In today’s section of Psalm 119, verses 17-24, we see a focus on the priority of obedience (verse 17), the principle of openness (verses 18-19), and the practice of observation (verse 22). In verse 17, the Psalmist says, “I will obey your Word.” In verses 18-19, which teaches us to beseech the Lord for His wisdom and understanding whenever we open the Scriptures, the Psalmist says, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law, and … do not hide your commands from me.” Here, in verse 19, we learn that “we are strangers on earth” (verse 19), for which reason we are “looking for a city with foundations whose architect and builder is God” (cf., Hebrews 11:10). The Psalmist relates that he is “consumed with longing for the laws of God” (verse 20), and the “statutes of God are his delight” – indeed – they are his “counselors” (verse 24). In verse 22, upon observation and reflection, he asks God to “remove from him scorn and contempt” so that he can meditate properly on the Lord’s decrees” (verses 22-23). This section of Psalm 119 teaches that God wants us to know His precepts and to do His will, and it reveals how we should always approach the Scriptures – obediently, openly, and observantly.
Jeremiah 25:15-26:2 also reveals to us that it takes courage on our part to live righteously and above the world’s deception. Here we see the cup of God’s wrath poured out through Jeremiah on Jerusalem and Judah; on Pharaoh king of Egypt and all his attendants and people; and on all the foreign people there” – essentially all the enemies of Israel (verses 15-29). “They all must drink from it because of the sword” (verse 28). God states that His “tumult will resound to the ends of the earth” (verse 31), and “no one will escape” (31-35). In chapter 26, we see that Jeremiah, courageously, stood alone and prophesied God’s judgment before all these people – who all gathered around him with the intent to kill him – for simply saying the truth. I can’t imagine how this must have frightened Jeremiah, but God protected him through it (cf., Jeremiah 15:11-21).
In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul addresses the “day of the Lord” (verse 1). He tells us that it “will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly … and they will not escape” (verses 2-3). But Paul reminds the Thessalonians – and us – that “we are sons of light and of day – not in darkness nor do we belong to darkness” (verse 4-5). Thus, we need not worry or fear the coming of that destruction. Paul also reminds us that we are "not like” those who love this world’s practices (i.e., like those who sleep and get drunk; etc., cf., 5:4-11). He tells us to “be self-controlled and to put on our protection – the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of salvation (verses 7-8). These words are meant for our “encouragement” (verse 11). In 5:24, Paul states that God “is faithful, and He will do” what He promises. Here, we see that today’s readings reveal how the Old and New Testaments work together. Life here in this world is totally deceptive. We are strangers on earth, so we must learn to live spiritually - above the grand deception - which is so powerful, ever-popular, and seductively inviting; but the world’s lifestyle is completely unfulfilling – leading ultimately to heartbreak and everlasting death.
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