Our readings in the Law and the Psalms provide useful material for exhortation as we approach the memorials.
We are confident that we have the truth of the Gospel. All of us believe that truth and are committed to applying it in our lives or we would not be here. We certainly are not here to enjoy the majesty of a building or the excellent sounds of a fine organ.
Life and death
Furthermore, we all believe that eventually, and maybe in the near future, we will experience standing before the judgment seat, at which time we will learn whether we are to receive eternal life or eternal death. There is no in-between situation of a second chance, of living on in a mortal condition.
Most of us probably wish there was some middle ground as we often feel that is about where we are. We are not wicked people but neither do we feel that we are the upright that are constantly referred to in the Psalms. But we cannot escape the clear message of the Bible. It is either a blessing or a curse.
Israel had the issue put to them. The options before them were wonderful blessings — “The LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body…and in the fruit of thy ground…thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow… and thou shalt be above only…” or horrible curses — “Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field…the LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword…” (Deut. 28:11-22, etc.).
They, no doubt, would have preferred something different. Maybe they could have an arrangement where some good behavior meant some blessings and a few sins meant some difficulty. But that is not the way God set the matter to them.
On an individual basis they were told, “The meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace…the wicked shall perish…into smoke shall they consume away” (Psa. 37:11,20). This same end is portrayed by the Lord Jesus when he said, “These shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal” (Matt. 25:46).
As we know, eternal life is not just continuing to live, it is living with the peace of being one with God, with the joy of fellowship with the redeemed and the exhilaration of being incorruptible. We know, too, that the wicked will experience “weeping and gnashing of teeth…tribulation and anguish” before dying forever (Lk. 13:28; Rom. 2:9).
What we must do
With such extreme opposites staring us in the face, we are wise to continually meditate upon what we must do to be blessed and not cursed. The Psalms are helpful in providing such exhortation.
Psalm 15 provides information about who will live forever. Right action and right thinking are both stressed. We are to walk uprightly and to speak the truth in our hearts (v.2). Then we are warned against hating others. Slandering another, doing evil to them or gossiping against them will not be practiced by those who will dwell with God (v.3). In verse four, the exhortation is to love good people, reject wicked ones and to be people of integrity. The Psalm closes with a warning against taking advantage of others (v.5). This is a short Psalm which we could all memorize.
Memorizing portions of scripture is a great aid in obeying God. In Psalm 16, which is about the Lord Jesus, we read, “My reins also instruct me in the night seasons” (Psa. 16:7). In order for his reflections to be useful, even as he lay half asleep, Jesus must have memorized scriptures so that he could think on them and be instructed by them. The same thing is indicated by the words, “0 how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day” (Psa. 119:97).
Praise the Lord
The Psalms are full of instructions to “bless the LORD at all times” (Psa. 34:1). When we extol the person of God, we find we receive much instruction in righteousness from our praise. Psalm 34 goes on to say, “My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad…I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (vs. 2-4). These words of praise exhort us to be humble. In addition, thinking about how good God has been to us reminds us of how we should be helpful to those around us who are in need or distress.
The same type of exhortation can be drawn from Psalm 63: “O GOD, thou art my God, early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee…because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee” (Psa. 34:1-3). Here we are exhorted to truly thirst for the things of God; and, in thinking upon the lovingkindness of God, we realize that we, too, should be loving and kind.
Psalm 103 may seem like a wonderful praise of God, which it is, but it is also a very powerful exhortation. Consider the words, “Bless the LORD, 0 my soul, and forget not all his benefits; who forgiveth all thine iniquities…who satisfieth thy mouth with good things…the LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed” (Psa. 103:2-6). We are supposed to be children of our Heavenly Father, imitating His example. Do people think of us as forgiving? As providing good things for others? As those who go out of their way for the oppressed?
The Psalm continues to say, “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him” (Psa. 103:13). All of us who are parents can examine ourselves as to whether we are harsh with our children or, like our God, understanding of their needs, helping them through their difficulties.
Ejecting wrong thoughts
Another benefit of praising God is that it is difficult for our minds to reflect on our loving, holy Heavenly Father and, at the same time, think vicious or lustful thoughts. The two will not go together in our minds.
We remember that it is not just enough to sweep out what is bad, we must replace it with good. If we neglect to do this, then we leave a vacuum which will be filled by unprofitable thoughts inevitably leading to sinful words and actions. As a man “thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Prov. 23:7).
Prepared for the emblems
Between the readings in the Law and those in the Psalms, we find useful meditations to draw our minds to the Lord Jesus and his sacrifice for us. As we remember him, let us determine anew that we will live so that, by his grace, our end will be a blessing and not a curse.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One