I have stuck to Your testimonies; O Lord, put me not to shame.

Posted : 11 Mar, 2013 02:17 AM

Psalm 119:31 I have stuck to Your testimonies; O Lord, put me not to shame.





We have just seen the choice of the man of God, and the rule

by which he acted upon it. Now we see his perseverance-first

choosing the way-then sticking to it. While he complained of

"his soul cleaving to the dust," he would yet say-I have stuck

to Your testimonies. Thus did he illustrate the apostle's

delineation of the Christian's two hearts (as a converted

African expressed it), "I delight in the law of God after the

inward man; but I see another law in my members, warring

against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to

the law of sin, which is in my members. So then with the mind

I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of

sin." In the midst, however, of the most painful conflicts, the

child of God holds fast his confidence. He feels that he hates

the sin that he commits, and loves the Savior, whom, in spite

of himself, he dishonors; so that, with all his sins and

unworthiness, he fears not to put in his claim among the

family of God.

But, reader, seriously ask yourself-How did you become a

Christian? Was it by birth and education, or by choice? If

indeed by grace you have been enabled to "choose the way of

truth," then be sure you firmly stick to it; or better, far better,

that you had not made choice of it at all. "No man having put

his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom

of God.- If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples

indeed. It had been better for you not to have known the way

of righteousness, than, after you had known it, to turn from the

holy commandment delivered to you." Yet, praised be God for

the security of perseverance! He who enabled you to "put your

hand to the plough" will keep it there in the habit of faith, firm

and steadfast. "The Lord will perfect that which concerns you." Yet this "cleaving to the Lord," can only be maintained by

unceasing conflict. The length and weariness of the way, and

the slowness of your progress, are sources of constant and

harassing trial. Revert, then, to the ground of your original

choice. Was it made under the Lord's light and direction? This

reason may well bind you to "stick to" it. For are not the ways

of God as pleasant-is not Christ as lovely-is not heaven as

desirable-as at the beginning? No- have you not even more

reason to adhere to your choice, than you had to make it? It

was formed before at least you could fully know for yourself.

Now "you have tasted"-you have the seal of experience. Is not

the crown more joyous in the nearer prospect?

Backslider! "has God been to you a wilderness, and a land of

darkness," that you virtually give your testimony after trial,-

'Satan is the better master, and I will return to him?' The world

is the happiest path; and I will walk in it. This is, indeed,

choosing a murderer in the stead of a Father-"forsaking the

fountain" for the "broken cistern." Oh! must there not be

repentance in this path? May that repentance come before it

be too late! Ponder who it was, that befriended you in the

moment of a dreadful extremity, and snatched you as "a brand

from the burning." Ponder the endearing proofs of His love-

condescending to become a man-"a man of sorrows," and to

die in the agony of the cross, bearing for you the eternal curse

of God. And does not gratitude remind you, what returns of

faithful service are due from a creature so infinitely indebted to

Him? Surely the steadfast perseverance with which His heart

cleaved to His costly work, may serve to put to shame your

unsteadiness in "sticking to His testimonies."

Believer! you are determined to abide by your choice,-but not

in your own strength. Remember him, who one hour declared,

that he would sooner die with Christ than deny Him; and the

next hour denied Him with oaths and curses. Learn, then, to

follow up your resolution with instant prayer-"O Lord, put me not to shame." Leave me not to myself, lest I become a

shame to myself, and an offence to Your Church. "I will keep

Your statutes. O forsake me not utterly." Dependence upon

the Lord, in a deep sense of our weakness, is the principle of

perseverance. Never will he shut out the prayer of His faithful

servant. He has promised-"My people shall never be

ashamed;" and therefore, taking firm hold of His promise, you

may "go on your way rejoicing."



by

Charles Bridges

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