“Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept Thy testimonies” (Psalm 119:22 KJV). “Reproach and contempt” (119:22) are a legacy of the Righteous. Jeremiah understood that. “For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily” (Jeremiah 20:8). We do not need to seek out reproach or contempt for seeking and keeping God’s Word, for it will come. Vanity Fair seeks to avoid reproach at the cost of the Truth. “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:” (1Peter 4:3-4). Since “a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1), we would pray with the Psalmist, “Remove from me reproach and contempt” (Psalm 119:22). Better to take our case before the Courts of Heaven than to argue our merits before man. C.H. Spurgeon’s Treasury of David cites for Psalm 119:22: “God will keep those who keep his testimonies. A good conscience is the best security for a good name; reproach will not abide with those who abide with Christ, neither will contempt remain upon those who remain faithful to the ways of the Lord.”
Father, may we be willing to bear reproach for Your Name’s sake, but we ask You to clear our name, if we stand “blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation” (Philippians 2:15). In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
We Need A Miracle 