Okay. Just off the top of your head; can you quote Psalm 119:105? More than likely you can. It is probably the most well known and loved of all the Psalm 119 verses; it and verse 11.
Verse 105 reads,
"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path" (NIV).
The path of life is fraught with many challenges and to move forward, to overcome, its a "must" to have the word of God to illuminate and show us the way over, under, through and/or around the obstacles so we can place our feet firmly and confidently on to our next step.
Then there is the case of 'the oaths'. Such serious things and I don't mean the foul language oaths. No way! I'm talking formal promises made in front of a judge, magistrate, congregation and/or a pastor, that involves putting it in writing and signing with witnesses, and public declarations.
Similarly, as the Psalmist did. He declared he had,
"...taken an oath and confirmed it" (v. 106).
Not sure what the legalese is here with that couplet, but in my mind its verbally declaring, then the "signing and sealing"; double assurance that it will be done as stated.
This person of the Psalm's pen, was showing his genuine and serious intention to follow God's righteous laws. This is so very commendable. It was not something done lightly.
What vows have we each committed to? There are many kinds. Most likely think of wedding vows. Then there's oaths taken in court to "tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth"; there's oaths to utter when being sworn in to becoming a citizen of some other country other than your own land of birth. They make you promise on the Bible or some book of religion to show you really mean what you say in the sight of God, or the tenets of their respective beliefs.
Words come cheap though. Easy to promise but not easy to keep. The psalmist said he "suffered much" and then asked the LORD to "preserve his life" (v. 107). When the going gets tough, we often "suffer much". Thus, the call to "preserve his life", I imagine, as we too, may feel.
You know, take marriage for a capital example. That couple has no idea what they're vowing to. Oh, most think they know, but, well,...they "suffer much" in this unbreakable league of friendship (that's an expression I read somewhere that seem aptly apropos here).
You see, there's this saying about marriage where some people hint that it is a three-ring circus. They say,
"First, there's the engagement ring.
Second, there's the wedding ring.
Third, there's the suffer ring"*
Such suffering, for example, comes cuz they didn't know there were actually SIX people tying the knot that day, not TWO! That's what my Daddy used to like to say.
Of course I didn't want to listen to that "nonsense" but there seems to be some truth in it.
First, there's the person which each of the 'halves' believes themselves to be; that's two. Then, who she thinks he is, and who he thinks she is; that's four. Lastly, who they each really are; that's six. So you can see quite a confusion in the fusion of "thinks". The shock of discovery can come rather soon on the heels of the sound of the lilting, "I do's" that are wafted into the air.
And so they "suffer much" as they wrestle their thoughts into the compelled new line of thinking. This requires that please, "preserve my life" prayer if they wish to persevere and uphold those oaths that they had "taken and confirmed".
Sounds like a dim view of marriage but I believe that many vows or decisions people take have hidden elements that one could not ever foresee. It's impossible to know all the implications of even good things like marriage; or taking your aging parents into your home to care for; or deciding to do full time mission work in a foreign land. One will never know the extent of such "oaths".
The psalmist points in the right direction with his call to the LORD to "preserve his life" and to "accept his praise." He knew great extenuating circumstances even in his kingship role. It was not a bed of roses.
As we emerge through a bout of "suffer much" or even as we navigate through it, "willing praise" is an antidote to frustration, anger, despair and etc. This, I believe, the psalmist was trying to tell us.
Here's a little poem about affliction from a binder of "Notes and Jottings" my father collected over the years. The author is unknown.
"Affliction is but for a moment.
But after its purpose is wrought
The Blessing will go on forever
The fruit that trial has brought."
In addition to praise, ask the LORD to teach you His ways.
Oh Father God, we, Your children, cry out to You. Only You know the full extent of our individual oaths and how each one suffers. Indeed, we echo the words of the psalmist, "preserve our lives". Thank-You so much for that, we have every confidence in You, knowing You will come to our aid, and for Your written word that we can read, meditate upon, consider and obey. Help us to focus on You through thick and thin. May Your words be the joy of our hearts, triggering more willing praise.
When the evil one sets a snare before us to hurt, hinder and harm us, to dissuade us from keeping our oaths; again, may none of us "stray from Your precepts". May our hearts be steadfast in You and Your words with the strong mind of keeping them to the very end.
Father, I know that in this very fallen world, these oaths do get broken and cause other untold "suffer much-es". We are so sad and sorry this happens. We know that in the end, You will comfort those who have been the injured parties. Help them overcome, Father, and bring them an avenue of joy for their hearts.
For the others, like the psalmist, may we be as determined and say as emphatically,
"I have taken an oath and confirmed it, I will follow Your righteous laws" (v. 106),
which give...
"...light to our path".
May there be joy in the hearts despite the "suffer much" oaths.
~ERC August 2020~
Based on Psalm 119:105-112 (Nun)
Sing, Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) along with the Hillsong folks.
*Reference:
Michael Hodges in 1001 More Humorous Illustrations for Public Speaking
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