Short Thoughts

It is good for me that I have been afflicted;
that I might learn thy statutes.
~ Psalm 119:71

David is not found here fainting under the chastening hand of the Lord. We know that chastisement is not very pleasant. The writer of Hebrews says, “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous” (He 12:11). It is very tempting to complain or at least grudgingly submit. However, the Psalmist gratefully submits to God’s will. He goes so far as to say, “It is good.” He expresses complete confidence in God. He does not say that he hopes it will be good or maybe it will turn out all right. He says, “It is good.” Let us look to the scriptures and find food for our soul concerning our afflictions.

Psalm chapter 34 states in verse 19, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous.” Often we find that our afflictions are brought upon ourselves because of contrariness to the word and will of God. David admits as much when he says, “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word” (Ps 119:67). David has retraced his steps. He has searched his own heart and found it not perfect before God. God is justified in afflicting His servant, as always. David can see the good even though it is difficult to bear. Even in affliction, we should praise God and submit to His will. God does not afflict without a reason. He is not as a man, given to many different tempers and frames of mind. God does not act on a whim or in a fit. Whatever He has done, He has done well. David realizes this and gratefully submits to His sovereign will.

David sees that through chastisement and suffering he is brought to a better understanding. Solomon said, “The rod and reproof give wisdom.” One great design in affliction is that we will be made better. David says, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” Those afflictions might be chastisement and they might be ordained sufferings. Our Lord suffered, and it was not chastisement. Shall we escape the cup that our Lord had to drink? We are made better in suffering and to be chastised of the Lord is to be blessed. “Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law” (Ps 94:12). We should thank God that when we stray He corrects us in order to bring us back to Him.

We also see that chastisement is consistent with our desire. Paul said, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Ph 3:13-14). He said that he was not running uncertainly but in order to obtain. The great aim of our life should be to be conformed to the very image of Christ. If this is our desire, then the chastening of the Lord is consistent with it. God’s chastening hand will lead us back to the way whenever we have strayed from it. Therefore, we should welcome correction when it saves us from greater folly.

Christian, what is your state at this hour? Are you afflicted? Have you searched your heart? We must determine if our afflictions are for correction or suffering. Let us with David invite the Lord to “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Ps 139:23-24). Oh, to be made conformable to Christ and to be purged of everything contrary! May God grant us this blessing in Christ Jesus.

Open thou mine eyes,
that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
~ Psalm 119:18

Wondrous things are truly contained in the Word of God. Many men have seen the Book and not thought that anything so special was there. They have maybe seen some value for its antiquity or, perhaps, it is interesting for its literary diversity. But the Book is far too common to be of much worth in their estimation. However, the blessed man of God finds it his delight and the object of his meditation day and night. David declares, “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day” (Ps 119:97). It should be a mark of every child of God that they love His Word. They have esteemed it more than their necessary food. “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Ma 4:4). They would give up land and life before they would be willing to concede one precept. May we hold His Word in reverence and feed from it as we consider this blessed text.

Firstly, we see how that David approached the Word. He sought God that his eyes might be opened. Many have staggered at a precious truth just because it is not written in the exact language to suit their fancy or determined theological bent. They are much like the Pharisees of old, who stumbled at the words of Jesus and growing frustrated declared, “How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly” (Jo 10:24). But the Psalmist is more akin to the spirit expressed in Job 34:32 that says “That which I see not teach thou me.” The problem is not with God’s Word. There is no veil on the Book. The veil is on men’s hearts. We shall never see the things of God with carnal eyes. God must open our eyes. “The flesh profiteth nothing.”

David realized that without God’s help he could not see the great things in His Word. This is a meek and teachable spirit. David was not trying to conform the Word to his notions, but rather seeking Divine light that he might be changed to agree with the Word. “I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight” (Ps 119:32-35).

Secondly, we see that David desired the wondrous things in the Word. He was not seeking “to hear some new thing.” He did not want new or added revelation. He wished that his eyes would be opened to behold the wondrous things that have already been given. There is an abundance of treasure in God’s Book that has never been exhausted. This is not the prayer of one that is satisfied with his current level of perception. He desires to go deeper and deeper into the Word. This is the desire of a serious student. He is not searching for novelty or entertainment but the “unsearchable riches of Christ.” He is not content to only drink milk. He desires the strong meat. Why would one want to “eat of the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table” when there is a “feast of fat things, a feast of wine on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wine on the lees well refined” in the Word of God?

Let us never be content to pamper our appetites by feeding on the garnishes, but let us at once begin to seek the meat and digest the hearty portions as well. Christian have you tarried long at the first principles? I know that they are sweet and dainty. Yes, they are fit for a king. But Christ said, “They that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.” They are in no condition for hard labor. Such dainty food will provide no sustenance for a laboring man. When Elijah arose and ate, he “went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights.” No loving mother and father would feed their children only candy. Their bodies need much more in order to grow. Our Christian lives are no different. If we only eat the sweet we are sure to be soured. God has given great things in His word. May he give us eyes to see, ears to hear, lips to speak, feet to walk, and hands to do His blessed will. Amen.

This poor man cried,
and the LORD heard him,
and saved him out of all his troubles.
~ Psalm 34:6

Our text is one that all can identify with. If you have been on the way for very long at all, you have prayed the poor man’s prayer. David was driven out by his enemies and had not a friend in the world. His head had been anointed. His ascent to the throne was imminent. He was the royal stock. It had been said that he was a man after God’s own heart. Yet, he is reduced to play the poor man. He was destitute and afflicted. His life was on the line and he cried out to God. Let us note some things concerning this rough petition.

Firstly, a poor man has poor ways. Though David was to become king, he had nothing here to help himself. He was much like the woman in the Gospels who had come to an end of herself. Her physical condition was wretched. She had come to poverty visiting the doctors and was only worse for all her trouble. She had no hope. But, if only she could touch the hem of Jesus’ garment, she would be made whole. She had no other options. It was a plea of faith but also desperation. It is when we are brought to the place that we have nothing to help ourselves, we will cast our cares on Christ. In this condition we will pray as at no other time.

The poor man offers a poor prayer. This prayer is poor of words. Gone are wordy lines. There is no lavish speech with its grand phrases. We may lisp and stammer. If one were to overhear, surely such rough speech would jar their ears. They would probably judge it unworthy of an audience in the throne room of God. It is altogether unfit for God or man. I believe that even at our best, our prayers are poor. “For we know not what we should pray for as we ought.” The case almost seems hopeless.

Ah, but notice this prayer is called a “cry”, and rightly so. This prayer may be poor of fine words and elocution, but it is rich with earnestness. This fervent petition is not cumbered with many ornaments, which allows for much more haste. When we have prayed in this manner, helpless, scared, not knowing what to do, we have found that terrible throne to be a throne of grace. The gates of heaven have swung open and granted access when at other times they have seemed to us closed fast. We feel as if we were one with Jacob, of whom the scriptures say, “And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed” (Ge 32:28).

Secondly, this poor prayer is heard and answered. Though stripped of pleasantries with all pretenses removed, this effectual fervent prayer has availed much. Often in our weakest condition have we found God the closest to us. Truly, “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.” Our prayers have been heard most graciously when they have risen as the impulse of a broken heart. Our desperate circumstance has not hindered, but has helped our pleas. Thanks be to God that has heard and delivered.

Christian, what is your plight at this hour? Are you burdened, heavy-laden, or overwhelmed? Then go without delay. Fly to the throne grace. There you may find help in the time of need. Don’t bother with forming proper words and sentences. Rely on the Spirit. He helps our infirmities by making intercessions for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. Depend upon your Father to understand. “He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer” (Ps 102:17). Though we are poor and needy, He thinks of us. Praise be to His most Holy Name!