May Your favor also come to me, LORD,
Your salvation according to Your word;
So that I will have an answer for one who taunts me,
For I trust in Your word.
And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
For I wait for Your judgments.
So I will keep Your Law continually,
Forever and ever.
And I will walk at liberty,
For I seek Your precepts.
I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings
And shall not be ashamed.
I will delight in Your commandments,
Which I love.
And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments,
Which I love;
And I will meditate on Your statutes. Psalm 119:41-48
Psalm 119 – Vav talks about telling others about the love of God, even when non-believers make fun of us. Why do we feel afraid to tell others the Good News? Is it because we want to fit in? Is it because we don’t want to be known as “goody two-shoes?” Why are we willing to discuss politics and not the most important subject of our Savior? This is not a new condition of Believers. The Psalmist also struggled with it as well.
The Psalmist must have known what it was like to be made fun of for his belief in the one true God. He asks for God’s favor so that when he speaks about God’s love, he will know how to answer a person who listens in skepticism. Peter also addressed the same issue.
And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who disparage your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. I Peter 3:13-17
The Psalmist goes on to say, that not only will he speak the words of God, but that he will speak them in front of Kings. He will not be daunted when talking about the one true God. He is emboldened by God’s words and ways because he meditates on them day and night. When we need to be bold, God’s words will give us courage.
The Hebrew letter Vav is often translated as and when it is put at the beginning of a word. The ך represents a connection of a higher level with a lower level. It also means hook which is appropriate as it holds two things together. In Hebrew, the idea is that, “if a man is connected above, he doesn’t fall below (Raskin, 2003).”
The ך also represents a nail. This brings to mind Jesus as our connection to God above. Watch the short video for a discussion of the letter ך and Jesus.
Isn’t it so amazing that even the Hebrew alphabet points to God’s Son, Jesus, and His ultimate plan of salvation? This is just another way in which we see God in the little details of life. He has left nothing to chance. He has shown us the way to salvation and our purpose to bring along as many people with us as we can to Heaven. Let’s tell others about the Good News boldly, unafraid and unashamed, because God not only loves us unconditionally, but also those who have never heard His name.
Resources:
Nuyten, J. n.d. Secret of the Hebrew letter Vav. TheLivingWord.org.au. https://www.thelivingword.org.au/grand-design/session24.php. Retrieved on June 6, 2021.
Raskin, A. 2003: Letters of Light. (audio book). Sichos Publishers.
Photo Credit:
https://www.cartoonhebrew.com/vav
