Psalm 119 (15)

Introduction: A modern day retelling of the unjust judge and persistent widow.

A prayer for defence while wrestling with the wicked.

Read text: Psalm 110:153-160

Observations from notebook about each verse.

Summery observations:

Every verse contains a description of God’s word.

Two times the word rules, or right decisions is used.

Three times he asked specifically for life.

Five of the eight verse he mentions his wrestling with the wicked.

In three verses the same Hebrew word is used as he asks the Lord to consider or (see) his case.

Transition: With these observations we can conclude that this is prayer coming from a man under sharp affliction from persecutors, and while he seeks to defend his innocence he is asking the Lord to take up his case, for the Lord to give him life, to redeem him. Ultimately he is praying in order to gain the attention of God to defend his disputes.

Is there an example for us to follow here? What do we learn from this prayer?

How can we pray like this?

Be confident in our Defender. (Key verse 154)

Focusing on how Jesus is the answer to this prayer, and He is our confident answer today.

We can pray full of faith because He has shown us “great mercy”. Ephesians 2

Be encouraged by the eternal and sovereign rule of His word. (key verse 60)

Focusing on how God’s word is truth regardless of what bills are passed in the senate.

We can be encouraged in midst of great persecution , even while we are stunned with disgust about the wicked rulings of earthly governments because as those who belong to Christ we are citizens of another land and the righteous decrees from the King of Heaven will stand for eternity even if for a little while they are ignored.

Christians, we take comfort because the sum of God’s word is truth, and every one of His righteous rules will endure forever. We are encouraged in our prayers for justice because our God has shown us that He is faithful in Christ, and he will be faithful to His word forever.

Closing: Reading Luke 18:1-8

Luke 18:1–8 ESV

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ ” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”