Psalm 119:75
I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Psalm 119:75
Last night was not my best night of sleep. It was not terrible, but I just found myself awake often. When this happens, I like to think about scripture as a disruption to my selfish desires to think about myself and my temporary worries.
I used the Beatitudes found in Matthew’s gospel, chapter 5, as my focus. I was unable to remember all the verses so when I got up this morning, I pulled out my Bible and wrote Matthew 5:2-12 in my journal. It helped me remember all that Jesus talked about in those verses: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted.”
These verses have a way of quieting my soul to what is important in life. When I am weary and feel overburdened, these truths ground me in the truth of the gospel. It is not about what I do or do not do, it is about being with God and pursuing the image of Jesus.
“I know, O Lord…” This opening phase solidifies that the psalmist knows God. This is not a “head knowing” but an intimate knowing. The Psalmist is saying that he understands who God is on multiple levels. It is an all encompassing knowing that is described here. (Romans 1:19-21)
“…that your rules are righteous,” The psalmist knows that the ways of God are good and lead to righteousness. The person who puts their faith in Jesus is given perfect righteousness. And through progressive sanctification, that person grows in righteousness over time (Hebrews 10:14).
“…and that in faithfulness…” The psalmist acknowledges that it is God’s faithfulness to His children that brings about righteousness. It is not something we do to become righteous. It is all God’s work in us through grace alone, by faith alone, in Christ alone. My testimony is “God is faithful” which has nothing to do with my faithfulness. (Ephesians 2:8)
“…you have afflicted me” And finally, as part of God’s plan for each of us, we are afflicted. God uses the pain and suffering of living in a fallen and broken world to draw us into more dependence on Him. If I were never afflicted, I would not need God. However, in my affliction I humbly draw near to my perfect Father as He draws near to me. It is in my weakness, I am called to boast. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
These truths can be hard to hear when trials and struggles surround me. But they are also words of comfort reminding me that I am not in charge or responsible for fixing my problems. God promises to never leave or forsake His children. That is why Jesus came.
Jesus came as the perfect one who lived the life I could not. He is the perfect Savior (and I am not). He is the one I am to pursue. He is the perfect image of the Father. (Colossians 1:15)
With the new year upon us, I am dedicating myself to reading my Bible cover to cover again. I do this not out of obligation, but out of my desire to look more like Jesus than I look like in my past life. God promises to reveal Himself to us through His Word, and He is faithful to do that. I would encourage you to pray for God’s guidance and direction, and begin reading your Bible in the new year.
If you need someone to encourage and support you as you begin this new year, please consider reaching out to someone on the Burke Care Team. They would love to hear your story and begin walking alongside you.
Father God, You promise to reveal who You are and what You have promised Your children. Be faithful to your word and multiply our time and energy to pursue you, through the power of the Holy Spirit. You are good, and you are faithful. Do in our lives what we cannot do for ourselves. In Jesus’s name we pray! Amen.
Application Questions:
How am I still relying on myself to draw near to God?
What needs to change for me to follow God more closely in the new year?
Where am I disbelieving what God has said about Himself?
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