September 2014

"Before the Watches of the Night…"

September 30, 2014

“Before the Watches of the Night…”

Blessings folk!

The next stanza...

Psalm 119:145-148
Qoph
145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!     I will keep your statutes. 146 I call to you; save me,     that I may observe your testimonies. 147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;     I hope in your words. 148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,     that I may meditate on your promise.

The intensity of the Psalmist’s cry unto the Lord increases.
“With my whole heart I cry”…

He cried out for an answer.
He cried out for rescue.

He arose early to do so...before the watches of the night ceased.
He would not spend time upon sleep.

Note the determination…
I cry…
I will keep your statutes…
I call to you…
I rise before dawn…
I hope in Your Words…
I arise early to meditate upon Your Promise.
I desire to observe Your testimonies.

In the midst of persecution, trials and troubles the Psalmist sought the Lord.
How do we respond in like situation?


"Forever…"

September 29, 2014

“Forever…”

Blessings folk!

Today we encounter a word that we take for granted.
It appears often in the Word.
We know what it means, yet, we rarely think through the ramifications.

Forever...

Psalm 119:142-144
142 Your righteousness is righteous forever,
    and your law is true.
143 Trouble and anguish have found me out,
    but your commandments are my delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever;
    give me understanding that I may live.


The Lord’s Law if true.
The Lord’s commandments are the delight of the Psalmist.

The Lord’s Law, commandments, testimonies, etc. are righteous...forever.

Though trouble and anguish may find us, as they did the Psalmist, we can delight in the everlasting Word of the Lord.

Forever
This is “how long” the Righteousness of the Lord exist.

Forever
The length of time that the Word of the Lord will prevail.

Give close attention to the Word “forever” in the Scripture.
Much clarity will be gained and gleaned.

Many of the divisions in understandings in the Body of Christ arise among us because we do not pay attention to the Word “forever”.

God’s covenant with Israel is forever...that gives insight into what occurs with Israel now and the last days.

The Lord tells us about “new heaven” and “new earth” that are forever. That has some interesting connotations.
We are kept in the Lord, forever.

Rejoice!
And watch “forever” in the Scripture…

"Small and Despised…"

September 28, 2014

“Small and Despised…”

Blessings folk!

Do you ever feel small?
Insignificant?
Unimportant.

Can you believe the Psalmist felt that way? He viewed himself as small and despised...as he may well have been at that time.
What do you think his response was? Happy

Psalm 119:139-141
139 My zeal has consumed me,
Because my adversaries have forgotten Your words.
140 Your word is very pure,
Therefore Your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised,
Yet I do not forget Your precepts.


He did not forget the precepts of the Lord.
Trusting in the Word is the default position of the Psalmist.
It should be ours also.

Zeal had consumed him because his adversaries had forgotten His words.
Zeal for the Word.
Zeal for the Lord.
He loved the Word of the Lord.
The Word is very pure...no deceit, no deception, no lie, nothing but good.

When the “feelings” of the evil one press against you, turn to the Word of the Lord.
Forget not His precepts.
Oh yeah….that would mean that we know the precepts of the Lord.

Sadly, most professing believers know little, if any, of the Word of God.

Such need not be…

"Righteous"

September 27, 2014

“Righteous”

Blessings folk!

A new stanza.
A basic truth that we often take for granted...

Psalm 119:137-138
Tsadhe
137 Righteous are you, O Lord,     and right are your rules. 138 You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness     and in all faithfulness.

The Lord is Righteous.
Not only does He “do right”, He is the epitome of “Right”.
There is no wrong in Him.
There is no mistake.
What does “righteous” mean?
Morally correct? Yes.
Virtuous? Yes.
One word describes the Lord...
Holy.
Without sin.

The Lord is Righteous, Holy, Perfect, Without defect.
Therefore, His rules are right.
They could not be anything else.

These testimonies, commandments, precepts, etc. that we have seen are appointed by the Most High in righteousness and faithfulness.

The Lord is Righteous.
The Lord is Faithful.
Faithful in Truth.
Faithful in Holiness.

Therefore, when we learn the Truth of the Lord, we can know that it is Good.
Righteous.
Faithful is the Lord.

We are called to live in like manner.

This is only possible through the Most High empowering.
He does so in True Believers.
The Holy Spirit dwells within us.
All other ways are false and will fail.
Choose today.





"Turn to Me…"

September 26, 2014

“Turn to Me…”

Blessings folk!

As you have likely thought, Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. Happy

Psalm 119:132-136
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
    as is your way with those who love your name.
133 Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
    and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from man's oppression,
    that I may keep your precepts.
135 Make your face shine upon your servant,
    and teach me your statutes.
136 My eyes shed streams of tears,
    because people do not keep your law.


Hear the acts of the Lord.

He is gracious...to those who love His name.
He will keep our steps steady…according to His Promise.
He will protect us from iniquity having dominion over us...if we trust in Him.
He will redeem us from man’s oppression...so that we may keep His precepts.
He will make His face shine upon us...His servants.
He will teach us His statutes.

Why would we choose any other way?
The Psalmist cried in sorry because people rejected the Law and the way of the Lord.

Today, keep in the forefront of your thoughts that which the Lord has done and what He is doing for us.

It will keep the mind stayed on Him.

"Light, Understanding"

September 25, 2014

“Light, Understanding”

Blessings folk!

The Psalmist continues to state his longing for the Word of the Lord.
You have noticed the length of this Psalm?
The continuing outpouring of declaration and requests related to the Word.

Psalm 119:129-131
129 Your testimonies are wonderful;     therefore my soul keeps them. 130 The unfolding of your words gives light;     it imparts understanding to the simple. 131 I open my mouth and pant,     because I long for your commandments.

The Psalmist again declares the truth that the testimonies of the Lord are wonderful.
Because of this, his soul keeps them, he longs for them.
He literally had physical responses to the Word...panting, inhaling, exhaling.

Note what the testimonies...the Word...the commandments do.
The Word gives light.
The Word imparts understanding to the simple.

There ya go.
Light.
Understanding.

So many seek for the “profound”, the “deep”, the “hidden”.

If we seek the Word of the Lord, He will reveal that which He wants each to know.
Then, we can rejoice as the Psalmist.

Do not get distracted as many do.
Simply read, learn, seek, know the Word of the Lord and watch what He does.
May our souls...the seat of our emotions...keep the Word.
May we allow the Word to illuminate all we do.
May we long for the Word of the Lord.

"It Is Time…"

September 24, 2014

“It Is Time…”

Blessings folk!

Note how the cry of the Psalmist intensifies.
Note what he declares.
Note what he requests/states.

Psalm 119:124-128
124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
    and teach me your statutes.
125 I am your servant; give me understanding,
    that I may know your testimonies!
126 It is time for the Lord to act,
    for your law has been broken.
127 Therefore I love your commandments
    above gold, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
    I hate every false way.


The Psalmist ask the Lord to deal with him according to the Lord’s steadfast love.
He wanted the Lord to teach him His statutes. A repeated requests.
He declares that he is the servant of the Lord.

The Psalmist wanted to know the statutes of the Lord.
He wanted to understand the statutes.
He wanted to know the Lord’s testimonies
He loved the commandments of the Lord...more than any gold.
He knew that the precepts of the Lord are right, therefore, he hated all false ways.

We see the emotion and the intensity of the moment when the Psalmist declares that it is time for the Lord to act.
Not because of what was occurring to the Psalmist, though he did seek relief.
But, because the law of the Lord had been broken.

This is esteem in which the Psalmist held the Word of the Lord.
Do we do likewise?
Do we live our lives according to the precepts of the Lord?
If not, why not?



"Oppressors"

September 23, 2014

“Oppressors”

Blessings Folk!

Psalm 119:121-123
Ayin
121 I have done what is just and right;     do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Give your servant a pledge of good;     let not the insolent oppress me.
123 My eyes long for your salvation     and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.

It is clear that the Psalmist was trusting in the Lord.
It is also clear that the oppression, the persecution, the attack was intense.

He cried to the Lord to leave him not to the oppressors.
He cried to the Lord that the oppression would stop.
He longed for the salvation of the Lord.
He longed for the fulfillment of the righteous promise of God.

He declared that he had done was just and right.

Still, in the midst, he declared the truth...and rested on the timing of the Lord.

There are those who seek to oppress us.
Some from without - outside the Body of Christ.
Some from within - the tares that think they are of the Body, yet are of the evil one.

We must speak the Truth.
We must rest in Truth.
We must stand in Truth.

I’m reminded of the passage in Ephesians...stand firm...and having done all to stand, stand!



"I Am Afraid…"

September 22, 2014

“I Am Afraid…”

Blessings folk!

Is there fear in your life?
Many professing believers are consumed with fear...with anxiety.
There is but One that we are to fear.
We are not to fear the evil one.
We are not to fear man.
We are not to fear circumstance.
We are to fear the Most High God.

The Psalmist reveals why.

Psalm 119:118-120
118 You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,
    for their cunning is in vain.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,
    therefore I love your testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of you,
    and I am afraid of your judgments.

The Psalmist states that his flesh trembles for fear of the Lord.
He feared His judgments.

But, the Psalmist has repeatedly stated that he loves the testimonies, commandments, precepts, statutes, law, instruction, et. al. of the Lord.

Verse 19 states that “therefore I love Your testimonies.”
Therefore?

“Therefore” = considering what has been said…

The Lord spurns all who go astray from His statutes.
The Lord discards the wicked of the earth like dross.

Remember, the Psalmist was undergoing persecution from the wicked.
He rested in the Lord.
He reminded himself in a multitude of ways that it is the Word of the Lord that brings strength, understanding, peace, joy…
May we remember.
May we live so.



"Uphold Me..."

September 21, 2014

“Uphold Me…”

Blessings fol

Psalm 119:116-117
116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,
    and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
117 Hold me up, that I may be safe
    and have regard for your statutes continually!

What upholds you?
What sustains you?
In what do you trust?

If you trust in your ability…
If you trust in circumstance…
If you trust in anything other than the Most High…

Then, you will miss the life of the Kingdom.

The Psalmist reveals that we are upheld/sustained by the promise of the Lord.
It is in Him that we live.
It is in Him that we hope.

The Psalmist petitioned the Lord to hold him up…
That he would be safe…
That he would continue to have regard for the Lord’s statutes…
That he would not be put in shame because his hope was in the Lord.

A true believers hope in all situations is in the Lord.
Anything else is deception.



"Double-Minded"

September 20, 2014

“Double-Minded”

Blessings folk!

Another stanza...

Psalm 119:113-115
Samekh
113 I hate the double-minded,     but I love your law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield;     I hope in your word.
115 Depart from me, you evildoers,     that I may keep the commandments of my God.

How correct the Psalmist is.
The “double-minded” actions are to be hated.
Those of vain thoughts.

So many professing believers are double-minded.
They profess faith and obedience to the Most High, but their actions reveal otherwise.
Such is pervasive within the organizational church.
Bold lies.
Back-biting.
Gossip.
Slander.
Etc.

We are to despise such.

We are to do what the Psalmist did…

  • Love the law of the Lord.
  • Hope in the Word of the Lord
  • Hide in the Lord
  • Depend upon the Lord as our Shield
  • Keep the commandments of the Lord

May the evil doers depart from us.
May the deceive repent and show fruit of repentance.




"I Hold My Life…"

September 19, 2014

“I Hold My Life…”

Blessings folk!

Psalm 119:109-112
109 I hold my life in my hand continually,
    but I do not forget your law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me,
    but I do not stray from your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever,
    for they are the joy of my heart.
112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes
    forever, to the end.

The times were difficult for the Psalmist.
His life was threatened continually.
The wicked had laid a snare for him.

The Psalmist’s response?
To forget not the law of the Lord.
To stray not from the precepts of the Lord.
To rejoice in his heart over the testimonies of the Lord.
To acknowledge that the testimonies of the Lord are his heritage...forever.
To incline his heart to perform the statutes of the Lord...forever...to the end.

End of what.
This corporeal existence.
But, beyond.

Trust in the Lord.
He will never fail.



"A Lamp to My Feet…"

September 18, 2014

“A Lamp to My Feet…”

Blessings folk!

A new stanza in Psalm 119.
A very familiar verse...105.
Note the immediate context.
Remember the overall previous context.

Psalm 119:105-108
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
    to keep your righteous rules.
107 I am severely afflicted;
    give me life, O Lord, according to your word!
108 Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,
    and teach me your rules.

The Word of God lights our path.
It illumines our way.
Anything other lighting will lead to destruction.

The Psalmist had sworn an oath to keep the righteous rules of the Lord.
He had confirmed this oath...by his actions.

We learn more of the Psalmist’s circumstances.
He was severely afflicted.
He cried out to the Lord to give him life.
He based this cry upon the Word of the Lord...the Promises of the Lord…the Precepts of the Lord...etc.

He then cries out to the Lord to accept his freewill offerings of praise.
Not the offerings of the Law.
Not mandated offerings.
Freewill.
Praise of the heart.

He continues to ask the Lord to teach him.

Do we respond in this manner in times of affliction and trial?
Do we cry to the Lord for life?
Do we seek for more teaching and understanding from the Lord?
Most within the professing Body of Christ do not.
They complain.
They walk away.
They give greater attention to the circumstance (this is idolatry) than they do God.

May we not do so.




"Understanding…"

September 17, 2014

“Understanding…”

Blessings folk!

Where do you learn understanding?
How do you gain understanding?

The Psalmist has repeatedly proclaimed the wonder and glory of the Word of the Lord.
He continues…

Psalm 119:101-104
101 I hold back my feet from every evil way,
    in order to keep your word.
102 I do not turn aside from your rules,
    for you have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
    sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through your precepts I get understanding;
    therefore I hate every false way.

The Psalmist tells us that it is through the precepts of the Lord that we gain understanding.
So many within the professing body of Christ do not have understanding.
They do not know the precepts of the Lord.
They actually refuse to learn the truths of the Lord.

Let us not be so.
Be as the Psalmist.
Hold back our feet from every evil way...to keep His Word
Turn not aside from His rules...He has taught us.
Rejoice in the sweet Word of the Most High in our mouths.
Hate every false way.

Thus is the life of the Kingdom manifest.
Do we live this way?


"My Meditation…"

September 16, 2014

“My Meditation…”

Blessings folk!

Another stanza of Psalm 119 - “mem”

Psalm 119:97-100
Mem
97 Oh how I love your law!     It is my meditation all the day.
98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,     for it is ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,     for your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the aged,     for I keep your precepts.


The Psalmist loves the law of the Lord.
Do you?
Do you love the precepts, commandments, instructions, etc. of the Lord?
They are “for our good”.
They are truth.

The Psalmist meditated upon the law of the Lord.
Not just “now and then”.
He did so all day long.
Not just during a “devotional time”.
All day.
Every day.
Every breath.

Look at the fruit of this pursuit.
- Wiser than enemies...for His commandments are with us.
- More understanding than all our teachers.
- Understand more than the aged...due to keeping the precepts of the Lord.

It is in knowing and keeping the precepts of the Lord that we will gain wisdom, understanding and strength.

Anything else will fail.

"Precepts of the Lord"

September 15, 2014

“Precepts of the Lord”

Blessings folk!

Psalm 119:92-96
92 If your law had not been my delight,
    I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
    for by them you have given me life.
94 I am yours; save me,
    for I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
    but I consider your testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,
    but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

The affliction that the Psalmist experienced was so intense he declares that he would have perished - if not for the Law of the Lord.

The Law of the Lord was his delight.

The Psalmist continues to declare…

  • I will not forget your precepts…by them life was given
  • I am yours
  • I have sought your precepts
  • I consider your testimonies
  • I have seen a limit to all that the world says is perfect

Note what we learn of God’s law/precepts/commandments/testimonies
  • Delight
  • Support in affliction
  • Give life
  • Save us
  • Exceedingly broad

The Psalmist cries for the Lord to save Him.
So should we.

When the wicked lie in wait...consider the testimonies of the Lord.
When afflicted...delight in the law of the Lord.
Seek the precepts of the Lord.
Do not forget the precepts of the Lord.
Learn the precepts of the Lord.

"All Things Are Your Servants"

September 14, 2014

“All Things Are Your Servants”

Blessings folk!

Another stanza...

Psalm 119:89-91
Lamedh.
89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations; You established the earth, and it stands.
91 They stand this day according to Your ordinances, For all things are Your servants.

The Word of the Lord is Truth.
The Word of the Lord is “final”.

Note how the Psalmist said the word of the Lord was settled in heaven forever.

The Lord is faithful forever...throughout all generations.

The Lord established the earth...and the heavens.

The Psalms have much to say about creation...how it happened and what God continues to do.

Here we learn that the heavens and the earth stand according to the ordinances of the Lord.

He designed.
He executed.
Creation stands.

All things serve Him.
All things of creation.

Think on that.
Now, do we serve Him?

"Give Me Life…"

September 13, 2014

“Give Me Life…”

Blessings folk!

We learn more of the intensity of the affliction of the Psalmist.

Psalm 119:85-88
85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
    they do not live according to your law.
86 All your commandments are sure;
    they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
87 They have almost made an end of me on earth,
    but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 In your steadfast love give me life,
    that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

The insolent had dug pitfalls for him.
They were seeking ways to entrap him.
They persecuted him with lies
They did not live according to the Law of the Lord.
They had almost made an end of him.

The Psalmist cries out to the Lord for help.
The Psalmist reminds the Lord that he has not forsaken the Lord’s precepts.

He desired to keep the testimonies of the Lord.
Yet, the only way he could do so is for the Lord, through His steadfast love, to give him life.

So it is with us.
The Lord is our life.
Fear not.

"How Long…?"

September 12, 2014

“How Long…?”

Blessings folk!

The next stanza.
The Psalmist was experiencing trials...persecution...affliction...attack of an enemy.
He was “bearing up” and standing firm in the Word of the Lord.
We have seen him declare this.
Yet.
He wondered.
How long?
How long Lord until you judge those who persecute?
How long must we endure?

Psalm 119:81-84
Kaph
81 My soul longs for your salvation;     I hope in your word.
82 My eyes long for your promise;     I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,     yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84 How long must your servant endure?
When will you judge those who persecute me?

The Psalmist longed for the salvation...the rescue of the Lord.
Still, he placed his hope in the Word of the Lord.
That the Lord was faithful, merciful, full of lovingkindness and would not abandon.

The Psalmist longed for the promise of the Lord.
To rescue.
To comfort.

The Psalmist had become as a “wineskin in the smoke” or “bottle in the smoke” (KJV).
He was all but invisible.
None heeded.
None paid attention, save for the enemy that sought harm.
Yet.
He had not forgotten the statutes of the Lord.

How long must we endure?
When will the Lord judge the persecutors?

The same question was asked by the martyrs under the altar at the opening of the fifth seal in Revelation...

Revelation 6:9-10
9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne.
10 They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”


Hear the answer of the Lord…

Revelation 6:11
11 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.


Given a white robe.
They were saved.
They were washed in the Blood.

They were told to rest a little longer.
Be patient.
Until?

Until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete.
Who were to be killed as they had.

They were/are to rest in their salvation.
There would be more martyred.

God knows how many.
God knows when.
God knows the timing of all.

May we rest and trust in Him.



"Arrogant…"

September 11, 2014

“Arrogant…”

Blessings folk!

Psalm 119: 78-80
78 May the arrogant be ashamed, for they subvert me with a lie;
But I shall meditate on Your precepts.
79 May those who fear You turn to me,
Even those who know Your testimonies.
80 May my heart be blameless in Your statutes,
So that I will not be ashamed.


We have seen that the Psalmist was being persecuted/attacked/etc. by the unrighteous/wicked.

Here he calls them “the arrogant” and calls for them to be ashamed.
They had lied about him.
They had sought to subvert him.

But the Psalmist chose to meditate upon the Precepts of the Lord.
In this he is strengthened.

When lied about...turn to the Lord.
Meditate upon Him.

The Psalmist then asks the Lord for something.
He wants those who fear the Lord to turn to him.
He wants those who know God’s testimonies to be with him.

So should we.

Fear not the “shame” that the arrogant liars seek to bring.
Be not ashamed by keeping your heart blameless before the Lord.




"Hope in Affliction…"

September 10, 2014

“Hope in Affliction…”

Blessings folk!

We see more about the affliction of the Lord and the hope that we have in Him..

Psalm 119:74-77
74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
    because I have hoped in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,
    and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 Let your steadfast love comfort me
    according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
    for your law is my delight.


Verse 75 confirms that it was the Lord who had afflicted the Psalmist.
The Psalmist declares that the Lord was faithful in doing so.
We usually do not think that way.
We view affliction as “failure”, attack, etc.
It can be the kindness, grace and mercy of the Lord.
Here the Psalmist declares it was the mercy of the Lord.

Those who fear the Lord will understand and rejoice.
They will know in what we have hope - the Lord and His Word.

We are seeing profound truths related to the Word of the Lord.

Hope in His Word.
His Word is righteous. He has promised to comfort us with His steadfast love.
Therefore, delight in His Word.

"Made and Fashioned…"

September 9, 2014

“Made and Fashioned…”

Blessings folk!

Another stanza in Psalm 119.
One verse today.
Several profound truths.
Learn them.
Believe them.
Live in the Truth that is revealed in them.

Psalm 119:73
Yodh
73 Your hands have made and fashioned me;     give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

The Psalmist requests something - understanding.
He wanted understanding to learn the Lord’s commandments.

We should ask for the same.

The Psalmist declares a truth that is often rejected today - even by professing believers.
The Lord’s hands have made and fashioned him/us.

The Lord made us.
The Lord fashioned us.
Every one of us.

The corollaries are profound.

If the Lord has made each of us…
If the Lord has fashioned each of us…
If we are fearfully and wonderfully made…

Then how dare we determine who lives and who does not?
We are usurping the role of God.
There is blood on our hands in the euphemistic name of “choice”.
We must repent of this.
We must know that judgment will not be long delayed.



"Unfeeling Like Fat…"

September 8, 2014

“Unfeeling Like Fat…”

Blessings folk!

We saw yesterday that the Lord will use affliction to bring us back when we stray.
Read the following.
What do you think the affliction might have been?
What was the response of the Psalmist?

Psalm 119:69-72
69 The insolent smear me with lies,
    but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
70 their heart is unfeeling like fat,
    but I delight in your law.
71 It is good for me that I was afflicted,
    that I might learn your statutes.
72 The law of your mouth is better to me
    than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

It appears that one of the ways in which affliction came was by the smears and lies of the insolent.

Such is the same today.
Yet, the Psalmist determined to keep the precepts of the Lord with his whole heart.
Not half-hearted.
Not just the precepts he liked. Happy

He would not be like the insolent whose hearts were as unfeeling as fat.
It that not a great picture?
Have you ever picked up a big piece of fat?
Then you know.
He delighted in the law of the Lord.

The Psalmist then acknowledges that is was good to be afflicted.
The affliction enabled him to learn the statutes of the Lord.

The Law of the Lord...His statutes...His commandments...His instructions…His precepts are better to the Psalmist than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Can we say the same?
Our lives will reflect the answer.

"Affliction"

September 7, 2014

“Affliction”

Blessings folk!

Another stanza in Psalm 119 - Teth.

This one is challenging.

Psalm 119:65-68
Teth
65 You have dealt well with your servant,     O Lord, according to your word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge,     for I believe in your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,     but now I keep your word.
68 You are good and do good;     teach me your statutes.

The Psalmist affirms that the Lord has dealt well with him.
The Lord dealt with him according to His Word.
So, there must have been some dealing.

How did the Lord deal with him?
From this passage...and verses to come...we can discern.
Affliction.
The Lord brought affliction upon the Psalmist.

The Psalmist acknowledges that the Lord is good and that He does good.
He asks the Lord to:

  • teach good judgment and knowledge
  • teach His statutes

The Psalmist declares that he believes in the Lord’s commandments.
He states he now keeps His Word.

Before the affliction he did not do so.
He was astray.

The Lord will use affliction to bring us back to Him and to His Word.

Know these truths.
The Lord is good.
The Lord does good.
The Lord will use affliction to lead us back from straying.
The Lord will deal well with His servants, according to His Word.
The Lord will teach judgment and knowledge, if we seek.

Call upon Him.
He is faithful.
Trust Him.

"Teach Me…"

September 6, 2014

“Teach Me…”

Blessings folk!

The Psalmist continues in declaring the Truth and the Life of the Word of the Lord...

Psalm 119:61-64
61 The cords of the wicked have encircled me, But I have not forgotten Your law.
62 At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You Because of Your righteous ordinances.
63 I am a companion of all those who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts.
64 The earth is full of Your lovingkindness, O Lord; Teach me Your statutes.

Even though the wicked may have us surrounded…
We are not to forget the Law of the Lord.

Even though sleep might escape us…
We shall arise at midnight...do not lay there and toss and turn.
Arise!
Give thanks to God because of His righteous ordinances.
Do not complain about sleeplessness.
Arise and rejoice!

Be a companion of those who fear the Lord...those who keep God’s precepts.
Most fear man.
Do not.
Fear God.

Rejoice in the fullness of the lovingkindness of the Lord that is in the earth.
He has granted so much to us...all we need.

Seek Him to teach us His statutes.

"The Lord Is My Portion"

September 5, 2014

“The Lord Is My Portion”

Blessings folk!

The Psalmist begins another stanza in Psalm 119 - “Heth”

Psalm 119:57-60
Heth
57 The Lord is my portion;     I promise to keep your words.
58 I entreat your favor with all my heart;     be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 When I think on my ways,     I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60 I hasten and do not delay     to keep your commandments.

The Psalmist makes several strong declarations.
These declarations are not based upon his mere desire.
They are based upon this - “the Lord is my Portion”.

Therefore…
I will promise to keep Your words
I entreat your favor with all my heart
I turn my feet to your testimonies...Your Word…when I think on my ways...the ways of the flesh, the ways that are not God’s.
I hasten to keep Your commandments.
I do not delay to keep Your commandments.

So, the question is ours.
Is the Lord your Portion?
Do you hasten to turn to Him and His commandments?

Seek the Lord’s favor with all your heart.
Keep His Words/Ways/Testimonies/Commandments.

Then will life be abundant.



"Do We…?"

September 4, 2014

“Do We…?”

Blessings folk!

It is abundantly clear by now that the Psalmist was rejoicing and giving thanks to the Lord for His law, precepts, commandments, instructions, statutes and the like.

Do we do likewise?
Do we even know the counsel of the Most High?
Sadly, most professing believers do not.

I am not speaking from the point of needing to know every element of the Old Covenant law.

I am speaking from the point of knowing the revelation that the Lord has given us as to how to live as He commanded.

Read the following.
Ask yourself…
“Is this my response?”
“Is this my pattern and practice of behavior?”

Psalm 119:53-56
53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,     who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs     in the house of my sojourning.
55 I remember your name in the night, O Lord,     and keep your law.
56 This blessing has fallen to me,     that I have kept your precepts.

Does “hot indignation” seize you due to the wicked?
Note why?
The wicked forsake the law of the Lord.
It is due to this rejection of the law of the Lord that the wicked do what they do.
Such will increase.

Are the Lord’s statutes your song?
Are they upon your heart and mind constantly?
Are the statutes of the Lord “in the house of your sojourning?”
This is more than hanging a scripture verse on the physical building where you reside.
What is the “house of my sojourning”?
Could it be the physical body we have?
The statutes of the Lord must be the “song we sing”, the “word we speak”, from our body.

Do you remember the name of the Lord upon your night bed?
Or, do you worry and fret over the cares and concerns of this world?

Know this.
Keeping the precepts of the Lord will bring blessing.

May we do so.

"Derided…?"

September 3, 2014

“Derided…?”

Blessing folk!

We questioned ourselves yesterday...in what do we take comfort?

It is in the Lord and His Word that true “comfort” resides.

But, what about when folk attack, belittle, undermine, deride?

Psalm 119:51-52
51 The arrogant utterly deride me,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.
52 I have remembered Your ordinances from of old, O Lord,
And comfort myself.

When utterly derided by the arrogant, do not turn aside from the Law of the Lord.
Stand firm in the Word of the Lord.
Remember the ordinances of the Lord.
The ordinances from old...long ago.
Comfort is there.

Be not one who derides.
Be one who speaks the Word of the Lord, thereby bringing comfort.

Do not turn aside to the strategies and responses of man.
Stand firm in the Lord - His Word and the Might of His Power.


"Comfort"

September 2, 2014

“Comfort”

Blessings folk!

The next stanza of the acrostic Psalm 119.
Zayin!
In what do you take comfort?
Food?
Solitude?
People?
Drink
Busy-ness?
Circumstances?
Power?
Stuff?
Passions?
Et.c Etc.

Psalm 119:49-50
Zayin.
49 Remember the word to Your servant, In which You have made me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me.

Our hope is in the Lord.
He reveals Himself in many ways...creation, the Word.
The Word brings Hope!

The Word is comfort in affliction.
The Word will revive.

Anything else other than the Hope of the Lord and the Word of the Lord is but a temporary substitute.

Comfort and revival from anything else is but temporary.

"…Which I Love..."

September 1, 2014

“...Which I Love…”

Blessings folk!

Psalm 119:46-48
46 I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings
And shall not be ashamed.
47 I shall delight in Your commandments,
Which I love.
48 And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments,
Which I love;
And I will meditate on Your statutes.


What do you love?
Often, we profess to love one thing, put our actions reveal otherwise.

The Psalmist declares that he loves the commandments/testimonies/statutes of the Lord.

He determines to do so by what he does in life.
He will meditate upon the statutes of the Lord...which he loves.
He will lift up his hands to the commandments of the Lord...which he loves.
He will delight in the commandments of the Lord...which he loves.
He will not be ashamed of the testimonies of the Lord before kings.

If someone looked at our lives, what would they determine to be our love?
Sports?
Food?
Relationships?
Career?
Power?
Money?
Religion?
Etc. etc.

Many of these are good...blessings from God.

But the Word is clear.

We are the love the Lord our God with all our heart, all our soul, all our strength, all our mind...and love one another in like manner.

Do we?
Determine to do so.