If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. (v.19)

I am a stranger on the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me. (Psalm 119:19)

There are many Christians in the world. But I think there are only a few who truly know and love God. I know that there have been many theologians and ministers who were and are loved and praised by people. It is difficult to consider them as strangers on the earth because the world loves them. Anyone who has much fame and money tries to get more. They speak what people want to hear.

When Christ came and spoke truth that frees people, He was hated by people. Many people followed Christ. But there were more people who tried to kill Jesus than those who loved Him. It is still the same today. When we speak truth, we are hated. We are strangers on the earth. This feeling of loneliness is stronger when we are surrounded by people who call themselves Christians.

King David wrote Psalm 119 for the Israelites to hear and sing. He called himself a stranger on the earth. We all are strangers on the earth. David’s greatness is not from his military achievements, wealth, or virtues. God loved him because of Jesus Christ. David followed God wholeheartedly because he came to know God by the power of the Holy Spirit and experienced God’s absolute grace.

As a stranger on the earth, David openly praised God. As a prophet, he spoke and wrote what God told him. We speak of God and His words so that others would come to know God and be saved. Preaching the gospel is God’s will because it saves the elect and also leaves the reprobate without any excuse. We do not go back the way we came in. Therefore, our life is like the wind.

If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. (v. 22)

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so is everyone who has been born of the Spirit. (John 3:8)

Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” And He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on listening, but do not understand; And keep on looking, but do not gain knowledge.’ “Make the hearts of this people insensitive, Their ears dull, And their eyes blind, So that they will not see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, Understand with their hearts, And return and be healed.” (Isaiah 6:8-10)