Delighting in God’s Word (Part 20): God’s Rescue, Redemption, and Righteousness

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Psalm 119:160

The entirety of your word is truth,
each of your righteous judgments endures forever.

(CSB)

God is a righteous God who hates sin.  The greatest tragedy of humanities fall in the Garden was its placing us at enmity with God due to sin in all our lives (Romans 3:23).  Left in this condition, humanity would have had no hope.  However, God is also a gracious and merciful God providing rescue and redemption for fallen humanity in the person of Jesus, God’s Son (John 3:16).  The message of the Gospel is God’s plan of rescue, redemption, and restoration of righteousness. 

In Psalm 119:153-160 the psalmist begins with asking God to consider his affliction expectantly asking for rescue due to obedience to God’s instructions.  While we have all sinned (Romans 3:23), God’s rescue through the provision of His only Son as a substitutionary sacrifice for sin (2 Corinthians 5:21) is complete.  The power of this rescuing sacrifice means humanity has redemption, and not condemnation from God (John 3:17).  This makes it possible for believers in Jesus as their savior to put on the breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14), not a righteousness emanating from our own hearts due to our good works but the protective righteousness of Christ protecting our hearts.  The psalmist goes on to,

1)      Ask God to champion his cause (Psalm 119:154) – Our salvation is not according to our works but the work of Jesus on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9).  The psalmists asks for a champion, a champion we now have access to in Jesus Christ. 

2)      Acknowledge the lack of salvation for those not studying God’s Word (Psalm 119:155) – Our initial salvation comes through the Holy Spirit as we hear the message of the Gospel.  Upon hearing these words, the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins, giving us an opportunity to either reject or accept God’s gift of salvation from our sins.

3)      Praise the many compassions of the Lord (Psalm 119:156) – It boggles the mind to think that a righteous God would have compassion on his sinful creation and send His only Son to die and forgive sin (Romans 5:8).  We therefore have no need to fear death from God’s judgments due to sin but instead can experience God viewing us as righteous through Christ (Philippians 3:9). 

4)      Continue having faith in God’s Word despite much opposition (Psalm 119:157) – It is unrealistic to believe accepting Christ means an end to opposition in the world in which we live (John 16:33).  However, Ephesians 6:16 reminds us of our shield of faith which wards off these attacks of oppression.  Any opposition to following Christ pales in comparison to the benefits of a personal relationship with a righteous God who loves us. 

5)      Have disgust at those continuing to disobey God’s Word (Psalm 119:158) – The disgust at those rejecting God’s gift of salvation does not come from a feeling of superiority over them for not having the intelligence to realize the benefits of receiving this gift from God but instead a disgust of sorrow, especially when the unbeliever is someone close to us that we love.  We must allow this disgust to motivate us to continue praying for our lost loved ones, praying that the convicting power of the Holy Spirit will convince them to accept Jesus as their savior.

6)      Asking for life according to God’s faithful love (Psalm 119:159) – Some may see it as extremely bold and dangerous for a sinful person to ask God for life, after all the penalty for our sins is death (Romans 6:23).  However, Gods rescue and redemption plan through Christ totally forgives us of this death penalty.  In fact, to receive salvation we must ask (Romans 10:9-10), essentially asking for life (John 3:16). 

7)      Praise the eternity of Gods truth and righteous judgments (Psalm 119:160) – While the world around us is constantly changing, the truth of salvation and its provision of righteousness through Christ never changes. 

God is righteous and hates sin, but he loves sinners and has provided a way to receive forgiveness of sins through accepting Jesus as Savior.  If you have not already done so, I encourage you to pray with me now to receive the gift of rescue and redemption from God by praying with me now,

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

You have now experienced redemption and rescue from a righteous God.  Out of love and appreciation for God providing this gift of salvation, I encourage you to learn more about God through personal study of the Bible, regular attendance at a church teaching the Bible, and associating with others that have experienced salvation through accepting Jesus as their Savior.  May God bless your new life in Christ.