Psalm 119:113-120

Samekh.

I hate those who are double-minded, but I love Your law. You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word. Depart from me, evildoers, that I may observe the commandments of my God. Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live; and do not let me be ashamed of my hope. Uphold me that I may be safe, that I may have regard for Your statutes continually. You have rejected all those who wander from Your statutes, for their deceitfulness is useless. You have removed all the wicked of the earth like dross; therefore I love Your testimonies. My flesh trembles for fear of You, and I am afraid of Your judgments.^[1]

“I hate those who are double-minded . . .” These are strong words that immediately remind me of the words of James writing about coming to the Lord without unbelief and doubt. The person that approaches God in that manner “is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does” (James 1:6-8). What a tremendously convicting word, especially in a time when believers labor so much in unbelief and doubt when it comes to the Word of God. Look at many the polling companies and note the sad picture they paint of faith in America. Many in the west claim to have faith but then predicate it upon what they can prove or what is deemed acceptable and politically correct.

Faith is not faith if it can definitively proven. Faith believes the impossible. Therefore, when one is willing to be swayed from what they believe in favor of what is acceptable or politically correct they are deemed to be double-minded and good for nothing. The psalmist was familiar with such double-minded individuals, but he himself loved the law. While it might seem implausible to some and improbable to others we must choose to stand firmly upon God’s Word without shame. Where do you stand today?

Dear Lord and Father of us all. Let me never be accused of being double-minded. Despite the mockery and derision of those who see my devotion as foolish, keep me from selfishly giving in to what the populace will accept. Give me the courage to stand upon Your Word regardless of the consequences, and after I have stood, let me stand the more. All of this I ask in the name of Jesus, my Savior, Lord and King. Amen.

^[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Ps 119:113–120.