I started a Scripture listening plan in Dwell (the best app for listening to the Bible, IMO…) — Psalm 119 in 7 days. As I was listening to day 2 this evening, the following verses stood out to me:
“I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame, for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love.” Psalm 119: 46-47.
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible and it’s all about how amazing and good the Torah—a word that means “instruction”—is. The word Torah commonly refers to the first five books of the bible, and is most often translated as “law” in our Bibles, but I hardly think that comes close to defining what it truly means.
Jereme and I have been talking a lot about Torah and how to define it. The word of God says that sin is the transgression of the Torah (1 John 3:4). Without sin, we’d have no need for a Savior, so understanding what sin is, is essential for comprehending the depth of our need for Yeshua to come and do what he did. And you can’t know what sin is without defining Torah.
Again, I hardly think the word “law” does justice to the definition, and even “instruction” is lacking to some degree…
If I had to come up with a definition that suffices in our English language, I’d say it’s simply the way of Yahweh. It’s everything that makes Him holy (or, set apart). It’s essentially the sum total of His very nature. As His image bearers, we are instructed to uphold that nature by living it out. How do we do that? By following His instructions for righteous living as exemplified by the life of His Son and our Messiah, Yeshua.
Put another way: by doing what He created us to do in order that all of creation would function according to how He created it … or as our Bibles say plainly, “by keeping his commandments.”
“If you love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15
This is the way that Yeshua kept, and Philippians 2:8 says he was “obedient to the point of death.” As a result, he is now seated at the right hand of God living out his duties as our high priest in the heavenly tabernacle, and we are instructed to follow his example.
How do we do that? In our conversations here at home, we’ve concluded that it all boils down to one thing:
TRUST.
When I heard the verses above in Psalm 119, I immediately thought of all the men who trusted in Yahweh and His word to the degree that they fully believed they could speak of His testimonies before the kings of this world and not be put to shame. Men like Joseph … Daniel … and our Messiah, Yeshua. These are men who stood for truth, no matter the cost, and, as predicted, God had their backs.
Joseph was falsely accused and thrown into prison … but the Lord blessed him.
Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den (ironically, by a king who loved him—even trusted in his God—and was basically tricked into upholding the laws of men) … but God protected him, still.
Yeshua was also falsely accused, beaten, and put to death by crucifixion—one of the most horrible ways for a person to die and also the fate of many of the apostles after him. And he is now ruling and reigning at the right hand of the Father.
All of these stood firm, proclaiming the name of Yahweh no matter the consequences, because they believed His words to be true:
“I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame, for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love.” Psalm 119: 46-47.
Ultimately, that’s why we seek to keep His Torah, isn’t it? Because we trust Him. We believe Him, just as Abraham believed God (proving it with his actions) and “it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Galations 3:6)
Or do we?
Do we truly trust that we will “speak of his testimonies before kings and will not be put to shame,” because His commandments—His ways—are good, and true, and righteous, and we love them?
We live in a society where many professed Christians are afraid to stand firm in their faith and speak the truth—the Word of God—because they might be put to shame. This is especially true for those in the spotlight, such as celebrities or big-name organizations, with reputations to protect.
When asked hard questions like, “is homosexuality a sin,” or “how does the Bible define marriage,” many shy away from answering boldly for fear of being ridiculed or shunned. Yet the very Word we profess to believe says “I will … speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame…”
Do we believe these words?
I’ll admit it … I have struggled with this somewhat. But He is always faithful to remind me … that He is always faithful.
Many are unsatisfied with the leadership of the rulers of this world (kings, princes, presidents, what-have-you … especially as of late.) But what if all those who claim to follow Christ stood firm like Joseph, Daniel, Yeshua, and many others in Scripture who held fast to the testimonies of Yahweh, speaking and acting boldly, in faith?
What if we all proclaimed His Word (with our mouths and with our actions) in full assurance that we would not be put to shame?
That, in fact, He would be glorified, and His ways would be elevated above the ways of men?
That we, as a kingdom of priests, would assume our positions as His set-apart people, in His Holy nation…
I’d venture to say that maybe … juuuust maybe, we’d be one (or a thousand?????) steps closer to the manifestation of the fullness of His Kingdom …
on earth, as it is in heaven.
