" I tell you the truth, nothing will disappear from the law until heaven and earth are gone. Not even the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will be lost until everything has happened. Whoever refuses to obey any command and teaches other people not to obey that command will be the least important in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys the commands and teaches other people to obey them will be great in the kingdom of heaven. I tell you that if you are no more obedient than the teachers of the law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
" You have heard that it was said to our people long ago, 'You must not murder anyone. Anyone who murders another will be judged.' But I tell you, if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be judged. If you say bad things to a brother or sister, you will be judged by the council. And if you call someone a fool, you will be in danger of the fire of hell."
-- Matthew 5:18-22 (NCV)
This passage is clear enough, but it is taken very literally sometimes, when the spirit is far more symbolic than specific to murder or just the ten commandments.
As Jesus describes above, the SIN (the barrier that comes between you and God) in murder is not the physical act, but in the kernel of hatred that enters into you. That barrier between you and God is not specific to 'hard crimes'. This barrier forms the kernel of thought that comes before any sin. You separate yourself from God not by touching someone in adultery, but just by thinking too fondly of someone.
How To Be the Light: We teach the law through our actions and thoughts. By exercising restraint of our own thought, we not only keep the barriers of separation from forming between us and God, but we can break down the barriers that exist between us and others.
Showing posts with label Matthew. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matthew. Show all posts
Do It!
To Be the light:
o Don't EVER make promises about what you will do (Matt 5:33-37)
o Don't do your acts of righteousness in a way that attracts attention (Matt 6:1-5)
o Don't hide your light away where noone will ever find it. (Matt 5:14-16)
o Just do it. (Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:46-49; Revelation 22:16-17)
That's being the light
o Don't EVER make promises about what you will do (Matt 5:33-37)
o Don't do your acts of righteousness in a way that attracts attention (Matt 6:1-5)
o Don't hide your light away where noone will ever find it. (Matt 5:14-16)
o Just do it. (Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:46-49; Revelation 22:16-17)
That's being the light
Your Light Shines Forth
Matthew 15:1-10
And Jesus called the people to Him and said to them, Listen and grasp and comprehend this: It is not what goes into the mouth of a man that makes him unclean and defiled, but what comes out of the mouth; this makes a man unclean and defiles [him].
Matt 15:10-11 (World English Bible)
And Jesus called the people to Him and said to them, Listen and grasp and comprehend this: It is not what goes into the mouth of a man that makes him unclean and defiled, but what comes out of the mouth; this makes a man unclean and defiles [him].
Matt 15:10-11 (World English Bible)
Built on the Rock
Music: Power FM
Matt 4:24-5:2
News about (Jesus) spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him. Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying " . . .
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Matt 7:24-29
" THEREFORE:
Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
BUT:
Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
(NIV)
Maybe I'm over-simplifying the Gospel of Christ here, but to me... for me, any ministry that represents Jesus Christ must (at it's minimum) represent these three chapters of Matthew. If I want to spread the Gospel of Christ, I need to read the Mountain Message as a to do list and make the verbs action verbs. Any ministry that takes the core message contained here and starts explaining it with old testament history and radical interpretations of epistles is risking being in group 'I-never-knew-you' at the last day.
Matt 4:24-5:2
News about (Jesus) spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him. Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying " . . .
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Matt 7:24-29
" THEREFORE:
Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
BUT:
Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
(NIV)
Maybe I'm over-simplifying the Gospel of Christ here, but to me... for me, any ministry that represents Jesus Christ must (at it's minimum) represent these three chapters of Matthew. If I want to spread the Gospel of Christ, I need to read the Mountain Message as a to do list and make the verbs action verbs. Any ministry that takes the core message contained here and starts explaining it with old testament history and radical interpretations of epistles is risking being in group 'I-never-knew-you' at the last day.
Making room in the Temple
Music :KPEZ - The River
Cleansing the Temple
And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den.”
And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.
But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were shouting in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became indignant and said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?”
And Jesus *said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’?” And He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.
(NASB) Matthew 21:12-17
There is nothing inherently evil about buying and selling. In fact most of the merchants present were providing aids to the worship and giving for the many many pilgrims passing through Jerusalem on Passover week. So what did Jesus mean by the example of the cleared temple?
When we let things crowd out the core values of the Church, of Christianity, and of what it means to be serving the LORD; then we've fallen into the den of thieves. They've already successfully stolen your faith and replaced it with religion.
If we truly believe the gospel of Christ, we will make room for the important stuff, the healing, the prayer, the children. If you find money changers and merchants taking up more and more of your church, get a whip. There are only so many minutes in our lives and we give so few to church. Make room in your house for the lord. Make room.
This week atmy Church, we are replacing our communal meal on the first week of the month with a bazaar to include gambling, selling, and games. In all the planning I didn't hear much about healing, prayer, or spreading the word (unless you call praying for big turnout at the bazaar prayer, and printing lots of flyers advertizing the rummage sale spreading the word.)
I pray I'll have a better report soon.
Cleansing the Temple
And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den.”
And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.
But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were shouting in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they became indignant and said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?”
And Jesus *said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself’?” And He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.
(NASB) Matthew 21:12-17
There is nothing inherently evil about buying and selling. In fact most of the merchants present were providing aids to the worship and giving for the many many pilgrims passing through Jerusalem on Passover week. So what did Jesus mean by the example of the cleared temple?
When we let things crowd out the core values of the Church, of Christianity, and of what it means to be serving the LORD; then we've fallen into the den of thieves. They've already successfully stolen your faith and replaced it with religion.
If we truly believe the gospel of Christ, we will make room for the important stuff, the healing, the prayer, the children. If you find money changers and merchants taking up more and more of your church, get a whip. There are only so many minutes in our lives and we give so few to church. Make room in your house for the lord. Make room.
This week at
I pray I'll have a better report soon.
Praying for Gain
From Jesus' Model Prayer:
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
[For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]
Mattew 6:11-13 (NASB)
I'll raise my hand for today,
I'll raise my hand for tomorrow's love
I'll raise my hand for the Mission of the Great Commision
But count me out for that big pile.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
[For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]
Mattew 6:11-13 (NASB)
I'll raise my hand for today,
I'll raise my hand for tomorrow's love
I'll raise my hand for the Mission of the Great Commision
But count me out for that big pile.
Be The Light
Music: Deep Forest -- Speed Deep
(be the Light) (someone PLEASE help with lyrics)
Matthew 5:13-16
Mat 5:16 Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (New Heart English Bible
)
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It's time! Stop worrying about the world's concerns, and be the light.
(be the Light) (someone PLEASE help with lyrics)Matthew 5:13-16
Mat 5:16 Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (New Heart English Bible
)__________________________________
It's time! Stop worrying about the world's concerns, and be the light.
Justice
Recently, Obama announced he would not pursue criminal activity against the CIA operatives for torturing enemy combatants, but left open the door to prosecute those who gave the orders.
Recently, We had to cease the extradition of a person accused of being a German guard at Auschwitz (I'd guess at the private or corporal level) because at 78, his health would not allow for the long trans-Atlantic flight to Geneva to face trial. The guy was a guard. I'm sure he had orders.
If "I was just following orders" becomes an allowable defense, we've already passed the critical point on the slip away from a free society.
There is a difference between being correctly subordinate to your superiors and putting blinders on to things that are just not right around you.During the immediate aftermath of 9/11 (say a couple months or so), there should be some (OK, lightning outside my window said not to follow that train of thought. )
At some point, you must stand against injustice, or you become contaminated in the crime and liable for your actions. "everyone else is doing it" won't work. "I was just following orders" won't work. "It's not my job" won't work.
If you are Christian, Then you must be prepared to follow the example of Christ.
Matthew 21:1-17
1 When they neared Jerusalem, having arrived at Bethphage on Mount Olives, Jesus sent two disciples 2 with these instructions: "Go over to the village across from you. You'll find a donkey tethered there, her colt with her. Untie her and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you're doing, say, "The Master needs them!' He will send them with you." 4 This is the full story of what was sketched earlier by the prophet: 5 Tell Zion's daughter, "Look, your king's on his way, poised and ready, mounted On a donkey, on a colt, foal of a pack animal." 6 The disciples went and did exactly what Jesus told them to do. 7 They led the donkey and colt out, laid some of their clothes on them, and Jesus mounted. 8 Nearly all the people in the crowd threw their garments down on the road, giving him a royal welcome. Others cut branches from the trees and threw them down as a welcome mat. 9 Crowds went ahead and crowds followed, all of them calling out, "Hosanna to David's son!Blessed is he who comes in God's name!Hosanna in highest heaven!" 10 As he made his entrance into Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken. Unnerved, people were asking, "What's going on here? Who is this?" 11 The parade crowd answered, "This is the prophet Jesus, the one from Nazareth in Galilee." 12 Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. 13 He quoted this text: My house was designated a house of prayer; You have made it a hangout for thieves. 14 Now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in. They came to Jesus and he healed them. 15 When the religious leaders saw the outrageous things he was doing, and heard all the children running and shouting through the Temple, "Hosanna to David's Son!" they were up in arms and took him to task. 16 "Do you hear what these children are saying?" Jesus said, "Yes, I hear them. And haven't you read in God's Word, "From the mouths of children and babies I'll furnish a place of praise'?" 17 Fed up, Jesus turned on his heel and left the city for Bethany, where he spent the night. (The Message)
Recently, We had to cease the extradition of a person accused of being a German guard at Auschwitz (I'd guess at the private or corporal level) because at 78, his health would not allow for the long trans-Atlantic flight to Geneva to face trial. The guy was a guard. I'm sure he had orders.
If "I was just following orders" becomes an allowable defense, we've already passed the critical point on the slip away from a free society.
There is a difference between being correctly subordinate to your superiors and putting blinders on to things that are just not right around you.
At some point, you must stand against injustice, or you become contaminated in the crime and liable for your actions. "everyone else is doing it" won't work. "I was just following orders" won't work. "It's not my job" won't work.
If you are Christian, Then you must be prepared to follow the example of Christ.
Matthew 21:1-17
1 When they neared Jerusalem, having arrived at Bethphage on Mount Olives, Jesus sent two disciples 2 with these instructions: "Go over to the village across from you. You'll find a donkey tethered there, her colt with her. Untie her and bring them to me. 3 If anyone asks what you're doing, say, "The Master needs them!' He will send them with you." 4 This is the full story of what was sketched earlier by the prophet: 5 Tell Zion's daughter, "Look, your king's on his way, poised and ready, mounted On a donkey, on a colt, foal of a pack animal." 6 The disciples went and did exactly what Jesus told them to do. 7 They led the donkey and colt out, laid some of their clothes on them, and Jesus mounted. 8 Nearly all the people in the crowd threw their garments down on the road, giving him a royal welcome. Others cut branches from the trees and threw them down as a welcome mat. 9 Crowds went ahead and crowds followed, all of them calling out, "Hosanna to David's son!Blessed is he who comes in God's name!Hosanna in highest heaven!" 10 As he made his entrance into Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken. Unnerved, people were asking, "What's going on here? Who is this?" 11 The parade crowd answered, "This is the prophet Jesus, the one from Nazareth in Galilee." 12 Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants. 13 He quoted this text: My house was designated a house of prayer; You have made it a hangout for thieves. 14 Now there was room for the blind and crippled to get in. They came to Jesus and he healed them. 15 When the religious leaders saw the outrageous things he was doing, and heard all the children running and shouting through the Temple, "Hosanna to David's Son!" they were up in arms and took him to task. 16 "Do you hear what these children are saying?" Jesus said, "Yes, I hear them. And haven't you read in God's Word, "From the mouths of children and babies I'll furnish a place of praise'?" 17 Fed up, Jesus turned on his heel and left the city for Bethany, where he spent the night. (The Message)
Word
Music: SGX - Deep Breath
______________________________________
Where and Why
Hear it
"Direct my steps by Your Word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me." —Psalm 119:133 (NKJV)
""129 Your testimonies are wonderful;
therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.
131 I open my mouth and pant,
because I long for your commandments.
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your way with those who love your name.
133 Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from man's oppression,
that I may keep your precepts.
135 Make your face shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
136 My eyes shed streams of tears,
because people do not keep your law. " -Psalm 119:פ(ESV)
______________________________________
The following are all directly from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Bible
17. PE.
129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. (KJV)
See here how David was affected towards the word of God. 1. He admired it, as most excellent in itself: Thy testimonies are wonderful. The word of God gives us admirable discoveries of God, and Christ, and another world; admirable proofs of divine love and grace. The majesty of the style, the purity of the matter, the harmony of the parts, are all wonderful. Its effects upon the consciences of men, both for conviction and comfort, are wonderful; and it is a sign that we are not acquainted with God's testimonies, or do not understand them, if we do not admire them. 2. He adhered to it as of constant use to him: "Therefore doth my soul keep them, as a treasure of inestimable value, which I cannot be without." We do not keep them to any purpose unless our souls keep them. There they must be deposited, as the tables of testimony in the ark, there they must have the innermost and uppermost place. Those that see God's word to be admirable will prize it highly and preserve it carefully, as that which they promise themselves great things from.
130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. (KJV)
Here is, 1. The great use for which the word of God was intended, to give light, that is, to give understanding, to give us to understand that which will be of use to us in our travels through this world; and it is the outward and ordinary means by which the Spirit of God enlightens the understanding of all that are sanctified. God's testimonies are not only wonderful for the greatness of them, but useful, as a light in a dark place. 2. Its efficacy for this purpose. It admirably answers the end; for, (1.) Even the entrance of God's word gives light. If we begin at the beginning, and take it before us, we shall find that the very first verses of the Bible give us surprising and yet satisfying discoveries of the origin of the universe, about which, without that, the world is utterly in the dark. As soon as the word of God enters into us, and has a place in us, it enlightens us; we find we begin to see when we begin to study the word of God. The very first principles of the oracles of God, the plainest truths, the milk appointed for the babes, bring a great light into the soul, much more will the soul be illuminated by the sublime mysteries that are found there. "The exposition or explication of thy word gives light;" then it is most profitable when ministers do their part in giving the sense, Neh. viii. 8. Some understand it of the New Testament, which is the opening or unfolding of the Old, which would give light concerning life and immortality. (2.) It would give understanding even to the simple, to the weakest capacities; for it shows us a way to heaven so plain that the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. (KJV)
Here is, 1. The desire David had towards the word of God: I longed for thy commandments. When he was under a forced absence from God's ordinances he longed to be restored to them again; when he enjoyed ordinances he greedily sucked in the word of God, as new-born babes desire the milk. When Christ is formed in the soul there are gracious longings, unaccountable to one that is a stranger to the work. 2. The degree of that desire appearing in the expressions of it: I opened my mouth and panted, as one overcome with hear, or almost stifled, pants for a mouthful of fresh air. Thus strong, thus earnest, should our desires be towards God and the remembrance of his name, Ps. xlii. 1, 2. Luke xii. 50.
132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. (KJV)
Here is, 1. David's request for God's favour to himself: "Look graciously upon me; let me have thy smiles, and the light of thy countenance. Take cognizance of me and my affairs, and be merciful to me; let me taste the sweetness of thy mercy and receive the gifts of thy mercy." See how humble his petition is. He asks not for the operations of God's hand, only for the smiles of his face; a good look is enough; and for that he does not plead merit, but implores mercy. 2. His acknowledgment of his favour to all his people: As thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. This is either, (1.) A plea for mercy: "Lord, I am one of those that love thy name, love thee and thy word, and thou usest to be kind to those that do so; and wilt thou be worse to me than to others of thy people?" Or, (2.) A description of the favour and mercy he desired--"that which thou usest to bestow on those that love thy name, which thou bearest to thy chosen," Ps. cvi. 4, 5. He desires no more, no better, than neighbour's fare, and he will take up with no less; common looks and common mercies will not serve, but such as are reserved for those that love him, which are such as eye has not seen, 1 Cor. ii. 9. Note, The dealings of God with those that love him are such that a man needs not desire to be any better dealt with, for he will make them truly and eternally happy. And as long as God deals with us no otherwise than as he uses to deal with those that love him we have no reason to complain, 1 Cor. x. 13.
133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. (KJV)
Here David prays for two great spiritual blessings, and is, in this verse, as earnest for the good work of God in him as, in the verse before, for the good-will of God towards him. He prays, 1. For direction in the paths of duty: "Order my steps in thy word; having led me into the right way, let every step I take in that way be under the guidance of thy grace." We ought to walk by rule; all the motions of the soul must not only be kept within the bounds prescribed by the word, so as not to transgress them, but carried out in the paths prescribed by the word, so as not to trifle in them. And therefore we must beg of God that by his good Spirit he would order our steps accordingly. 2. For deliverance from the power of sin: "Let no iniquity have dominion over me, so as to gain my consent to it, and that I should be led captive by it." The dominion of sin is to be dreaded and deprecated by every one of us; and, if in sincerity we pray against it, we may receive that promise as an answer to the prayer (Rom. vi. 14), Sin shall not have dominion over you.
134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. (KJV)
Here, 1. David prays that he might live a quiet and peaceable life, and might not be harassed and discomposed by those that studied to be vexatious: "Deliver me from the oppression of man--man, whom God can control, and whose power is limited. Let them know themselves to be but men (Ps. ix. 20), and let me be delivered out of the hands of my enemies, that I may serve God without fear; so will I keep thy precepts." Not but that he would keep God's precepts, though he should be continued under oppression; "but so shall I keep thy precepts more cheerfully and with more enlargement of heart, my bonds being loosed." Then we may expect temporal blessings when we desire them with this in our eye, that we may serve God the better.
135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes. (KJV)
David here, as often as elsewhere, writes himself God's servant, a title he gloried in, though he was a king; now here, as became a good servant, 1. He is very ambitious of his Master's favour, accounting that his happiness and chief good. He asks not for corn and wine, for silver and gold, but, "Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; let me be accepted of thee, and let me know that I am so. Comfort me with the light of thy countenance in every cloudy and dark day. If the world frown upon me, yet do thou smile." 2. He is very solicitous about his Master's work, accounting that his business and chief concern. This he would be instructed in, that he might do it, and do it well, so as to be accepted in the doing of it: Teach me thy statutes. Note, We must pray as earnestly for grace as for comfort. If God hides his face from us, it is because we have been careless in keeping his statutes; and therefore, that we may be qualified for the returns of his favour, we must pray for wisdom to do our duty.
136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law. (KJV)
Here we have David in sorrow. 1. It is a great sorrow, to such a degree that he weeps rivers of tears. Commonly, where there is a gracious heart, there is a weeping eye, in conformity to Christ, who was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. David had prayed for comfort in God's favour (v. 135), now he pleads that he was qualified for that comfort, and had need of it, for he was one of those that mourned in Zion, and those that do so shall be comforted, Isa. lxi. 3. 2. It is godly sorrow. He wept not for his troubles, though they were many, but for the dishonour done to God: Because they keep not thy law, either because my eyes keep not thy law, so some (the eye is the inlet and outlet of a great deal of sin, and therefore it ought to be a weeping eye), or, rather, they, that is, those about me, v. 139. Note, The sins of sinners are the sorrows of saints. We must mourn for that which we cannot mend.
______________________________________
Where and Why
Hear it
"Direct my steps by Your Word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me." —Psalm 119:133 (NKJV)
therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.
131 I open my mouth and pant,
because I long for your commandments.
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your way with those who love your name.
133 Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from man's oppression,
that I may keep your precepts.
135 Make your face shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
136 My eyes shed streams of tears,
because people do not keep your law. " -Psalm 119:פ(ESV)
______________________________________
The following are all directly from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Bible
17. PE.
129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. (KJV)
See here how David was affected towards the word of God. 1. He admired it, as most excellent in itself: Thy testimonies are wonderful. The word of God gives us admirable discoveries of God, and Christ, and another world; admirable proofs of divine love and grace. The majesty of the style, the purity of the matter, the harmony of the parts, are all wonderful. Its effects upon the consciences of men, both for conviction and comfort, are wonderful; and it is a sign that we are not acquainted with God's testimonies, or do not understand them, if we do not admire them. 2. He adhered to it as of constant use to him: "Therefore doth my soul keep them, as a treasure of inestimable value, which I cannot be without." We do not keep them to any purpose unless our souls keep them. There they must be deposited, as the tables of testimony in the ark, there they must have the innermost and uppermost place. Those that see God's word to be admirable will prize it highly and preserve it carefully, as that which they promise themselves great things from.
130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. (KJV)
Here is, 1. The great use for which the word of God was intended, to give light, that is, to give understanding, to give us to understand that which will be of use to us in our travels through this world; and it is the outward and ordinary means by which the Spirit of God enlightens the understanding of all that are sanctified. God's testimonies are not only wonderful for the greatness of them, but useful, as a light in a dark place. 2. Its efficacy for this purpose. It admirably answers the end; for, (1.) Even the entrance of God's word gives light. If we begin at the beginning, and take it before us, we shall find that the very first verses of the Bible give us surprising and yet satisfying discoveries of the origin of the universe, about which, without that, the world is utterly in the dark. As soon as the word of God enters into us, and has a place in us, it enlightens us; we find we begin to see when we begin to study the word of God. The very first principles of the oracles of God, the plainest truths, the milk appointed for the babes, bring a great light into the soul, much more will the soul be illuminated by the sublime mysteries that are found there. "The exposition or explication of thy word gives light;" then it is most profitable when ministers do their part in giving the sense, Neh. viii. 8. Some understand it of the New Testament, which is the opening or unfolding of the Old, which would give light concerning life and immortality. (2.) It would give understanding even to the simple, to the weakest capacities; for it shows us a way to heaven so plain that the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. (KJV)
Here is, 1. The desire David had towards the word of God: I longed for thy commandments. When he was under a forced absence from God's ordinances he longed to be restored to them again; when he enjoyed ordinances he greedily sucked in the word of God, as new-born babes desire the milk. When Christ is formed in the soul there are gracious longings, unaccountable to one that is a stranger to the work. 2. The degree of that desire appearing in the expressions of it: I opened my mouth and panted, as one overcome with hear, or almost stifled, pants for a mouthful of fresh air. Thus strong, thus earnest, should our desires be towards God and the remembrance of his name, Ps. xlii. 1, 2. Luke xii. 50.
132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. (KJV)
Here is, 1. David's request for God's favour to himself: "Look graciously upon me; let me have thy smiles, and the light of thy countenance. Take cognizance of me and my affairs, and be merciful to me; let me taste the sweetness of thy mercy and receive the gifts of thy mercy." See how humble his petition is. He asks not for the operations of God's hand, only for the smiles of his face; a good look is enough; and for that he does not plead merit, but implores mercy. 2. His acknowledgment of his favour to all his people: As thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. This is either, (1.) A plea for mercy: "Lord, I am one of those that love thy name, love thee and thy word, and thou usest to be kind to those that do so; and wilt thou be worse to me than to others of thy people?" Or, (2.) A description of the favour and mercy he desired--"that which thou usest to bestow on those that love thy name, which thou bearest to thy chosen," Ps. cvi. 4, 5. He desires no more, no better, than neighbour's fare, and he will take up with no less; common looks and common mercies will not serve, but such as are reserved for those that love him, which are such as eye has not seen, 1 Cor. ii. 9. Note, The dealings of God with those that love him are such that a man needs not desire to be any better dealt with, for he will make them truly and eternally happy. And as long as God deals with us no otherwise than as he uses to deal with those that love him we have no reason to complain, 1 Cor. x. 13.
133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. (KJV)
Here David prays for two great spiritual blessings, and is, in this verse, as earnest for the good work of God in him as, in the verse before, for the good-will of God towards him. He prays, 1. For direction in the paths of duty: "Order my steps in thy word; having led me into the right way, let every step I take in that way be under the guidance of thy grace." We ought to walk by rule; all the motions of the soul must not only be kept within the bounds prescribed by the word, so as not to transgress them, but carried out in the paths prescribed by the word, so as not to trifle in them. And therefore we must beg of God that by his good Spirit he would order our steps accordingly. 2. For deliverance from the power of sin: "Let no iniquity have dominion over me, so as to gain my consent to it, and that I should be led captive by it." The dominion of sin is to be dreaded and deprecated by every one of us; and, if in sincerity we pray against it, we may receive that promise as an answer to the prayer (Rom. vi. 14), Sin shall not have dominion over you.
134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. (KJV)
Here, 1. David prays that he might live a quiet and peaceable life, and might not be harassed and discomposed by those that studied to be vexatious: "Deliver me from the oppression of man--man, whom God can control, and whose power is limited. Let them know themselves to be but men (Ps. ix. 20), and let me be delivered out of the hands of my enemies, that I may serve God without fear; so will I keep thy precepts." Not but that he would keep God's precepts, though he should be continued under oppression; "but so shall I keep thy precepts more cheerfully and with more enlargement of heart, my bonds being loosed." Then we may expect temporal blessings when we desire them with this in our eye, that we may serve God the better.
135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes. (KJV)
David here, as often as elsewhere, writes himself God's servant, a title he gloried in, though he was a king; now here, as became a good servant, 1. He is very ambitious of his Master's favour, accounting that his happiness and chief good. He asks not for corn and wine, for silver and gold, but, "Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; let me be accepted of thee, and let me know that I am so. Comfort me with the light of thy countenance in every cloudy and dark day. If the world frown upon me, yet do thou smile." 2. He is very solicitous about his Master's work, accounting that his business and chief concern. This he would be instructed in, that he might do it, and do it well, so as to be accepted in the doing of it: Teach me thy statutes. Note, We must pray as earnestly for grace as for comfort. If God hides his face from us, it is because we have been careless in keeping his statutes; and therefore, that we may be qualified for the returns of his favour, we must pray for wisdom to do our duty.
136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law. (KJV)
Here we have David in sorrow. 1. It is a great sorrow, to such a degree that he weeps rivers of tears. Commonly, where there is a gracious heart, there is a weeping eye, in conformity to Christ, who was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. David had prayed for comfort in God's favour (v. 135), now he pleads that he was qualified for that comfort, and had need of it, for he was one of those that mourned in Zion, and those that do so shall be comforted, Isa. lxi. 3. 2. It is godly sorrow. He wept not for his troubles, though they were many, but for the dishonour done to God: Because they keep not thy law, either because my eyes keep not thy law, so some (the eye is the inlet and outlet of a great deal of sin, and therefore it ought to be a weeping eye), or, rather, they, that is, those about me, v. 139. Note, The sins of sinners are the sorrows of saints. We must mourn for that which we cannot mend.
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