Psalm 119:157

Psalm 119:157 “Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from Your statutes.”
 

“Statutes” are explicit laws. They distinctly mean laws that God has laid down and to which He expects obedience under any and all circumstances. This is especially important in light of what David is facing. He is being persecuted, yet he has not turned from God’s statutes. In 1 Samuel 24:4-6 we read, “Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. Afterward he said to his men, ‘The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.’” David knew that even if it meant his own life, he could not turn from God’s statutes. 

When we are persecuted, we seem to feel justified in turning from God’s way of doing things. After all, we are being persecuted. This will always be a problem for the person who thinks their life is more important than God’s life. David loved his Lord more that he loved himself. Therefore, he could remain obedient even in the face of persecution.
 

In Communist China, an elderly man was persecuted for being a. Christian. Since he was also a. musician, they took his finger and sliced them with a razor blade. Then they held them in a fire so he would never be able to play the cello again. In our, typical, way of thinking, that would be grounds for retaliation. Listen to the words of this old man: “If I had a thousand hands with a thousand finger on each hand, I would gladly do it all over again for Jesus. I once used these fingers to bring music. Now I have Jesus and I am music.” His life has become a song that all should sing.
 

Now let me encourage you to take some time to meditate on this verse, as you do; ask yourself how you would handle persecution. Do you turn from God’s statutes or obey them?
 

Continued