“Wonderful are Your testimonies;

therefore I obey them.” vs129

We preach the gospel of God’s grace to the world as commanded, because it is wonderful! It is the gospel that saves the soul, that gives God glory, and it is utter truth; it is the gospel that we’ve been commissioned to preach, and we must do it through life, death, and sacrifices.

It is the gospel that the martyrs preached, as the Huguenots were ripped open by papal orders and wild beasts pleased Caesar.

It is the gospel that Jeremiah and the prophets preached - glorifying God as the Savior of sinners, as the Absolute One to be trusted.

It is a gospel preached in love, care, and concern for others; it does not disregard my neighbor nor mock at his sufferings [Acts 10:38]. It is a gospel that makes us just and righteous. It is a gospel that helps the poor and the widow, so that saints take care of their own.

This gospel, which glorifies God, is our chief command, and it EXPRESSES our love; it is not the doing of “good works” apart from the gospel; it is making it known and exemplifying it to others. It is the gospel that breeds compassion because He pities us.

Let us be about this command, full steam! Rev up your engine and get going. The gospel in the power of God’s Spirit gives life.

Secondly, God gives information to the simple!

“The unfolding of Your words gives light;

it informs the simple.” vs130

We are poor sinners, and He teaches us. The word of God is most valuable because it instructs and enlightens. By itself, it has no power, but in the hand of the Spirit it is mighty, piercing within. It instructs us on God’s forgiveness and love for each other; it teaches us patience and kindness; it guides us in the good way, or we’d live like beasts.

A portion is written on the sinners heart - the restraining conscience - but when the word of God is preached the gospel comes with power [Rom 2:14-16]; this is how God saves the soul, transforms, and strengthens! He gets the word to us - not a misinterpretation, but the actual truth of the gospel.

Cherish this word and preach it! Use it as your power.

Thirdly, we want to be ordered and directed.

“Order my steps in Your word;

let no sin rule over me.” vs133

We don’t want our way, we want guidance.

Someone wrote to me, “How should I respond to the denial of racism among the brethren? It is hurtful.” We must respond in love, and I don’t have all the answers, but I know that as we talk to them, hear them, and reason, we must use love as our weapon.

Growing up, I did not like MLK Jr and preferred Malcom X: Eye for an eye, tooth for tooth, and self-defense. After I heard the gospel, I put away my anger and hatred, as we are all justified the same way by faith in Christ. I’m not accepted because I’m Black, but because of the Red Blood of Jesus Christ - the Crimson that washes away my stain. Therefore, we must accept others. Yet, I’ve seen MLK’s wisdom on using love. After George Floyd was murdered, I looked upon the White protestors, and realized that we needed them to make change. MLK was right. Love is better, because it unites and does not push away; it does not make enemies but friends; it takes the moral high ground.

In the gospel, we go higher! We rise up to love those that offend us, not staying silent as if we must accept the status quo, but dealing gently and patiently, so they can see our concerns and hear them [1 Pet 3:8]. We pass by transgressions and forgive. We look away from weaknesses to what we have in common, because NONE OF US is perfect, and we all have sins.

The Lord is our blessed Teacher, and we bless Him for instruction. He guides our ways.

Fourthly, I can only keep God’s precepts, if He redeems me.

“Redeem me from the oppression of man,

that I may keep Your precepts.” vs134

I don’t have the power of my own, so I need unbelief and temptation to be dealt with. We need God on the scene, and we look to Him for help: He does everything. He has not required us to take one step without grace, but He will work in us to will and to do His good pleasure.

Don’t have a gospel of a waiting God… waiting at the other side of the sea for you to cross it. Jesus is in the boat. He walks on water. He helps the helpless.

Finally, we grieve, moan, and beg because God’s law is not established.

“My eyes shed streams of tears

because Your law is not obeyed.” vs136

We hate to see sinners perish. We are angry at sinful rebellion in Black and White communities. We are not one sided, but we hate all evil.

We cannot fight every sin equally, but we mourn sisters and brothers in South Africa fighting rape. We mourn child molesting and forced child marriage in Nigeria. We mourn all kinds of things. We are anti-abortion but ANTI ALL KINDS OF THINGS after the babies are born. We hate evil and its impact upon sinners!