This is The Way – Devo Day 46

Samekh – Psalm 119:113-120

113 I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.
115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.

Psalm 119:113–115 (ESV)

The psalmist starts this stanza declaring his disdain for “the double-minded,” those with divided commitments, who claim to be Jews yet live as Gentiles or those who claim to believe in God’s Word yet don’t obey it. He sets up a sharp contrast between them and himself. Declaring throughout that he is singularly focused on his commitment to God and love of His Word. He regards the Lord as his “hiding place” and his “shield.” His hope is in God’s wor and. He wants no association with evildoers who might hinder him from keeping the law. He knows the Word so well that it becomes a refuge and a defense in troubled times or under attack. But the hope that he has is not mere intellectual knowledge; it flowed out of his relationship with God.

“Depart from me, you evildoers.” The psalmist understands the power and influence others can have in our lives. He rejects those who stand in oposition to God and His Word because he knows that evil and sin is contagious. He knows that who we keep company with is critically important to his relationship with God so he orders them out of his life.

116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
117 Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually!

Psalm 119:116–117 (ESV)

The psalmist knows that he cannot withstand his enemies without God holding him up. Without this continual support from God, he could not live—either physically or spiritually. His idea was that this support (Uphold me) would come according to God’s word. It would be both consistent with God’s word, and find its source in God’s word.

118 You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments.

Psalm 119:118–120 (ESV)

The psalmist knows that God Word is not only his revelation to us of himself and His Will but also is God’s basis for His judgment. The Word is the measuring line, His Law, and He promises judgment for all who reject it. His judgment ahs a purifying effect, like the removal of impurities in the refining of gold. Dross is the scum of impurities that form on the surface of the precious metal as it is heated, and it is discarded to reveal the pure metal.

Sin in the human heart is much like the impurities in unrefined gold. Sin is very much like the dross in the metal.

• Dross takes away from the shine and luster of the metal.
• Dross compromises the strength of the metal.
• Dross is revealed by the refiner’s fire.
• Dross is worthless and has no purpose.
• Dross in the metal can allow oxidation which changes the metal.

As the Psalmist considered the righteous judgments of God (v20), he looked to his own life and understood that it was not entirely righteous. Ideally, this sense of trembling fear made him run to God for His atoning, covering sacrifice. The psalmist didn’t celebrate over the judgment of the wicked instead it made him tremble in holy fear himself.

You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. – This is The Way

Questions to Ponder

1. When has the company you keep affected your relationship with God and your obedience to His Word? If that is happening right now, what could you do to change their influence? What’s keeping you from doing it?
2. Have you ever “trembled” understanding the gravity of the way you live juxtaposed with God’s Word and the conviction of the Spirit? If so, did you run to God as your refuge or from God in fear and shame? If you ran away, how might you be able to trust His love and forgiveness?

If you are just starting and want to go back and read the previous posts in this series