Psalm 119 is an instruction how, in the midst of cultural upheaval, to stand firm as does God and His Word in the Heavens.
Psalm 119:170: “May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.”
Luke’s passage records our Lord’s parable of two men, a Pharisee and a publican. They are types of men and women today. Both were sinners and both were guilty before God (Rom. 3:23). The Pharisee, however, thought that God would accept him because of his supposed goodness (vv. 9-12). There is absolutely no hope of deliverance from sin’s penalty on the grounds of anything good in ourselves (Rom. 3:20; Eph. 2:8-10; Titus 3:5). The only way to be delivered from the penalty of sin is to look to Jesus and trust in His work on the cross. This is indicated in the publican’s prayer (v. 13). He prayed, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” What was the result? – v. 14 tells us! And here is the promise for us: Acts 13:38-39.
What a tremendous struggle is described in the verses in Romans 7! Here is a Christian, conscious of the battle which is going on between his old nature and his new nature, having received his new nature through faith in Christ. Notice the agonizing cry in v. 24. How greatly this man needed deliverance, and how he longed to be set free from spiritual and moral bondage! V. 25 tells us he was set free; and here is the promise for us: Romans 6:14.
We know what it’s like to be faced with sudden temptation, though possibly not the kind that threatened Joseph. In Genesis 39, notice the terrible temptation which came to him and the courageous way he overcame (vv. 7-12); then notice how the whole situation was aggravated (vv. 14-20); and finally, notice the word “but” in v. 21, and the words that follow on into v. 23. So there is deliverance for the child of God in times of sudden temptation; and here is the promise for us: 1 Corinthians 10:13.
It has been suggested that those whose testimonies are recorded in the early part of Psalm 34 were some of David’s men who were with him in the cave of Adullam. One of these gives a testimony which will help us. He says, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” So he was gripped by fear. What did he do? He brought his fears to the Lord and told Him of his need of deliverance – and what happened? He tells us that he was delivered from all his fears – and it is important to notice the word “all”. In Proverbs 1:33, we see the Lord’s promise to us about His willingness to free us from fear and to give us peace through faith in Him. His desire for us is illustrated in Mark 4:39.
In 1 Kings 17-19, Elijah’s faith is shining at the brook Cherith and in the widow’s house at Zarephath. On Mount Carmel we see it again, and his challenge to the powers of darkness. He stood up to Ahab, Jezebel and the prophets of Baal – what victory! Then, suddenly, poor Elijah, tired and exhausted, fled for his life (1 Kings 19:3-4). He felt dejected, fearful and depressed and he even prayed to die! He suffered a spiritual collapse, but God came to his help and delivered him; and here is the promise for us: Isaiah 41:10.
Daniel was brought before the officials in Babylon for his fidelity to God, as a result of which he was thrown to the lions (Daniel 6:16-17). When he was safely sealed in the lions’ den the king, Darius, was also doing something (vv. 18-22). In v. 22 we read of his miraculous deliverance, and in vv. 26-27 of the king’s decree which ascribed glory to God who had delivered His servant Daniel; and here is the promise for us: Psalm 34:7.
Read about Stephen and his defense at the beginning of Acts 7. In vv. 54-60, notice his amazing calm and submission, and the fine testimony he gave, even under provocation. We can easily become bitter and resentful when trouble comes and we question God’s dealings with us, but as Stephen was being stoned he glorified God; and here is the promise for us: Psalm 50:15.
