Hope In God’s Word
When you are distressed what gives you hope? When you are afraid what do you turn to? The refining fire of trials bring what you trust and hope in to the surface. In this psalm we see two different groups of people. Which group do you belong to?
The psalmist is a part of the faithful believers who love God’s word (113,119). He loves the Scriptures because of what the Lord means to him. He is safe and secure because he hopes in promises of God to protect and preserve him (114). He knows that God would be discredited (and wouldn’t be God) if His promises were untrue(116). When in trouble he prays that God would fulfil His promises in His word to sustain and help him (116-117). He knows that eventually he will be delivered from his enemies. He has high regard for God’s commandments and accepts their authority continually (117).
The other group are those that are double-minded when it comes to the Scriptures (113, 118). The double minded are people who are fickle and cannot decide what to believe. They may align themselves with God’s people, but they are not wholly committed to God and His word. As time passes and trials come, their true hope and love is made evident. They wander away, disregarding the truth that they have heard and refuse to obey (118). Their deceitfulness is exposed to all is useless in gaining them eternal life. As a consequence they are rejected by God and have no future with Him (119). They are wicked and will be removed from God’s presence in his fiery judgement (119). A judgment so severe that the psalmist trembles to think about God’s wrath upon the wicked (120).