Kaph
Psalm 119 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 5 viewsPart one of this message will emphasize the reality of human hardship, but we will remember, through the teaching of the Psalm, that God’s people are not discouraged by adversity.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
Introduction:
The condition of sinful human beings is suffering, disappointment.
We face failure, difficulties, adversity far more than we experience great success.
The Word of God does not hide this reality from us.
Trusting in God (Jesus) does not remove us from the world and absolve us from difficulties.
Indeed, as the Book of Acts, the lives of the apostles, the New Testament letters, and early histories reveal, there have been times when identifying with Christ enhances those difficulties.
Part one of this section will be a good occasion for us to remember the terms:
Faith
Hope
It will also give us another opportunity to think about how mature believers react while being “in between” the giving of God’s promise and its fulfillment.
There are two extremes to be weighed.
Longing for Deliverance and Comfort
Longing for Deliverance and Comfort
While we have seen repeated references to the suffering or adversity faced by the Psalmist, the initial two statements in Kaph gives us much to consider.
The Hebrew terminology can be understood with greater clarity through two additional passages:
Ps. 84:2 where it is used to clarify or intensify the meaning of “נִכְסְפָ֬ה”. The two might even form a hendiadys.
For the expression in Ps. 119:82, we can look at a negative, or harsh warning that God gave to the people of Israel in Dt. 28:32.
We should be cautious about understanding these as complaints because they are, most likely, to be positive expressions of great anticipation or eagerness for God’s promised deliverance.
In either of these expressions, what we cannot overlook is the genuineness of the extremes.
He is “at the end,” and he will express this with greater clarity soon.
The writer “longs” for salvation.
The longed for salvation/deliverance is not just something felt or desired.
The second line of the opening stanza clarifies that he expectantly awaits for the promised event to occur.
So, the longing is not generated by circumstances alone or by personal feelings alone. It is a genuine longing to see the anticipated, promised deliverance come to pass.
Consider Hebrews 11 and Abraham.
Also, remember Rev. 6 and the cry of the souls under the altar.
Finally, remember Romans 5:1-4.
Introduction (Part 2):
Introduction (Part 2):
In the second half of the study of this octad, we can build upon what we learned/were reminded of this morning.
God’s trustworthy character is the basis for the reliability of His Word.
He is the object of our trust/reliance.
His word gives us certainty about the future.
The Bible does not obscure or hide the reality God’s people live under in the world.
A contrast, however, should exist for the mature (perhaps expand upon why I’m using this term).
An Admission of Weariness
An Admission of Weariness
In a difficult expression, the writer tells of his physical weariness.
We have no frame of references, per se, for the wineskin in the smoke, but the most likely meaning is to being dried up, or for a human being, wearied.
Note the contrast between what he feels and his relationship with God’s statutes.
We need real anchors that are true, but independent of ourselves.
In the face of adversity, mature believers react differently from what might be expected.
The adversity drives us to greater commitment.
Instead of causing us to doubt God and his promises, adversity solidifies our trust in His promises and enhances our longing to see Him bring them to pass.
A Longing for Vindication:
A Longing for Vindication:
English translations render Ps. 119:84 with “how long must your servant endure?”
Hebrew = “How many are the days of your slave”?
Line two prevents us from seeing this as a longing for his life to end.
Instead, he wants to see God act on those who persecute him based upon the very judgments they refuse to live by in their own lives.
Longing for God’s to judge in righteousness is not an unloving or uncaring act.
It is one thing to long to have God do things to people for our benefit.
It is another to long to see God’s righteousness prevail in a world that hates Him, discredits Him, and outright rejects His capacity/ability to do anything.
Those who are arrogant/rebellious against God have, according to Ps. 119:85 set pitfalls/traps in which to ensnare him.
Ps. 9:15; 57:6; 119:85; Prov. 26:27; 28:10; Eccles. 10:8.
He draws, again, a contrast between the reliability of the Word of God and the falsehoods used by his opponents against him.
They have come close to “ending him” on the earth, but none of their actions have dissuaded him from wanting to live his life based on God’s testimonies.
The example of Jeremiah - Jer. 17:14-18; Jer. 18:18-23.
