I Am Not Ashamed

Psalm 119

1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.
46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
75 I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.

Walking in liberty is walking in the way of God. It is understanding that Liberty is a gift from God. It is knowing that God is the giver of knowledge, bounty, and peace. But it is also knowing that God is a God of righteous judgement. Living with God’s gifts and bounty always requires a responsibility. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:” Luke 12:48 Will you SPEAK of God’s testimonies before Kings and not be ashamed?

This is not a declaration that the Psalmist will “believe”, or “know”, or “understand.” It is a declaration of ACTION…

“I WILL SPEAK AND NOT BE ASHAMED!”

We lose this walk toward Liberty because we are unwilling to act, unwilling to declare, unwilling to SPEAK, so generations FORGET. To teach and remember where our Liberty comes from we MUST SPEAK!

Our founders knew this, yet we have forgotten. Listen to the wisdom of Thomas Jefferson:

“The God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?”

Perhaps Jefferson was remarking on the understanding that Liberty as a gift from God requires a sense of responsibility. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

Do you cling to God’s word? Do you seek His understanding? Do you walk after God? If not, then you cannot walk at Liberty. The next question will be, do you know that our God is a God of righteous judgement? Thomas Jefferson knew this; this is what he said:

“Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever.”

I find it no coincidence that our Right to Free Speech is codified in the same Amendment as our Right to Freedom of Religion. As Christians we have a duty to walk at Liberty, to seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness and then we must SPEAK! Today is a day to review my path. What am I walking toward? What makes me ashamed? I should always be walking toward Liberty. I should never be ashamed of the gifts of God.

Here is my prayer from this psalm:
124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.