Short Thoughts

“But it is good for me to draw near to God:
I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
that I may declare all thy works.”
~ Psalm 73:28

In Psalm 73, Asaph gives an account of the sore temptation that had taken him–temptation had led him into despondency where he traversed a dark and slippery path. He wrote, “But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped” (Psalm 73:2). Chiefly it was his carnal views of the wicked that led him down the dreaded road. Thankfully, he was not left in this condition. His understanding did return and he was restored to a proper knowledge of the events that had greatly distressed him.

Proper knowledge led to humble repentance, “Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins” (Psalm 73:21). He acknowledged his ignorance in verse 22 declaring, “So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.” His conclusion is consistent with the scriptures, in that it is always foolish to stray from God. However, it is infinitely more foolish to stay from God. “For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee” (Psalm 73:27).

The end of the wicked is destruction. They are far off “having no hope, and without God in the world.” He realizes the blessedness of his standing regardless of troubles in the flesh and the promotion of the sinful in the world. He owns that it is to his own good and blessing to draw near to God. He praised God that he was not consumed in his errors but was led back into the way. His conclusion was that it was good, he was trusting in God, and he would declare all His works. Let us now investigate three things that are suggested in our text, namely, our approach to God, our salvation by God, and our working for God.

In the first place, we consider our approach to God. Asaph writes, “But it is good for me to draw near to God.” We know that approach to Him is necessary because of our inborn separation from Him. “The scripture hath concluded all under sin” (Galatians 3:22). Realizing our condition, we must come to God. Christ said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). We can only come to God through Christ. Christ also testified, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him” (John 6:44). We cannot come to Christ of our own working “it is the gift of God.” “So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy” (Romans 9:16). It is not of our own power or ability that we come to God. “Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts” (Psalm 65:4).

Truly then, Jesus is the “author and finisher of our faith.” Therefore, we are chosen by God unto salvation as says the scriptures, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (II Thessalonians 2:13-14).

In the second place, we consider our salvation by God. Asaph declares, “I have put my trust in the Lord God.” To put our trust in the Lord is to be saved for Paul told the Philippian jailer, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). Jesus also preached, “Repent ye, and believe the gospel.” There is no salvation apart from faith and that faith is the gift of God according to the scriptures, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is not earned by work on our part. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). We find that “it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). The Psalmist declared, “Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power,” (Psalm 110:3). So we conclude with Jonah, “Salvation is of the LORD.”

In the last place, let us think about our working for God. Asaph says, “that I may declare all thy works.” He does not place his works before his salvation but after and makes his salvation the grounds for and causes of his good works. In Psalm 40, it was after that David was brought up “out of an horrible pit” and his feet were set “upon a rock” that he “preached righteousness in the great congregation.”

The saved are to walk in holiness before the Lord. Following the progression rightly, we discern that salvation is unto good works as the scriptures proclaim, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). The vital union with Christ is the source of our fruits. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).

Therefore, we see how each builds upon the other and the latter is an evidence of the former seeing that the former is source of the latter. In other words, we are chosen by God unto salvation (II Thessalonians 2:13; Ephesians 1:4), we are saved by God through faith (Ephesians 2:8; Titus 3:5), and we are saved by God unto good works (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:14). Surely, it is good for us to “draw near to God.”

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.