Psalm 119:161

Psalm 119:161 “Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at Your Word.”
 

An earthly ruler or king is a powerful person, at least from human perspective. It’s been said that the president of the United States is the most powerful person on earth. Even though David was being persecuted by powerful men, he understood that only the Lord was to be feared. I have watched people tremble at what another person could do to them. David, however, was one who could honestly say that his heart did not tremble at the potential of people, but rather he trembled at the thought of living in disobedience to God’s Word. 

In 1 Samual 17 we read of the account where David slew Goliath. In verse 24 it says, “When the Israelites saw the man, they all ran from him in great fear.” From man’s perspective, Goliath was to be feared. From God’s perspective, it was quite another story. 

David asked, “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 1 Samuel 17:26. David’s heart trembled at the Word of God, not the mere challenges of man. Many times we have giants in our lives that dominate us because our fear of man. Do you respect the Word of God to the point that you would suffer persecution rather than disobey it?
 

A true story is told of a minister who was put in prison for preaching the gospel in Russia. After 12 years of incarceration, he was told he could go free if he would remain quiet about God for just one week. His reply was, “I cannot accept these terms. What if God tells me to say something to someone before the week is over?” He would not compromise his obedience to God, for even one week. He went back to prison because his heart trembled at the Word of God, not at what the rulers could do to him. 

Let me encourage you to take some time to meditate on this verse, as you do; ask yourself if you live in fear of people or God.

Continued