LET NOTHING STOP YOU –

The young psalmist who wrote this psalm, feels it’s time to bring his saga to an end. He is hoping that the readers will appreciate all the difficult times he’s been through; that they will understand how fiercely he battled with doubts and confusion, but how that made him hold on even tighter to the principles and promises that God gave him to study and learn as a stronger believer than he was when he started journey. He also hopes everyone can gain understanding from his clashes with detractors and opponents who tried to convince him that he had chosen the wrong road in achieving success in life. Yes, it slowed him down on occasions, but he never let it stop him or cause him to consider quitting. Instead, it drove him to his knees again and again in search of God’s blessed assurance.

“The authority are trying to put a stop to my cause for no reason, but my heart remains in awe of Your counsel. For me, I have as much excitement in Your promise as someone would who just discovered a huge hidden treasure. I not only detest lying, I hate it; but I’m deeply in love with Your Teachings.

All day long I find myself praising You for providing Your guidance. There is an abiding peace that comes to those who love and obey Your Teachings, because it removes stumbling-blocks in their path.

That’s why I don’t plan to give up, O LORD Eternal, as I continue to be guided by Your commandments.

I plan to hold Your instructions in high esteem, because I love them very, very much. Yes, Your guidelines and instructions will lead me all the way, because You notice everything I do.”

“Let my plea touch Your heart, O LORD Eternal, that through Your advice I will receive greater understanding. Let my prayer reach Your ear; because I believe in what You promised me. Let my my lips pour out praise to You, because You’ve taught me Your principles for living, Let my tongue sing about Your promise; for all Your commandments are true and perfect. Let Your hand remain outstretched to me, because I’ve chosen to live by your guidelines. Let me long for the day You come to my rescue, O LORD Eternal; and Your Teachings prove to be the greatest blessing in my life. Let me live to celebrate You; for Your guidance is what kept me on the right path. Although I may stray like a lost lamb; searched for Your servant; because I’m still holding on to Your commandments.” Psalm 119:161-176

Reflection: As a result of her voluntary work to improve poor sanitary conditions in war camps during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln invited Julia Howe and her husband to Washington, D.C., to say thanks. One night the Howe’s visited a Union Army camp in Virginia across the Potomac River, and heard the men singing a song in honor of slain slave abolitionist, John Brown. When she woke up the next morning it was overcast outside, and the melody that these men sang continued to resonate in her head. She was so inspired that she sat down and wrote new lyrics for the same melody. In so doing, she created a new anthem for her people to sing: “He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat; He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat; Oh, be swift my soul, to answer Him! Be jubilant, my feet, our God is marching on. Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah! Our God is marching on.” The psalmist shares the same feelings about his spiritual battle, and the fact that he too wanted the war to be over. He felt that he fought a good fight, he kept the faith, and he finished the course by remaining faithful and loyal. In Julia Howe and the Psalmist we have beautiful examples of how they saw the battle between right and wrong; between good ideas and bad as a possibility for truth to conquer and prevail. So in the midst of our spiritual conflicts, why not join them in a chorus of triumph, knowing God and His Word will win out in the end. Julia Howe said that God was marching on; the Psalmist said that with God’s help he would keep marching on; so let us join them in marching forward with God.