Psalm 119:51,52
It is very easy and natural for us, as we are by nature, to hide our faith when there is danger of being ridiculed. We do not have to be in danger of being imprisoned or of bodily injury. Being laughed at is enough to tempt us to hide the fact that we are children of God who want to serve Him. And it is only by the grace of God that we do keep His law and will not go along with the world in its sinful entertainment, Sabbath desecration, and other violations of His law.
Surely we ought to say with the psalmist what he says in Psalm 119:51,52 in these words: "The proud have me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from Thy law. I remember Thy judgments of old, and have comforted my self."
Take note of the fact that it is because of God's judgments in days gone by that he found comfort during derision. Having those judgments, we also have the same comfort if we keep them in mind. Remember the flood, the destruction of Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea, judgment upon Korah, Dathan, and Abiram and many other visitations.
But by all means remember the judgment of God upon His Son in the three hours of darkness wherein He cried out of being forsaken of God. Then the judgment was upon Him as our Head Who suffered the judgment against our sins. Remember that when you are ridiculed: and be sure that your proud enemies will also be forsaken by God and cast into the lake of fire. Then sing our versification which declares (PRC Psalter):
Mocked by those who are unrighteous,
Still to Thy command I cleave:
Thinking on Thy former judgments,
Help and comfort I receive.
A sure sign that God's judgment upon our sins was suffered by Christ we find when we continue to cling to God's law and are not turned away by mockery. For this shows that we have been born again because Christ earned a new life for us. We also have comfort because of the humility that He has given us. For breaking God's law is an act of pride, while walking in that law is humility before Him as our Lord and master.
Read: Psalm 119:153-168
Psalter versification #327:2
Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Song for Meditation: Psalter #188/89
Why not sing along??
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Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
II Kings 20:1-21
II Kings 21:1-26
II Kings 22:1-2
Acts 21:18-36
Psalm 150:1-6
Proverbs 18:9-10
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Quote for Reflection:
“The Spirit of the godly rusts away, unless they are well exercised by tribulations.” ~ Martin Luther
“A sanctified person, like a silver bell, the harder he is smitten, the better he sounds.” ~ George Swinnock
Additional Info
- Date: 2-July
Heys, John A.
Rev. John A. Heys was born on March 16, 1910 in Grand Rapids, MI. He was ordained and installed into the ministry at Hope, Walker, MI in 1941. He later served at Hull, Iowa beginning in 1955. In 1959 he accepted the call to serve the South Holland, IL Protestant Reformed Church. He received and accepted the call to Holland, Michigan Protestant Reformed Church in 1967. He retired from the active ministry in 1980. He entered into glory on February 16, 1998.