Daily Devotional Sunday 19th May 2024
by William Moody
Psalm 119:49–72
Zayin
49 Remember your word to your servant,
in which you have made me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise gives me life.
51 The insolent utterly deride me,
but I do not turn away from your law.
52 When I think of your rules from of old,
I take comfort, O LORD.
53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my sojourning.
55 I remember your name in the night, O LORD,
and keep your law.
56 This blessing has fallen to me,
that I have kept your precepts.
Heth
57 The LORD is my portion;
I promise to keep your words.
58 I entreat your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 When I think on my ways,
I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60 I hasten and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
I do not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to praise you,
because of your righteous rules.
63 I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
64 The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love;
teach me your statutes!
Teth
65 You have dealt well with your servant,
O LORD, according to your word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
68 You are good and do good;
teach me your statutes.
69 The insolent smear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
70 their heart is unfeeling like fat,
but I delight in your law.
71 It is good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
72 The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.(ESV)
Hope is to be found as we grasp hold of the great promises of God (v49). This ability to find hope in God’s word is a gift from God, something that the Lord produces in us through His Spirit.
In the trials of life, in the midst of suffering it as we hold on to the promises of God that we can find comfort (v50). This of course isn’t always easy, as we life in a world which is opposed to God and to His people (v51). We need to be determined to hold on to the promises of God no matter what opposition we face. What helps us do this is the great comfort God’s word brings to us (v52). The Psalmist loves the word of God because again and again in the trials of life the Lord has helped Him greatly through it.
It is out of a love for God that the Psalmist has ‘Hot indignation’ at those who forsake God’s law (v53). Righteous anger needs to be a real part of the Christian’s life as it was also a real part of Jesus’ life.
Anger is only righteous against those who break God’s law if it is accompanied by a real zeal to rejoice in and to keep God’s law (v54). Have you such a zeal and joy in God’s word?
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