Obeying In Trials
In which Brent learns how to find freedom in trials but persisting in loving obedience
The Pun
The Prayer
One of the things I love about the Psalms is that they express feelings about things I either don’t think to or don’t give myself permission to utter. Extreme exhibitions of anger, despair, and longing are the mainstays of these ancient poems. And sometimes, I encounter a moaning or jubilation in them about an issue I have never had any great affection or objection to. These reveal to me that there may be some way to grow.
In that vein, Psalm 119 was at one time a struggle for me to relate to. It is among the most joyful of the Psalms and yet the instigator of the celebration is rules. Statues. Laws. Testimonies. These words fail to stir up any innate elation within me. My natural man associates these terms with, at best, a restraint of evil and, at worst, a claustrophobic constraint from freedom. And this Psalmist seems to have contracted an extreme case of the happiest over such things!
But this is the law of God:
“For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14)
“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.” (James 2:8)
“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
“For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Romans 13:9)
His law is to love and to actively love is exhilarating. It is not constraining, but freeing:
“But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.” (James 1:25)
”… and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32)
”Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
Psalm 119 is divided into twenty-two segments, each containing eight verses. A verse from the eighth segment (Heth) stood out to me this week:
“Though the ropes of the wicked were wrapped around me, I did not forget your instruction.” Ps 119.61
One of the times I feel most enslaved and strangulated is when temptation presents itself in the midst of suffering. My instinct is to complain: “Is it not enough to be tested when I am at my best? Why try me at my worst?” Now I know it is promised:
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
But when enticement and trial converge, it is difficult to see a viable way to keep that tenuous balance on the narrow path. I want to scream with the Apostle Paul:
“For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing … Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:19, 24)
Although I know it to not be true, it feels as though there is no way out. But here is hope: this Psalmist has found a way! Even when wicked ropes choke and restrict, it is possible to remember and live in the freedom of God’s loving law. Stepping back to the beginning of this segment, the Psalmist explains the liberating state of being satisfied by the words of God’s mouth. There is instruction for preparing for the moment of temptation.
1. Fill Up On God
I once went to a Brazilian steakhouse. Before the steak is served, you can eat as much as you want from an array of quality cheeses, appetizers, and relishes. Then, when the steak comes, it is limitless. As long as you have room, they will continue to serve meats of all varieties. The trick is to not eat too much in advance to leave as much room as possible for the best. In the same way, when we satisfy ourselves on the goodness and graciousness of God’s love in advance, we will lose our hunger for lesser offerings when they are presented.
The Lord is my portion;
I promise to keep your words. (Psalm 119:57)
2. Care What God Thinks
We act to please. Sometimes it is to gain the favor of others. Other times it is to meet our own standards. Unfortunately, we have only a tiny amount of willpower to meet our own standards. Fortunately, when we decide that it is the Lord’s evaluation of our love that matters most, we set ourselves up to be blessed and backed by the promise of God’s working of all things for our good because we love Him. Truly, the desires of our hearts will be filled as we delight in His pleasure more than our own. In purity of heart, we will see God.
I entreat your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise. (Psalm 119:58)
3. Watch Your Step
In the words of Yogi Berra: “If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.” Without intentionality, we are unlikely to fall into loving obedience by chance. We do well to reflect on our past and plan our future in journals and day planners lit under the light of the law of love.
When I think on my ways,
I turn my feet to your testimonies; (Psalm 119:59)
4. Run
I have heard it said that slow obedience is no obedience. Jonah went to Ninevah and preached the gospel to the lost, resulting in mass revival. But few would hold him up as an example of compassion and submission. His instinct was to run from God and take the long path. His instinct was to obey the letter of God’s word but without the spirit of empathy behind it toward the lost souls of Assyria. We are free when we long to love and when we run toward the opportunity to pass on the mercies of God.
I hasten and do not delay
to keep your commandments. (Psalm 119:60)
5. Worship No Matter What
Picture Paul and Silas shredded, shackled, and imprisoned. They have every reason to be embittered at the injustices brought on them. Easily, they could have questioned the love of a God who allows such stinging pain to prick the nerves of His boldest defenders. And yet, they sing. At midnight, far from any prayer room or praise team, they transform the jailhouse foundations into holy ground as they are as overwhelmed as ever by the good grace of God. The walls shake and the doors open. The jailer, who likely was a source of their suffering, moves to take his own life. Then, the loving God who inhabits praises inhabited their hearts as well. In kindness, Paul led him to salvation, baptized him and his family, and ate a meal with his former oppressor. When we persistently live in the presence of a loving God, our love will persist through temptation and trial.
Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
I do not forget your law.
At midnight I rise to praise you,
because of your righteous rules. (Psalm 119:61-62)
When we discover how to live in the freeing love of God, we will begin to find deep, encouraging connections with others who are running the same race. Indeed, we will see that the love of God is by no means in short supply. It is all around us, every day, all things working for the good of those who love Him:
I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
teach me your statutes! (Psalm 119:63-64)
I pray you may walk in that freeing love today.