges. I must press you to imitate God's righteousness: "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him".

Mt 5:48 "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Ro 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Jas 1:4 And let endurance have [its] perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

There is a standard set for us on this earth. Just because we know we cannot attain perfection here amongst a sinful world, does not take away the responsibility we have to continue to reach for it.

Complacency over even the smallest sin should drive us to concern and lead us to immediate action. We give up because the fight is hard and it is continuous. I’ve said and thought the words, “When I get to heaven, then I won’t struggle with _____________” (fill in the blank). While this is absolutely true, and a really comforting thought, I am in no way excused for the sin in my life while on this earth. It is a big deal! Jesus died for me. I cannot take that truth lightly. We need to continuously be reaching for the goal.

Read this verse most of us are probably familiar with.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

God’s word is living and active! It does change lives! We can be victorious over the temptation of sin. I love the illustration presented in Jeremiah about God’s word.

Jer 23:29 "Is not My word like fire?" declares the LORD, "and like a hammer which shatters a rock?

The picture that comes to mind is one of seeking gold deeply imbedded in quartz. My husband and I have purposefully collected both large and small pieces of rock. Then, either out in the field or at home, we begin the process of smashing these pieces of quartz with a strong hammer to get to the tiny bits of gold scattered throughout. This is what God’s word does. It shatters sin. It refines us just like fire, melting away that which is not good and exposing what is beautiful.

Consider again how God would have you personally apply the truths in Psalm 119:137: Righteous art Thou, O LORD, and upright are Thy judgments. Ask yourself this question. I’ve shared some of my heart in hopes that you will be encouraged to do your own soul searching.

- My life in general is affected because I am much more apt to look at my own responsibility toward sin. There is so much work to be done in myself, that I don’t really have the time nor should I take the time to be concerned for what others are doing or not doing. This is a weight lifted off my shoulders! Remembering it is God’s work is refreshing!

- My personal circumstances are affected because my focus remains on God and His righteousness. The circumstances in my life are exactly what He is allowing in order to cause me to become the child He has designed me to be. This truth affords Peace! In all things. I can move through whatever God has given me, knowing it is in His perfect plan.

My actions are affected when God’s truths are applied to my life.

- Concentrating on the areas of my own life that need attention certainly reminds me to be gracious and patient towards those around me as I am reminded we all have the same need of God’s saving grace. Thinking upon what He has done for me even while I don’t deserve any of it is humbling. This is good! A heart of humility is soft and moldable.

- When my thoughts are centered on Christ and my heart is teachable and flooded with Who He is and What He has done for me, I cannot help but radiate His love in all things. I am drawn towards seeing the hope even in what seems truly difficult. I look forward to the promise that I can trust that God is working. This produces joy in my heart even amidst hardship or uncertainty or sorrow.

- I don’t have to understand everything! I am not expected, nor am I able, to have an answer for everything! This is a great revelation and one that truly lifts a burden I can place on myself. Because God is always right, I can look at what He says, accept what He is doing, and not forfeit my time and energy to that which is not my responsibility. Each day is a gift given to me by Him that is filled with exciting possibility for honoring Him as my Father. How much fun is that?! I don’t have to live in discouragement because of my sin, it has been covered! I don’t have to be worried or anxious for circumstances now or in the future, He has it covered! I can glory in the true fact that God is righteous in all things. And He has called me His child!

- Lastly, but perhaps most important, I truly fear sin. I don’t want to be caught up in sin. I am cautious to not allow sin to be harbored in my heart. I take measure against being fooled by sin’s craftiness. This causes me to desire to engulf myself in Truth. I need God’s word to direct me because I am weak.

God is righteous in His very character which means all judgment from Him is absolutely equitable. And He is always faithful to execute His judgment.

“Jehovah both saith and doth that which is right, and that alone. This is a great stay to the soul in time of trouble. When we are most sorely afflicted, and cannot see the reason for the dispensation, we may fall back upon this most sure and certain fact, that God is righteous, and his dealings with us are righteous too. It should be our glory to sing this brave confession when all things around us appear to suggest the contrary. This is the richest adoration -- this which rises from the lips of faith when carnal reason mutters about undue severity, and the like.” Treasury of David

Please. Listen with your ears and your heart to the truths God is showing you through His word. Take the time to God’s truths to your life. The Bible is not just a book to read and feel good about. God’s word is not meant to be an intellectual exercise. It is a book that is living and it will change you through the work of the Holy Spirit. Dig in and watch the transformation as God guides you into a deeper relationship with Him. After all, He loves you enough to have sent Jesus.

1Jo 2:29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him.

Joh 17:3 "And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.

Tag: righteous

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Unwavering and Upright

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