Psalm 119: Focus On God's Word Pt. 133 Believers Sheltered By Trusting God And His Word

Mercy and salvation based upon God's Word.

Psalm 119:41  VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. 

This text begins the next eight verse section of Psalm 119. The Psalmist is teaching us to pray for the mercies of God to flow to us unimpeded because we need to receive His mercies that are new every morning. 

He prayed for the full manifestation of His great salvation so that when his life on earth was over, he would spend eternity with God in heaven. 

He prayed for these specific things because God promised them to all who believe Him and trust what He says in His Word.

Thus this text contains the Psalmist's request of Jehovah while the next verse contains his reason and motivation for his request.

Trusting God and His Word is the basis for our protection. 

Psalm 119:42  So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. 

The Psalmist teaches us that we should have a sound reason for any prayer petitions that we submit to the Lord. 

In this example, he prayed for mercies and salvation that God promised to give to those who believe His Word. 

He did this because some mocked his faith in Jehovah and others reproached his determination to live for the glory of God.

The Psalmist wants us to know that he is mocked or derided because of His trust in God's Word. 

We too, shall experience the scorn and ridicule of mockers when we choose to stand upon the Rock of scripture. 

Trusting in the Word of God is our rallying point. This means that we are to trust what God says as His word reveals the God we trust in.

Jesus prayed for future believers who hear the word and believe on Him.

John 17:20,21  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21)  That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 

This prayer of Jesus is often referred to as His High Priestly prayer. Jesus prayed this right before His betrayal and arrest. 

He prayed for His disciples so that they would be transformed to carry on gospel ministry as His apostles, when the church was birthed (Acts 1 & 2). 

Jesus also prayed for generations of future believers who would respond with repentant faith after hearing the gospel preached. 

Jesus specifically prayed for those who will believe on Him through the apostolic preaching of inspired truth. 

This is the same truth that the Psalmist wants us to see. We trust what God says in His Word because the scriptures reveal the God in whom we trust or believe on. 

We do not trust God without His Word for His Word is His love letter to all mankind. His Word is His Self revelation to us. God in all His fulness is the object of our faith and He is made known to us through His Word. 

Trusting in God is an exercise of faith whereby we look upon God in Christ through His promises, depending upon Him to supply all our needs, and are encouraged to cheerfully walk down the path that He wants us to walk on. 

Trusting God brings a new life in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:19  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 

Trusting God is looking upon God in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, that He made Jesus to be sin for us even though He is sinless, so that we might be made righteous before God when we are "in Christ" (See 2 Corinthians 5:21).

Trusting God who dwells fully in Christ (See Colossians 1:19; 2:9) for our salvation means that we experience the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost (See Titus 3:4-6). 

It means that we wondrously see our old life pass away and all things made new, as we learn to walk in newness of life (See 2 Corinthians 5:17).

Trusting God when the storms of life arrive.

Psalm 36:7  How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. 

Psalm 57:1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. 

King David wrote Psalm 36 and Psalm 57. See how both of his triumphant expressions of faith in Jehovah are connected to his faith, his trust in God. One text extolls the lovingkindness of God while the other text extolls His glorious mercy.

He starts with the lovingkindness of God, which refers to His infinite love, mercy, compassion and grace toward all who place their trust in Him. God's lovingkindness toward us, motivated Him to supply our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

God's protecting love and sheltering grace is compared with a mother hen gathering her chicks before an oncoming storm, and covering them with her wings. 

The reason that the Psalmist seeks shelter by trusting God is because men will personally attack his faith in Jehovah. 

When the storms of unbelief erupt, when the foolish rantings of mockers start, he wants to be under the protective shadow of God's everlasting arms. 

Trusting God's protecting love in the midst of adversity.

Isaiah 43:1,2  But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2)  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 

The promises of God are secured for us through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Jehovah tells all believers to not be afraid, because He paid the price of our sin debt. He bought us with His own blood. He now says that we are His children. 

As a child of God, He promises that He will go with us through the deep and dangerous waters of life. He will make sure that when we walk through fiery trials or afflictions, we will not be destroyed.

He promises to work all things out for our good and for His glory (Romans 8:28). 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Psalm 84:9-12  Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed. 10)  For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11)  For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. 12)  O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. 

The words of the Psalmist will close this post for us. Our confidence is in the Word of God. Jehovah is a shield to all who place their trust in Him. Seeing the beauty of His holiness and the lovingkindness He extends to us, fill us with great joy and peace. 

One day spend in the courts of Jehovah's temple is better than a thousand days spent doing any other thing. 

It is better to sit on a stool and open the Temple door for people to enter, than to dwell around wicked people. 

Jehovah is our sun and shield. He will send His grace and show us His glory. He will not withhold any good thing from those who trust Him. 

Therefore, believers today like the Psalmist of old, are truly blessed because we trust Him and believe His Word. May we seek shelter under His wings, so that we may serve and love Him more. 

Bob