“Remember Your word to Your servant,

upon which You have given me hope.” vs49

We put all our hope in God. We have no hope but the Lord Jesus and the good hope through grace. Our hope is strong, because God cannot lie, fail, or change. He’s given us the promises, and He will do it, even eternal life. Hope will not make us ashamed because the Infinite Sovereign loves us. If He didn’t prepare a place for us, then He would have told us so plainly and openly [John 14:2].

Hope in God! Trust His strength and righteousness. Hope in His word.

First, we do not turn away from what He says. vs50-51

“This is my comfort in affliction,

that Your promise has given me life.

The arrogant utterly deride me,

but I do not turn from Your law.”

We will not listen to men, but we take our doctrine from Scripture and withstand them all! We stand upon imputed righteousness, election, and the law of the Spirit of life. We stand upon good works as necessary. Paul says,

“This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.” [Titus 3:8]

“And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet the pressing needs of others, so that they will not be unfruitful.” [Titus 3:14]

We stand on what God says, rather than men, and in doing so, we have more understanding than our oppressors.

Let us never fear men AT THE EXPENSE of God’s truth! Go on believing what He’s taught you. Hold tenaciously to the gospel!

Secondly, we hate false doctrines! Vs52-53

“I remember Your judgments of old, O LORD,

and in them I find comfort.

Rage has taken hold of me

because of the wicked who reject Your law.”

False teachers and rebels against the gospel provoke our wrath. We are angry, rightfully so, though we love people. We hate their deeds and despise them leading others astray. Their teaching is false, leads men to destruction, and dishonors God. We are not mild-mannered, but we fight for truth - tooth and nail.

Too much of today’s preaching is unwilling to offend; it turns over no tables, has no boldness, and has a false sense of piety. Let us be loving, but never GIVE AN INCH to opposers of the gospel. Let us fight for our King, His truth, and His people. Let us bloody our sword and do combat, un-shakingly, because we fear God, not men. We love the truth while hate lies. We can’t love God’s word without despising the rejection and twisting of it.

Thirdly, we are only on this journey for a short time. vs54

Your statutes are songs to me

in the house of my pilgrimage.

Looking at the injustice of police brutality, seeing racism, hatred, and lawlessness leaves us with a sorrow in our heart for this world! We want peace, love, and salvation for our neighbors. We want to rest in Christ, but this world is corrupted by Satan and sin runs wild. We will, however, leave this world for our Maker, and in the meantime, His word is our delight!

We rejoice in God’s goodness, the truth of the gospel, and the power of the Spirit! We rejoice that Christ is our Savior who put away our sins, so they can never be remembered.

“In those days and at that time,

declares the LORD,

a search will be made for Israel’s guilt,

but there will be none,

and for Judah’s sins,

but they will not be found;

for I will forgive

the remnant I preserve.” [Jer 50:20]

We rejoice in the hope of heaven - that this life is temporary and will soon be over! The worst we’ll ever experience ends shortly, and then we’ll have eternity to rejoice [Rev 21:4]. Like the man who rides to be crowned king, we do not mind a little rain. Sometimes, it’s a thunderstorm of trials and heartache, as you watch your country burn. Yet, we ride on to be crowned, nonetheless!

Remember your stay upon the earth is brief. Do not be too weary [2 Cor 4:16-18]. Look to the God who promised you heaven.

Finally, we are committed to keeping God’s word. Vs55

“In the night, O LORD, I remember Your name,

that I may keep Your law.”

This is not half-hearted or accidental obedience. We look to Christ in Scripture and turn our minds to Him. We search for Him and cry out for Him in prayer. We are diligent seekers and holders of truth: We’ve given ourselves to the gospel. Paul said,

“For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” [1 Cor 2:2]

Be about this life, because this is godliness; it is loving God’s word, interpreting it, and practicing it rightly!

This is my practice,