Good morning,
The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.
The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
Psalm 119:113-120 God is our hiding place
“113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.”
The Psalmist acknowledges his dependence on God. God is his hiding place and God’s word is his hope, love, respect, and fear. His desire is to obey God’s word and he asks God to help him do it. He also realizes that it is God who is and will continue to judge the wicked.
There is a song in our hymnal called “Near to the heart of God”. This song helps us to understand this passage.
1 There is a place of quiet rest,
near to the heart of God,
a place where sin cannot molest,
near to the heart of God.
2 There is a place of comfort sweet,
near to the heart of God,
a place where we our Savior meet,
near to the heart of God.
3 There is a place of full release,
near to the heart of God,
a place where all is joy and peace,
near to the heart of God.
Quiet rest, comfort, joy, peace, is found near to the heart of God. The “hiding place” of today’s passage.
Have you gone to God’s hiding place lately? Are you seeking something from God, needing encouragement, protection, or comfort?
Come to God’s hiding place, near to the heart of God.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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