ZA MAGAZINE // seek truth.

Psalm 119:74, 79-80
74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word.
79 Let those who fear you turn to me, that they may know your testimonies.
80 May my heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame!

The presence of the words “me” in verses 74 and 79 is what really made me notice this passage, and it provides some interesting insights. Seeing that little word threw me off, because usually you’d read something like “Those who fear you shall see YOU and rejoice,” and “Let those who fear you turn to YOU!” So to see the psalmist talk about himself made me do a double-take and try to examine what’s going on.

See, the guy who wrote this psalm correctly realizes that he is a representative of God. Not only to the world, but to other believers. I can imagine that whoever the psalmist was, he had some kind of influence as a leader (some say Ezra wrote it) and that people are looking up to him in faith.

Just look at the first two verses! His confidence is unreal! He knows that people who are followers of God can look at his faith and see God in him. He also knows that if people really fear God, they’re going to look to him for guidance because they trust him as a spiritual leader! Isn’t that wild? Try putting your name in place of ‘me.’ Those who fear You shall see Brendan and rejoice. Let those who fear You turn to Brendan.

Does it sound plausible for me? What about your name? Can you think of any name where these would make sense? I can think of one in particular; this guy was saved and had his life totally transformed. I remember the day when his spiritual walk began; now I can say that he very well might have surpassed me (though I don’t feel it appropriate to compare) in terms of what he knows and how he lives. I look at him and I can thank God for His redemptive work!

Anyways, if you can’t put yourself in place of ‘me,’ what do you do? I think the psalmist would suggest getting into the Word a bit more. Being a spiritual leader isn’t about being bred into a position, it isn’t about putting on a show, it isn’t even about trying to be a good leader, at least not in my experience.

To me, spiritual leadership has been all about being the best Christian you can be - and that’s it.

Do you see what the last verse is showing? The psalmist knows he’s vulnerable! He knows he’s not some superhero leader who’s untouchable; rather, he has to pray that his heart would continue to be blameless!

Leaders aren’t better than anyone else. They’re not born that way, they’re not untouchable. They’re simply Christians who have gotten really close with God. The closer they get, the more God uses them. At least that’s been my experience. How do we get closer? Prayer is key, fellowship, outreach, and other interpersonal interactions can help, but in the spirit of being in Psalm 119, I’ve got to encourage you to read your Bibles!

This book is the very words of God assembled in a way that we can grab it and read chunks of it. We only know about God what He’s revealed to us, and in the Bible we see God revealed in ways we’d never know otherwise. How much better off are we than the apostles, who had nothing written to go by when it came to the fledgling faith that they were spreading? Humans forget things so easily, that’s why God has something written down for us!

Read that Word, strive to get closer. Then watch God use you, so that others will see you and rejoice!

Grace and peace,
Brendan