I had good intentions on reading through and writing about Psalm 119. It is a great set of verses to read and think upon. It shares and states much of what the Word of God means and does in our life and we get a glimpse into the heart of psalmist. So, even though my intentions were good, I was unable to accomplish my goal.
What happened? I am sure most of us have asked this question when it comes to not doing something that we had intended to do. For me, it seems, that my only consistency is my inconsistency. But regardless of the reasons I could give for not following through on this project, it still didn't come together as I had hoped.
It seems to be a part of life. And when I realize that I have messed up or failed at something I intended to do, I have two choices; either have self-pity and whine about it or just move on and seek to do better next time or tomorrow.
I sort of see this when Jesus reinstates Peter in John 21. Peter has messed up royal and he knew it and had already repented from it. (Matt 26:75) Here we see restoration and commission on one who had good intentions of dying with Jesus but had denied him instead. I love Jesus! He does not condone our sin but is a gracious, kind, compassionate and forgiving Savior. If you notice, Jesus never said "See, I told you were going to deny me". Jesus never brings it up. It doesn't mean he didn't remember it, he chose to not bringing it up or bringing it to mind.
I want to be like Jesus. When others fail to live up to the standards God has set, I am not going to say "My, my, my, how you have failed". I want to respond in kindness and graciousness towards them. They already know they failed and messed up, they don't need me to bring it up. Jesus has been kind and gracious towards me and has forgiven me of all my sin; "Hallelujah, what a Savior!"
Let's "press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:14)
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Psalm 119:25-32
The Psalmist continues to pray for the LORD to work and provide in and through His word. He prays for at least three things:
1. He prays for life (v25)
2. He prays that the LORD would teach him (v26)
3. He prays the LORD would give him strength (v28)
These three request are dependent upon God's word. It is from God's Word that we gain life. His Word preserves us and sustains us even when we feel alone and abandoned. It is through God's Word that we gain understanding and gain knowledge; it is our teacher through the working of the Holy Spirit. Lastly, the Word gives us strength. This strength is not ours but His. Ephesians 3:14-19, Paul prays for the Ephesian believers that God would "grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being" and that they would "have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge the you my be filled with all the fullness of God."
All knowledge or understanding or wisdom or learning, as it relates to the Word of God, has come from God and his word. I believe the repetitiveness of the Psalmist is a benefit for us. It is there to aid us to continually think of these things and to see the many benefits of God's Word.
1. He prays for life (v25)
2. He prays that the LORD would teach him (v26)
3. He prays the LORD would give him strength (v28)
These three request are dependent upon God's word. It is from God's Word that we gain life. His Word preserves us and sustains us even when we feel alone and abandoned. It is through God's Word that we gain understanding and gain knowledge; it is our teacher through the working of the Holy Spirit. Lastly, the Word gives us strength. This strength is not ours but His. Ephesians 3:14-19, Paul prays for the Ephesian believers that God would "grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being" and that they would "have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge the you my be filled with all the fullness of God."
All knowledge or understanding or wisdom or learning, as it relates to the Word of God, has come from God and his word. I believe the repetitiveness of the Psalmist is a benefit for us. It is there to aid us to continually think of these things and to see the many benefits of God's Word.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Psalm 119
Over the past few days I have been out of town attending our annual state Baptist convention meetings. It was a great time and a time to get away and see come different scenery.
Because of that meeting and traveling, I was unable to continue my posts on Psalm 119. I should have said that for the next 22 post I would be writing and sharing about Psalm 119 and not for the next 22 days I would be posting thoughts about Psalm 119.
So, beginning tomorrow, I will once again be writing about Psalm 119.
See you then.
Because of that meeting and traveling, I was unable to continue my posts on Psalm 119. I should have said that for the next 22 post I would be writing and sharing about Psalm 119 and not for the next 22 days I would be posting thoughts about Psalm 119.
So, beginning tomorrow, I will once again be writing about Psalm 119.
See you then.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Psalm 119:17-24
In these verses it appears that the psalmist has gone from declaring intent (I have...I will) to praying a prayer.
His prayer is for God to deal or treat him good. The result of such treatment would then be living a life of keeping God's word. Often I wonder if we ask God to bless us or treat us well, not to live according to His word, but rather to have material blessings and ease of life. Obviously, this would not be the case of every follower of Jesus.
James says in James 4:3 "You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions" (ESV). I want to pray and act like the psalmist, God treat me well so that "I may live and keep your word".
The next thing he prays for is for the LORD to "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law" It is the Lord that gives light to the eyes. We were once in darkness until Christ shown his light into our lives so that we could see the truth of his word. Paul prays a prayer for the Ephesians believers that includes "having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe..." If the Lord doesn't open our eyes, we will never see the truth nor realize the hope, inheritance and power we have in Christ.
The last thing I would like to highlight is verse 24 "Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors". A part of what he is saying is that the witness of God is his delight and that witness is where he gets his advice. It is critical that we see God through his word and take our advice from him and those who follow his word.
May these things that the psalmist has prayed for be a part of our prayers as well.
His prayer is for God to deal or treat him good. The result of such treatment would then be living a life of keeping God's word. Often I wonder if we ask God to bless us or treat us well, not to live according to His word, but rather to have material blessings and ease of life. Obviously, this would not be the case of every follower of Jesus.
James says in James 4:3 "You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions" (ESV). I want to pray and act like the psalmist, God treat me well so that "I may live and keep your word".
The next thing he prays for is for the LORD to "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law" It is the Lord that gives light to the eyes. We were once in darkness until Christ shown his light into our lives so that we could see the truth of his word. Paul prays a prayer for the Ephesians believers that includes "having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe..." If the Lord doesn't open our eyes, we will never see the truth nor realize the hope, inheritance and power we have in Christ.
The last thing I would like to highlight is verse 24 "Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors". A part of what he is saying is that the witness of God is his delight and that witness is where he gets his advice. It is critical that we see God through his word and take our advice from him and those who follow his word.
May these things that the psalmist has prayed for be a part of our prayers as well.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Psalm 119:9-16
As I continue to look at Psalm 119 it is important to notice the question of verse 9. "How can a young man keep his way pure? Obviously, this question applies to everyone. It is a question we all should ask ourselves.
In Psalm 24, David asks two other but related questions: "Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?" A part of the answer to these questions are "He who has clean hands and a pure heart..." (emphasis added).
Jesus said in Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Purity is of most importance in our relationship with God. Warren Wiersbe understands this section to be teaching on holiness. So how does the Psalmist expect to have a pure life? Let me just list the things that the psalmist will do to keep his life pure:
1. He will guard his way according to God's word. (This is a subject that I am going to explore more in a later post)
2. He is going to seek the LORD with his whole heart.
3. He is not going to wander from the LORD's commands.
4. He is going to store up the word of the LORD in his heart.
5. He is going to delight, meditate, and fix his eyes upon the word's of the LORD.
This commitment to the Word of God ought to be the same for us. When we are committed to the Word to such a high degree notice the benefit:
1. Not sin against the LORD
2. Teach others the statues of the LORD
3. Declare the rules of the LORD
4. Not forget the word of the LORD
Both the discipline of study and it's benefits ought to spur us on to devote ourselves to its study. There is much to learn and understand so I hope as you read and study, that you greatly benefit from the process.
In Psalm 24, David asks two other but related questions: "Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?" A part of the answer to these questions are "He who has clean hands and a pure heart..." (emphasis added).
Jesus said in Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Purity is of most importance in our relationship with God. Warren Wiersbe understands this section to be teaching on holiness. So how does the Psalmist expect to have a pure life? Let me just list the things that the psalmist will do to keep his life pure:
1. He will guard his way according to God's word. (This is a subject that I am going to explore more in a later post)
2. He is going to seek the LORD with his whole heart.
3. He is not going to wander from the LORD's commands.
4. He is going to store up the word of the LORD in his heart.
5. He is going to delight, meditate, and fix his eyes upon the word's of the LORD.
This commitment to the Word of God ought to be the same for us. When we are committed to the Word to such a high degree notice the benefit:
1. Not sin against the LORD
2. Teach others the statues of the LORD
3. Declare the rules of the LORD
4. Not forget the word of the LORD
Both the discipline of study and it's benefits ought to spur us on to devote ourselves to its study. There is much to learn and understand so I hope as you read and study, that you greatly benefit from the process.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
I am absolutely convinced and believe that the word of God is sufficient for all things. Here is a part of the reason that I believe this; 2 Peter 1:3 "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."
Through God and our Lord Jesus Christ and knowledge and understanding we have the necessary power and strength to overcome anything that might come our way. This may include health issues, relationship issues, financial issues, etc. Jesus is our hope. His word is our counselor. The Spirit is our Teacher.
For the next twenty-two days I am going to be reading through Psalms 119 eight verses at a time. This Psalm has much to say and teach about Word of God, my response to it and the blessing that comes from obeying it. Would you join me on this journey? If so, please leave a comment and let me know.
Psalm 119:1 gives us the benefit of keeping his "statues" and walking "according to the Law of the LORD"; it is to be blessed and blameless. I want to live a blessed life and a blameless life. The only way to do such is to obey, meditate and keep the word, precepts, decrees and commands of the LORD.
I hope that you will join me on this journey and at the end we will know more of God's word and then live to obey it more fully.
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