Title: When the Obedient Meets Adversity
When the Obedient Faces Adversity 2005-04-17
“There are many persecutors of me and my enemies, but I have not departed from your testimony. I saw and grieved those who deceived those who did not keep your word” (Psalm 119:157-158).
I. Text Commentary
Many people misunderstand that if we obey, we will be blessed with prosperity. Of course, God shows His help immediately to those who obey. However, it cannot be a one-size-fits-all formula. Rather, it is because God allows those who obey Him to suffer and suffer persecution. In the text, the poet confesses his life situation and the influence of the Word he received in that situation. Poets, like us, have passed their trials and prosperous times. However, he always longed for the Word in his various life situations and tried to live by keeping the Word. And such an attitude is the attitude that is still required today of us who want to live as true believers.
II. living in obedience to the commandments
A. Persecuted: “Persecutors and Enemies”
When he tried to live a life of obedience to the commandments, the poet was surrounded by many enemies and persecutors. This world fundamentally displeases God and opposes God. Therefore, when we want to live for God, we must resist the world. “The lust of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the lust of the Spirit is against the flesh” (Galatians 5:17a). It is natural that true saints cannot be welcomed into this world. However, in the midst of the persecution suffered in order to live in obedience, the believer discovers the true nature of this world. In the midst of suffering, you come to realize that this world has no hope and is nothing. Unlike the suffering of disobedience, suffering for the sake of obedience allows the believer to see the essence of this world. So, realizing that he is a stranger, he longs for his hometown with all his heart.
Also, God selects true believers through the fire of suffering. Even if he suffers from disobedience, if he is a true saint, he will repent and return to God. When a true believer experiences hardship while trying to obey God, on the contrary, they long for God and the kingdom of God more because of that suffering. God's providence has no regrets. William Hendrickson once said, "God's providence is like weaving silk." When weaving silk, the pattern is not clearly visible from the top, but it is being woven in detail from the bottom. it will be
Adam and Eve, who possessed a wonderful designation that cannot be compared with ours, also became weary of God and sinned. If they did, what about us, who still remain sinful and corrupt? Will we be able to maintain the purity of our faith if we are constantly placed in the midst of smoothness and prosperity? (footnote 1)
B. More hold on to the Word: “Do not depart from the evidence”
The poet tried not to depart from the testimony of God, the Word of God. And that became the motivation to call on the Lord more earnestly and cling to the day of persecution. If the poet looked to God earnestly, he lived because he was weak. He was terrified and terrified in front of the enemy. And so he held to the word of God even more. When you are prosperous, you have to prosper and be held in the hands of God. When troubles come, troubles come and you must be held in the hands of God. There is never a time when God's hold is not needed. But the Bible mentions special times of suffering and testing. There are times when we need God's support more than ever. For the poet, this moment was such a special moment. The enemies ran on the road, and he was infinitely lonely. However, he did not quarrel with the world, thinking, “This is the time to hold fast to the word of God even more,” and he held on to the word even more. This is the real life of faith. The Word of God is like a rescue tube thrown when a person who cannot swim is drowned. Therefore, instead of feeling futile and tormenting in salty water, we must hold on to it.
C. Mourning for neighbor's disobedience: “Sorry for those who have deceived those who do not keep the word”
Although he was persecuted and treated insignificantly in this world, it could not invade his inner world. Within him was the reign of God that the world could not invade. Those who truly love the Lord cannot be satisfied with loving the Lord alone. It is to earnestly yearn for the people of the world to come to love God together. Therefore, we must not be the only ones living in the light. The light we enjoy should be passed on to our neighbors who are still suffering in the dark. Do we weep over our neighbor's disobedience? Do you have compassion for their souls? God is heartbroken for our unaccompanied sheep at this moment. But how can we be apathetic towards our neighbors?
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(footnote 1.)
2005-04-17