He calls upon the Lord for obedience. Let this be a key to us: We don’t have the power, but God will give it to us for Christ’s sake!

Jesus Christ is the reason that God blesses us; it is because of His work on the cross: God is able to be gracious to sinners and poor saints because of the blood of Calvary. He makes us acceptable, so God can send the Spirit with needed power.

Don’t look to yourself. Don’t try your own strength. Look to Him, call upon Him, and He will help you. He delights to give obedience!

First, here’s what we want: We want to keep God’s testimonies! vs146

“I call to You; save me,
that I may keep Your testimonies.”

Obedience is more important to us than health, wealth, and family. Nothing is more important than God’s commands.

CH Spurgeon said, “Don’t seek after peace first. Seek Christ first. Peace will come next.”

This is how it is with us: We know that OBEYING God will bring every delight to us. We overcome fear, guilt, shame, and depression by obeying the gospel and believing on Him. Walking in love towards our neighbor honors God. These things are good for us and bring the maximum peace, joy, and satisfaction within. We escape death and walk with God.

Be about obedience, and you will live wisely. Get grace to do what God says.

Secondly, justice has been satisfied, so God can give us good. vs149

“Hear my voice, O LORD, according to Your loving devotion;
give me life according to Your justice.”

He can touch the sinner and be holy Himself. He can display the riches of His grace with unsullied hands.

Think upon justice as your friend. He has punished us and promised us in Christ, so He can rightfully give. He welcomes us by faith, which keeps His command. He causes us to do good by hearing our prayer, not evil. All of this works for us, as we pray.

Justice smiles when we ask for the Holy Spirit to obey, peace to honor Him, and love to do good unto others. Therefore, ask, seek, and knock. He will surely give.

Thirdly, God’s commands are true, so hold onto them. vs151

“You are near, O LORD,
and all Your commandments are true.”

His commands are the right way to live, how we should solve problems, and what brings unity [Eph 4:3]. We may want to respond in the flesh - tit for tat - but we are wise to go back to God and get grace to deal graciously. If we answer according to the flesh, then we will harm. If we speak in God’s Spirit, then God is honored and people are helped.

Don’t go in your own wisdom. Do what God says.

Finally, God’s testimonies are eternal and nothing changes them. Vs152

“Long ago I learned from Your testimonies
that You have established them forever.”

All the opposition of men will prove powerless. Jesus Christ reigns supreme, and He’s coming back. He will judge the world in righteousness, and our eternal destinies are tied to obedience.

You live rightly, if you live for Him. Bringing men to Christ has eternal consequences, which is why it is so satisfying and so thrilling. God works with you in things that matter, as you seek the HIGHEST GOOD for your neighbor. Love compels you to rescue the perishing, and God pays you back with food the world doesn’t know [John 4:32]. You are doing things of eternal importance, as you spread the kingdom!

Think on the privilege God’s given you and rejoice.