The second section of Psalm 119, verses 9-16, tells us that the Word of God guides us into the path of purity. As sinners, we all live impure lives in an impure world, and all the impurities of life only add dreadful disorder and compounding complexity to our days. Dragging dirt all around is exhausting, and living with mess is far more laborious than living in a clean, quiet place of order. This doesn’t relate just to our homes; it also touches the temple of our bodies and Him Who dwells therein. Some people’s lives are so shabby and cluttered with nonsense – filthy hearts, nasty lips, and dirty minds. This section addresses or alludes to our hearts (verses 10-11); our lips (verse 13); and our minds (verses 9, 12, and 15). Impurity is the product of universal sin, and it goes hand-in-hand with sinners. To find “the path of purity” – and stay on it – we need constantly to “live according to God’s Word” (verse 1). Psalm 119:9-16 teaches us that God’s antidote for impurity is His Word, which we need to “hide in our hearts that we might not sin against God,” and that we might “meditate on His precepts” verses 6-16).
Jeremiah continues compassionately to hammer home the promise of God’s judgment on Judah. In Jeremiah 21:1-23:8, we read again of God’s continuing sentence on Jerusalem and Zedekiah’s selfish and evil administration. Here we see how King Zedekiah requests that “God would perform miracles as in times past so that Nebuchadnezzar would withdraw from Judah” (verse 2). One of the great problems with our culture of unbelievers is the absurd hope within their unbelief that – on their demand – God would somehow retrieve them miraculously out of a desperate, uncomfortable situation and transfer them immediately to a state of comfort and joy. Where does that idea come from? If they will have nothing to do with God in the good times, why should He have anything to do with them in the bad times? Obviously, King Zedekiah – a foolish and wicked king – thinks that God is like a magic Genie to come to his aid whenever he likes, and when he has had enough of Him, to put Him back in the lamp. Zedekiah’s concept of God is not even worthy of his own kingdom, so Jeremiah is instructed to tell him, “the God of Israel says I am about to turn against you the weapons of war that are in your hands; God Himself will fight against Zedekiah” (verses 4-5). It is amazing how Jeremiah warned him repeatedly, but the king and his peers only dug deeper in their sins and unbelief. In chapter 22, we read one of my favorite verses of Scripture which reveals God’s superlative patience: “O land, land, land, hear the Word of the LORD!” (verse 29). This verse should be inscribed on all of our public buildings.
I always appreciate reading Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians. The words of 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13 are encouraging to me because Paul communicates his reception of so much joy from the believers there – even in the face of adversity. Paul’s compassion and love for the Thessalonians emerge right through this text as He writes, “We were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought); out of intense longing we made every effort to see you” (verse 17). Those who truly love each other also miss each other, and they long to be together with one another. They find it lonely and difficult to be apart, and though they may be removed from each other by a thousand miles, they think often about each other. In chapter 3, we see Timothy’s encouraging report about which Paul rejoiced. He wrote, “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you” (3:13). Clearly, Paul had a great love for the Thessalonians and a wonderful relationship with them. May God grant us similar feelings about one another!
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