It's sad to see a person claim to be a Christian and be shamed by the enemy all the time. The saved in Jesus should never be a laughing stock of the devil, but an example to the world that God is truly good and knows how to give good things to those who do His will. Although they strive to bear good witness to God's way of treating His children, they can't get out of the tangle of problems that hinder them.

The psalmist's attitude of clinging to the Lord's testimonies serves those who are unsuccessful in their faith and try hard to overcome the world of sadness that surrounds them, for nothing else seems to work. This is probably lacking for those who don't take on and follow biblical ordinances. The rule is to obey God!

One's greatest perversity is to despise the Lord's teaching, as if it were something senseless and meaningless, while acting cruelly towards others. The psalmist showed how to treat the Most High: With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; with a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; with the pure You will show Yourself pure; and with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd (Psalm 18.25-26). The secret is to take what the Most High gives us to improve our actions.

It doesn't matter if a person lives inside the church all the time, sings the hymns with a happy face, speaks about Jesus with emotion and is a good supporter of God's work. If he is rude to his neighbor, he will not be taken care of as he wishes. Jeremiah said: Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place (Jeremiah 7.3). The Israelites didn't mend their ways, and evil overtook them!

The psalmist understood that by holding on to His testimonies, God would not allow him to be put to shame. If we take them on, we won't be humiliated either. Certainly, no harm will come to us. However, if we stop listening to the Lord, our requests will not be granted. The testimonies of the Most High are sent to change our behavior, freeing us from unworthiness!

Following God's teachings is the certainty that His Word will be fulfilled in our lives, as He declared: A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you (Psalm 91.7). There is nothing better than walking according to Heaven's guidance. That way, we will never stumble nor experience people's mockery. Clinging to the Lord's testimonies is victory in advance. Believe it!

The road to success in faith in Christ is simple to follow. So, you must take it and declare as the people said before Joshua: And the people said to Joshua, “The Lord our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey!” (Joshua 24.24). These people became champions, and will you too?

           In Christ with love,

           R. R. Soares