Oppressed as the Psalmist

Posted : 22 Aug, 2013 05:38 AM

Psalm 119154 Plead my cause, and deliver me; quicken me

according to Your word.





Oppressed as the Psalmist appeared to be by the weight of

his affliction, he is at no loss where to apply for help. He

carries his righteous cause to Him, who "stills the enemy and

the avenger"-"Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive

with me: fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of

shield and shield, and stand up for my help. Draw out also the

spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me; say

unto my soul, I am Your salvation." Thus must we throughout our warfare maintain "the patience of hope," waiting for the

Lord, "until He plead our cause, and execute judgment for us."

If there is an accuser to resist, "we have an advocate" to

plead, who could testify of His prevailing acceptance in the

court of heaven, "Father, I thank You, that You have heard

Me. And I knew that You hear Me always." Our Redeemer

does indeed plead our cause successfully for our deliverance;

when but for His powerful advocacy we must have stood

speechless in the judgment-helpless, without any prospect of

acceptance. Awful indeed was the cause which He had to

manage. Our adversary had the law on his side. We could not

deny the charge, or offer satisfaction. We could neither "stand

in the judgment," nor flee from the impending wrath. But at

that moment of infinite peril, our cause was pleaded by a

"Counselor," who never was nonsuited in court, who brought

irresistible pleas, and produced satisfaction that could not be

denied. The voice of deliverance was heard in heaven-

"Deliver them from going down to the pit: I have found a

ransom." This ransom is no less than the price of His own

"precious blood," "shed for many for the remission of sins," a

ransom, which has merited and obtained eternal deliverance

for His people, and which still pleads for the expiation of the

guilt, which attaches to their holiest services, and defiles their

happiest approaches to their God. When therefore Satan

accuses me: yes, when my own heart condemns me, I may

look upward to my heavenly Advocate-Plead my cause, and

deliver me. "O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me. You

will answer, O Lord, my God."

Poor trembling sinner! take courage. "Your Redeemer is

strong-He will thoroughly plead your cause," and leave no

charge unanswered. But you say 'How know I that He speaks

for me?' Yet if not for you, for whom does He speak? Who

needs an advocate more than you? He pleads indeed nothing

favorable of you; but much, very much for you. For He pleads

the merit of His own blood, "that takes away the sin of the world"-even that great sin of "unbelief," of which His Spirit is

now "convincing" you; and which you are now made to feel,

lament, and resist, as the bitterest foe to your peace. And

does He not "ever live to make intercession for you?" Why

then hesitate to apply the certain and consoling inference, that

"he is able to save to the uttermost?" Why discouraged by the

sight of sin, temptation; backsliding, difficulty, and fear, arising

before you on every side; when after you have taken the most

extended view of the prospect of sorrow, this one word

"uttermost" goes beyond it? If you feel it hard to believe, send

up your cry- "Help my unbelief." Only do not dishonor Him by

willful despondency; and do not add the sin of disobedience,

in delaying this moment to come to Him.

After all, however, even while exercising faith in our heavenly

Advocate, we must mourn over our sluggishness in His

service. Well, therefore, do we accompany our pleading for

deliverance with the supplication-Quicken me! Every

moment's perseverance depends upon this Divine supply.

Blessed be God for the sure warrant of expectation-According

to Your word! Here we shall receive not only the living

principle, but its lively operation; not only the fire to kindle the

lamp, but the oil to feed the flame. For He who is our

Advocate to plead for us, and our Savior to deliver us, is also

our quickening Head, filled with "the residue of the Spirit" to

"revive His work." "You have ascended on high, and have

received gifts for men: yes, for the rebellious also, that the

Lord God might dwell among them." Do we therefore want a

heart to pray, to praise, to believe, to love? Let us only look to

an ascended Savior, sending down the life-giving influence

from above, as the purchase of His blood, and the fruit of His

intercession. Thus will our hope be enlivened, our faith

established, and the graces of the Spirit will abound to the

glory of our God.



by

Charles Bridges

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