Read Psalm 119:145-152 145With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord! I will keep your statutes. 146I call to you; save me, that I may observe your testimonies. 147I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. 148My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise. 149Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O Lord, according to your justice give me life. 150They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; they are far from your law. 151But you are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are true. 152Long have I known from your testimonies that you have founded them forever.
The psalmist will never deny the realities of this troubled life we all live. In the psalms trouble isn’t rare, it’s common; it’s the norm not the outlier.
The way to persevere through the troubles of life is not to call out for an end to the trouble, but to see the God who is bigger than the trouble. Verse 150 – they draw near who persecute me. Then verse 151 – But you are near, O Lord. There is no denial in faith. Only a greater reality. A greater power.
There is never a time when the person in Christ cannot say, they draw near who persecute me with evil purpose. This is the spiritual warfare that we all find ourselves standing in each and every day. But there is also never a day that we can’t say, But you are near, O Lord. This is our union with Christ that gives us eyes to see the one who is greater than all our troubles.
Trouble is drawing near. Christ is already near. Where will your focus go?
To live is Christ is perspective changing. Not only can we see the spiritual war raging around us, the persecution of the saints by our devouring enemy, but also the nearness of Christ. He is so near that he is one with us in spirit.
Prayer. Jesus, I know you are near to me today. Even as my persecutors would surround me, may the strength of your goodness in me keep me true to your commandments and reliant on your grace. Amen.
To Live is Christ 