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WREST NOT GOD’S WORD
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20
Psalm 119:156-157

1 Corinthians 15:58

 

“…be ye stedfast, unmoveable,
always abounding

in the work of the Lord…”

 

WREST NOT GOD’S WORD
 
The word “decline” (Ps 119:157) means “to wrest,” i.e. to twist the meaning of a word, or to deflect so as to give a different interpretation to favour the reader. Peter says that the unlearned and unstable will “wrest” (2 Pet 3:16) to their harm.
 
Great are His tender mercies: Some readers force a meaning which departs from the nuance of the word to suit their understanding. This must be avoided. God’s tender loving care should prevent the believer from an unfaithful interpretation of His words. The psalmist acknowledges how God cherishes him with such care (like a foetus in the mother’s womb) that he dares not misrepresent His Word. The believer must plead to be preserved and strengthened to fulfil and do God’s bidding rather than change the meanings of God’s words.
 
Many are the persecutors and enemies: These are the reasons why the psalmist promises not to decline from God’s Word. The persecutors are after him in a very hostile manner. They hunt him down, putting him to flight to seek a safer place. He flees from them because he is full of anguish and distressed by their wiles which are of the devil. They are not few, but many. They search for him as if they are after a criminal. They are backed up by armies ready to destroy him. Yet, the psalmist fears God the most. He would rather be under his enemies’ hands than wrest with God’s Word which will cost him more. The destruction that he will suffer from God’s wrath if he wrests with His Word is eternal, and far greater than his sufferings under human persecutors.
 
There are Christians today who fear man rather than God. They wrest God’s Word to please people and to avoid persecution. Be aware that the consequence from God is far worse than the sufferings caused by man. Dear reader, God has already shown you tender mercy and loving care. Do not abuse His goodness. More fearful is the mighty hand of God than the cruelest persecutor on earth.
 
THOUGHT: Do I wrest God’s Word to please man?
PRAYER: Father, help me to be faithful in the interpretation of Thy Word and declare it without compromise.

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