You are near, Lord, and all your commands are true. Long ago I learned from your decrees that you have established them forever. —Psalm 119:151–152
The poet’s focus shifts to God’s presence, which is wrapped up in love, marked by perfect justice, perfect mercy, and perfect peace in a broken world—all part of his presence in heaven and on earth. Closer than the presence of the wicked is the presence of the Lord.
Perhaps you’re reading this, caught awake in your own feverish lament. Let God’s poet remind you that Yahweh is near, and all his promises are true, established since before that very first “in the beginning” (Gen. 1:1). . . . My guess is that there are other saints around the world also awake at your very hour of lament. Let us join our voices, then, in these wee small hours—an earthly chorus of nighttime pleas crying, in their varying circumstances and in their different languages, “Save me.” It is in unison that we find strength to pick up God’s word, and lay down our doubts, fears, enemies, sins, and anxieties at his throne. 2
2 His Testimonies, My Heritage, 2019, K.A. Ellis (Kristie Anyabwile)
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His Testimonies, My Heritage (2019) edited by Kristie Anyabwile, used by kind permission of the Publisher, The Good Book Company. www.thegoodbook.com
Scripture taken from The CSB
Make it Personal
How can you remind yourself that God is with you always, even in the midst of challenges and hardship?