In this blog, we have followed our Psalm 119 psalmist as he wades through a world at enmity with his God. Through all the disagreements, he has faced slander (Daleth), personal attack (Tet/Teth), and even the isolation of betrayal (Kaph).
Today, we have yet another example of today’s social-media-fed “herd mentality.” This time, against a faithful proclaimer of God’s truth, and from within the Church.
Without knowing the controversy, I listened as I often do to Alistair Begg’s YouTube channel (Alistair Begg). I gradually learned of this through his response to allegations of supposed endorsement of the LGBTQ+ agenda. In this response, he explained that he informally counseled a concerned grandmother to consider attending her grandaughter’s same-sex marriage ceremony with the intent of encouraging an attitude of love above sin.
One could only imagine the grief and pain that Pastor Begg was, and still is, going through because of a public response to a private counseling conversation. Perhaps some people are confused and afraid. Perhaps many are hearing about it for the first time. Everyone has their own angle of concern at such a time. Everyone has their “Job’s friends.” It is good to remember that they truly were his friends both before and after Job’s ordeal.
Why Weigh In?: Alistair Begg and Psalm 119
I venture cautiously here. That is because, admittedly, I am not qualified to speak as accurately as I might. I don’t know Pastor Begg personally, and I don’t know this grandmother personally. I have not heard the pastoral staff’s or the congregation’s concerns specifically. All these disqualifiers should give me pause in offering condemnation or support as a mere outside observer.
However, since there are correlations in this now-public situation with our beleaguered psalmist, I feel it appropriate to point us all to Psalm 119 to see just how our scriptures do come alive in our world today. To that end, I offer my notes from Alistair Begg’s thoughtful two-part sermon on Psalm 119: “Expositions on Psalm 119″ Part I and Part II.
No One Untouched
Topics of sin (of all kinds) meet us day to day in our families, our friends, our neighbors, our fellow church members, and our co-workers. We are none of us untouched by these matters.
Recently in my church’s small group we had a discussion about this very issue and we had a variety of angles, depending on our personal proximity to it. But it was a healthy discussion and we could all find common ground with both God’s unchangeable Word and His Perfect Love for His sinful children.
Love must contrast the darkness. It is good to remember that for love to be a light, it must contrast the darkness. God’s Love does not dismantle the Law (indeed not!). God’s love stands in firmly within the Law (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). The Law of God (a constant love-theme of Psalm 119) is a picture story of God’s holiness, without which there would be no love at all!
But God’s love has gone further! God’s law of love (to love God purely and to love others as “thyself”) has conquered the power of the Law to condemn us to eternal destruction. Without the cross of Christ, we would ALL be condemned!
Where did we come to know Christ while we were yet sinners? It would be a good time to consider our “first love” and to return to Him in all humility and freshness of soul. I am right there with you!
Jesus identified Himself this way: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6), “I am the Light of the World” (John 8:12; also, importantly, 1 John 1:5-10). God is Love (1 John 4:7-21).
“What would Jesus’ love have me do”?
YOD (Psalm 119:73-80)
73Your hands made me and formed me;
give me understanding to learn your commands.
74May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
for I have put my hope in your word.
75I know, LORD, that your laws are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant.
77Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
78May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
but I will meditate on your precepts.
79May those who fear you turn to me,
those who understand your statutes.
80May I whole heartedly follow your decrees,
that I may not be put to shame. (NIV)
“9Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And such were some of you. BUT!... you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
(1 Corinthians 6:9-11 English Standard Version, emphasis my own).
Praise to the God of all mercy and comfort!
©ReadPsalm119.com. PHOTO: ”Storm clouds” by ReadPsalm119.com.
Sources:
Begg, Alistair. “Compassion vs. Condemnation.” Alistair Begg, YouTube,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2bmFuA40T4. Accessed 30 January, 2024.
