There’s a Prize at the End For Keeping God’s Testimonies

I remember a time when I was stuck spiritually. I was stale and starting to faint. I confessed to my pastor that I was only reading the New Testament and had no desire to read the Old Testament. I just couldn’t bring myself to read what I thought was boring history that had nothing to do with my life.

We prayed that day that I would have a desire to read the Old Testament, and then I started dutifully reading through it. A whole new world opened to me. There were so many stories of how God works that presented principles I could live by. The Old Testament was exactly what I needed, and still need. It’s there I find so many testimonies. I see mistakes I should avoid (and why I should avoid them!). I see faith I should emulate. I see God’s love and forbearance with his people I should remember and appreciate. I see the faithfulness of God and some of his choice servants. That’s why testimonies is my favorite word for the word in Ps. 119.

We’re on our last three of the verses today. I’m sad to see it end, because this study has refreshed my soul with some of the great Old Testament stories and principles. David wrote Ps. 119, and he clearly loved the Old Testament stories he had available to him. Little did he know that his life would provide me with additional testimonies to know, love and apply.

Psalms 119:157 Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.	David surely had persecutors and enemies. Among the testimonies he had available to him was Joseph’s life: Gen 50:18-20  And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants.  (19)  And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?  (20)  But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. David could see from this that God has his unseen-at-the-time purposes. He refused to push those testimonies aside. To me, Joseph and David are testimonies of Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Psalms 119:167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.	I also love God’s testimonies. Does my soul keep them? As long as I can remember them, I try to keep them. One of them is how to be a good wife. 1Pe 3:4-6  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.  (5)  For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:  (6)  Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. That’s a hard testimony to keep, except in combination with another testimony. Pro 21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
Psalms 119:168  I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.	Why did David (and so why should I) keep his precepts and his testimonies? Because my ways are before him. Heb 12:6-7  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  (7)  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? I want a testimony like the Apostle Paul’s, Php 3:13-14  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  (14)  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Don't Let the Unfolding News Today Capture You

I flipped on the TV while I was on the treadmill this morning and heard the news about the Boston bombers—one being killed, the other still to be found. It made me wonder if there are others like them all over the place that no one suspects. It’s not the same country I grew up in. (I could get carried away with that.)

After I finished walking my 3 miles, I took out my Bible to continue down the Ps. 119 path looking at all the verses that mention testimonies. The next three were so good. They provide the perspective I need during times like this.

The news coverage will continue throughout the day as more suspects are found and caught. It will be gripping. But I have richer things to think about. Join me in looking at three testimony verses, and let’s get our minds off of the events of the day for a few minutes.

Psalms 119:88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.	If testimony is my favorite word for the word in Ps. 119, lovingkindness is my favorite characteristic of God. This is a great prayer. Lord, enliven me with your lovingkindnesses that you so amply provide, then I’ll apply what I know of your testimonies. Bottom line, I just need God’s help to keep his testimonies. I need God to come through for me and encourage and embolden me.
Psalms 119:95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.	If there ever was a time to become distraught over the wickedness surrounding us, this is it. The wicked, including Satan, is a destroyer. The message of this verse is one of focus. Yes, the wicked want to destroy us and our families, but rather than get carried away, consider his testimonies. Didn’t Saul want to destroy David? Look who won. God was with David because he was a man after God’s own heart. He was chosen by God. I’m chosen by God. Those who trust in God are winners. Destroyers are losers. The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. (Hebrews 13:6)
Psalms 119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.	Understanding is applied knowledge. Teachers may have knowledge, but I know how to apply knowledge when I meditate on God’s testimonies. Esther knew God’s greatness, but it wasn’t until she applied her faith and stood up for her people before the king, who had the power to destroy her, that she really meant anything to her people and accomplished God’s plan for her. I meditate on that, and it makes me want to trust God to find out and stand up for what I need to. The writer of Hebrews (13:6 above) got fuel for his faith from this O.T. testimony of David's: In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. (Psalms 56:11)