Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Adult Sunday School Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/bb/bb19980927.htm

PSALMS: DIARIES OF GODLY OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS
Psalm One Hundred And Nineteen (Yodh) - Responding Effectively When Being Wrongfully Misrepresented
(Psalm 119: 73-80)
  1. Introduction
    1. If one is trusted, stating his beliefs or opinions is easy. However, if an opponent tries to undermine one's credibility so that his hearers wonder if he tells the truth, that is much harder! The question comes: "How are we supposed to testify effectively when our position or credibility is being errantly misrepresented?"
    2. Psalm 119:73-80 offers direction in using Scripture to handle such a difficulty as follows:
  2. Responding Effectively When Being Wrongfully Misrepresented, Psalm 119:73-80.
    1. The psalmist reveals that he is being unjustly misrepresented by others, Ps. 119:78a.
    2. He shows how he responds victoriously to this challenge as follows:
      1. Step One - The afflicted one understands that God's permissive will has let this trial occur, Ps. 119:75.
      2. Step Two - Having done that, the psalmist then fans his faith in God into flame, Ps. 119:73, 76-77.
        1. He recalls that God knows how much he can take as God is his Creator, Ps. 119:73. Accordingly, he requests discernment from God to think clearly, cf. a similar passage in 1 Peter 4:19.
        2. He then depends on God's loyal love (chesed) to him to fulfill His promises regarding the trial, v. 76.
        3. He expects God to reveal compassion toward him so that he can remain mentally vibrant, 119:77.
      3. Step Three - The psalmist then decides to be blameless in his use of God's Word so that he will avoid being ashamed as events unfold in the crisis at hand, Ps. 119:80.
    3. As a result of reacting to his being misrepresented this way, the Psalmist enumerates the final outcome:
      1. The ungodly are put to shame as God fulfills His promises to the afflicted, misrepresented psalmist, Ps. 119:78a. This occurs as the godly man meditates on Scripture, Ps. 119:78b.
      2. Other godly people rejoice to see the psalmist trust in God's Word (119:74) and come over to the side of the psalmist when God reveals the truth about what is being misrepresented, Ps. 119:79.
Lesson: If we are afflicted by being misrepresented, by suffering malignment of good character or deed, our response ought (1) NOT be to attack the opponent as we only add suspicion to our reputation that is in question. Rather, (2) we should ACCE PT the trial as part of God's PERMITTED assignment, and (3) bolster our faith: we do this by (a) entrusting the preservation of our nerves with God Who created us and knows what we can and cannot handle, (b) by depending upon and meditating upon God's prom ises regarding the trial's outcome and victory for us and (c) by looking for God's gifts of compassion expressions to us that encourage us. (4) With our faith in God and His Word thus bolstered, we must decide to be EXACT in how we USE Scripture if we wish to avoid being shamed in confrontations with our opponent(s). (5) GOD will then (a) put the unjust opponent to shame as the facts come out, and (b) cause fellow godly supporters to rejoice in our godly faith and trust our credibility in spite of the chall enge against it through the malignment.

Application: (1) When it is impossible to be a godly witness because someone misrepresents the godly some way, challenging his reputation, it is GOD Who must come to the godly man's aid as his CREDIBILITY directly affects GOD'S WILL for his life an d ministry! Thus, the godly man thus maligned must leave even his REPUTATION in the hands of God and not try to protect it in ways that foolishly depend on the sin nature and give Satan an opportunity to sway opinions in favor of his malinger (cf. Rev. 12: 9-10). (2) We can conclude that one reason GOD allows one's reputation to be challenged is to get that person to submit even his reputation to God for safekeeping, thereby causing his faith in GOD to grow! (3) It also becomes apparent that it is worth bei ng GODLY to enjoy God's PROTECTION from slander!