relationships (Psalm 126:1-6) Finding Joy

(Psalm 126:1-6) 

1   When the Lord brought back the captives of Zion,
     We were like those who dream.
2   Then our mouth was filled with laughter 
     And our tongue with joyful shouting;
     Then they said among the nations,
     “The Lord has done great things for them.”
3   The Lord has done great things for us;
     We are joyful.

4   Restore our fortunes, Lord,
     As the streams in the South.
5   Those who sow in tears shall harvest with joyful shouting.
6   One who goes here and there weeping, carrying his bag of seed,
     Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

In our personal relationship with the Lord, He blesses us with inner peace and joy as we are living in His will!  Believers are able to rejoice together in unity and proclaim all that the Lord has done for us, so that others will see and hear.  Therefore, through good times or through struggles, as we go through this fleeting life, striving to be obedient while relying on His wisdom, righteousness and strength, we will be planting seeds of God's word and His love.  

Even if we do not see any results, we should be encouraged to know that the Lord will use these efforts to do great things!  And these great things in turn produce more joy and blessings.  And once we reach our final destination, we will be rewarded for good deeds done with right motives, we will be fully restored, and our joy will be complete as all believers spend eternity with the Lord!

relationships (Psalm 125:1-5) Who and Why We Can Trust

(Psalm 125:1-5) 

1   Those who trust in the Lord
     Are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but remains forever.
2   As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
     So the Lord surrounds His people 
     From this time and forever.
3   For the scepter of wickedness will not rest upon the land of the righteous,
     So that the righteous will not extend their hands to do wrong.

4   Do good, Lord, to those who are good 
     And to those who are upright in their hearts.
5   But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways,
     The Lord will lead them away with those who practice injustice.
     Peace be upon Israel.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Even as believers, our goodness is nothing compared to the Lord's. Our efforts to protect ourselves is nothing compared to the Lord's.  Striving to live as we should, in God's will, is only possible with God's help.  Not only is He able to help us, but He wants to.  So, the very essence of trusting in Him is that we allow God to work in our hearts and lives, in every single situation.  Any time we night say, "I've got this!" is to say, we do not think we need God in every single situation.

I used to talk to myself, and sometimes I still catch myself doing that, but what I desire, and try to do, is to have an ongoing dialogue with Jesus!  Like "He is always right there with me" - BECAUSE - HE IS ALWAYS RIGHT HERE WITH ME!!!  And He guarantees us eternal life!  We cannot lose our salvation!  In our personal relationship with the Lord, Jesus is always and 100% faithful!  So, not only does He care, and He is more than able to help, He always here with me, and wants to be part of my life, in every detail!!!

relationships (Psalm 124:1-8) Being On God's Side

(Psalm 124:1-8) 

1   “Had it not been the Lord who was on our side,”
     Let Israel say,
2   “Had it not been the Lord who was on our side 
     When people rose up against us,
3   Then they would have swallowed us alive,
     When their anger was kindled against us;
4   Then the waters would have flooded over us,
     The stream would have swept over our souls;
5   Then the raging waters would have swept over our souls.”

6   Blessed be the Lord,
     Who has not given us to be torn by their teeth.
7   Our souls have escaped like a bird from the trapper’s snare;
     The snare is broken and we have escaped.
8   Our help is in the name of the Lord,
     Who made heaven and earth.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

As believers, we are on God's side, and we should live like we are, no matter what we are going through.  God never promises us that we won't face times of trouble, but God does promise to help us through our times of trouble, whether it is eradicating the entire issue, or giving us wisdom, strength, comfort, peace and joy while going through it.  And while He is helping us, we can witness and experience His power, love and faithfulness!  As well, as we continue to call upon the Lord in all circumstances, and allow Him to work in us and through us, we will be witnesses to those around us, demonstrating the benefits and blessings of having a close, personal relationship with the Lord.

relationships (Psalm 123:1-4) Fix Our Eyes

(Psalm 123:1-4) 

1   To You I have raised my eyes, 
     You who are enthroned in the heavens!
2   Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,
     As the eyes of a female servant to the hand of her mistress,
     So our eyes look to the Lord our God,
     Until He is gracious to us.

3   Be gracious to us, Lord, be gracious to us,
     For we have had much more than enough of contempt.
4   Our soul has had much more than enough 
     Of the scoffing of those who are at ease,
     And with the contempt of the proud.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

The world doesn't owe us any favors, even when we contribute to society.  There might be moments when we feel like we are being appreciated, but this can be very short-lived.  Those who want nothing to do with the Lord, will not want much to do with us.  But, while we should strive to live in peace with those in the world, this shouldn't fool us into trying to please the world, because they are ultimately only looking out for themselves.  That, and they have no understanding or appreciation of God's wisdom, power, holiness, righteousness and unconditional love and grace.

Choosing to serve the Lord is an honor and a blessing.  He knows our pain and struggles, and cares for us.  He sees all that we do, and appreciates our obedience and complete trust and reliance on Him.  Fixing our eyes on God helps us move forward through whatever we might come across here.  Life on earth is fleeting, but we can confidently look forward to our heavenly home that is our eternal hope.

relationship (Psalm 122:1-9) Finding Inner, Personal Peace

(Psalm 122:1-9)  

1   I was glad when they said to me,
     “Let’s go to the house of the Lord.”
2   Our feet are standing 
     Within your gates, Jerusalem,
3   Jerusalem, that has been built 
     As a city that is firmly joined together;
4   To which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord—
     An ordinance for Israel—
     To give thanks to the name of the Lord.
5   For thrones were set there for judgment,
     The thrones of the house of David.

6   Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
     “May they prosper who love you.
7   May peace be within your walls,
     And prosperity within your palaces.”
8   For the sake of my brothers and my friends,
     I will now say, “May peace be within you.”
9   For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
     I will seek your good.  

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

We should be praying that peace will be found in Israel, as well as in our own countries, churches, homes and personal lives.  This prayer request also includes the desire that all people see their need for God's love and salvation.  Having God be part of our lives in a very real and personal way - is the only way for anyone to really find and establish inner, personal peace.  And in knowing the Lord, and allowing Him to help us in our daily walk with Him, we will develop relationships with other believers, who are like-minded and Spirit-led.  In this, we will also be a steadfast living testimony to the world.  But it all starts with the Lord!

relationships (Psalm 121:1-8) The Greatest Security

(Psalm 121:1-8)

1   I will raise my eyes to the mountains;
     From where will my help come?
2   My help comes from the Lord,
     Who made heaven and earth.
3   He will not allow your foot to slip;
     He who watches over you will not slumber.
4   Behold, He who watches over Israel 
     Will neither slumber nor sleep.

5   The Lord is your protector;
     The Lord is your shade on your right hand.
6   The sun will not beat down on you by day,
     Nor the moon by night.
7   The Lord will protect you from all evil;
     He will keep your soul.
8   The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in 
     From this time and forever.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

When we become believers, we have eternal security.  The Lord will keep our souls from the moment one puts their faith in Him - forever!  He is omniscient, and created the heavens and the earth, so He is able to do save us, keep us and help us!  He is omnipresent, and never sleeps, so we can trust that He will keep watch over us all of the time!  The Lord is omnipotent, and greater than all other powers put together, therefore there is no greater security, love, peace or help!!!

relationships (Psalm 120:1-7) How to Consider Circumstances

(Psalm 120:1-7) 

1  I cried to the Lord in my trouble,
     And He answered me.
2   Rescue my soul, Lord, from lying lips,
     From a deceitful tongue.
3   What will He give to you, and what more will He do to you,
     You deceitful tongue?
4   Sharp arrows of the warrior,
     With the burning coals of the broom tree!

5   Woe to me, for I reside in Meshech,
     For I have settled among the tents of Kedar!
6   Too long has my soul had its dwelling 
     With those who hate peace.
7   I am for peace, but when I speak,
     They are for war.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

There are times when we will find ourselves living in contentious settings.  And even when we mean well and try to establish peace and speak about God's goodness and His will for our lives, it will be taken the wrong way.  Some people very easily misunderstand, while many others don't even want to understand, because they love to be contentious.  There are those who love the drama, arguing and fighting, retaliation and vengeance.  But we cannot control what others do, say or feel.  We can only control ourselves, and even then...

This is why we should cry to the Lord!  As I've been reading all the passages that David wrote, I've found myself wondering why he usually starts with how he reaches out to God, followed by all his woes and troubles.  As a writer of dramatic scripts, a "story" typically begins with an issue, and then finds its way to growth, some sort of "ah-ha" moment and resolution.  Typical human nature is to first vent and try to work things out in one's own efforts, and then as "the last resort" call out to God.  So, my conclusion about David's writing style in "song lyrics" is one which is very positive.  

As soon as David realizes that he is struggling - he calls out to the Lord!!!  And then to the Lord - he vents and processes.  Only the Lord can really help us!  So, we should KNOW that the Lord WILL hear us and help us - when we call.  Therefore we should remember:  as soon as we face trouble, we should seek the Lord for His help and guidance.  And even better, remember to seek the Lord and His guidance BEFORE any trouble comes upon us.  This should be our first go-to for everything!  

God cares, and He is omniscient, so He knows exactly what is needed.  Even consider how David doesn't tell God how to solve his issue/s, which are enormous and miserable, he simply asks to be rescued.  Therefore, we can consider every circumstance as an opportunity for God to do something outrageously miraculous!

relationships (Psalm 119:161-176) Faithful Peace

(Psalm 119:161-176) 

161 Rulers persecute me without cause,
       But my heart stands in awe of Your words.
162 I rejoice at Your word,
       Like one who finds great plunder.
163 I hate and loathe falsehood,
       But I love Your Law.
164 Seven times a day I praise You 
       Because of Your righteous judgments.
165 Those who love Your Law have great peace,
       And nothing causes them to stumble.
166 I hope for Your salvation, Lord,
       And do Your commandments.
167 My soul keeps Your testimonies,
       And I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,
       For all my ways are before You.

169 Let my cry come before You, Lord;
       Give me understanding according to Your word.
170 Let my pleading come before You;
       Save me according to Your word.
171 Let my lips pour out praise,
       For You teach me Your statutes.
172 Let my tongue sing about Your word,
       For all Your commandments are righteousness.
173 Let Your hand be ready to help me,
       For I have chosen Your precepts.
174 I long for Your salvation, Lord,
       And Your Law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live that it may praise You,
       And let Your ordinances help me.
176 I have wandered about like a lost sheep; search for Your servant,
       For I do not forget Your commandments.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

In and through a very personal relationship with the Lord, God, Himself, speaks directly to us through His word!  The closer I get to the Lord, the more I lean on Him for my help and wisdom.  And the more I study God's word, the more in awe I am!

In knowing and loving God's promises and His commandments, I see how we can have peace in our lives, no matter what we are going through.  In fact, David asks the Lord that he might live longer here on earth in order to further spread the Lord's message of salvation.  And, in times of tests, trials and struggles, God's miraculous answers to prayer are more evident.  This in itself is a testimony to us and others of God's faithfulness and blessings.

Over all the years, in all of my experiences, I have seen this to be very true!  The more I trust and rest in God and His word, the more peace I experience!  There is individual inner peace that cannot be described, and cannot be manipulated or quashed by others.  And when a group of people all strive to live according to God and His word, there is a very real and widespread peace, and unconditional love, which brings about a unity among God's children!

relationships (Psalm 119:145-160) "Waiting" Might Be the Solution

(Psalm 119:145-160) 

145 I cried out with all my heart; answer me, Lord!
       I will comply with Your statutes.
146 I cried to You; save me 
       And I shall keep Your testimonies.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
       I wait for Your words.
148 My eyes anticipate the night watches,
       So that I may meditate on Your word.
149 Hear my voice according to Your faithfulness;
       Revive me, Lord, according to Your judgments.
150 Those who follow after wickedness approach;
       They are far from Your Law.
151 You are near, Lord,
       And all Your commandments are truth.
152 From long ago I have known from Your testimonies 
       That You have founded them forever.

153 Look at my affliction and rescue me,
       For I have not forgotten Your Law.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me;
       Revive me according to Your word.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
       For they do not seek Your statutes.
156 Great are Your mercies, Lord;
       Revive me according to Your judgments.
157 Many are my persecutors and my enemies,
       Yet I do not turn aside from Your testimonies.
158 I see the treacherous and loathe them,
       Because they do not keep Your word.
159 Consider how I love Your precepts;
       Revive me, Lord, according to Your faithfulness.
160 The sum of Your word is truth,
       And every one of Your righteous judgments is everlasting.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

In my personal relationship with the Lord, I am still learning to put the Lord God first, in everything.  We can be so very forgetful... at least I can.  It's interesting how I will become more forgetful when things are going smoothly, but we need to put it into constant practice to seek out and ask for God's guidance, help and strength.  In everything, we should WANT God's guidance, help and strength!

It is also important to remember that every time we seek the Lord for help, we should "wait" on Him, and not take matters into our own hands.  All too often, I have been hasty and quick to rush into a decision or action, only to make a bigger mess of things.  It is to God's glory and our benefit to be patient while we wait for God to answer our prayers in His perfect timing and in the best way possible.  

Always, and especially while waiting for God to sort things out, we should continue studying and meditating on His word, and living in obedience.  In this way we stay close to God!  In this way we can know and remember that God is very near to us and will revive us - all of the time - in every circumstance!  In fact, very often, "just" doing exactly these things can be the necessary decisions and actions required!

relationships (Psalm 119:129-144) What Empowers You?

(Psalm 119:129-144) 

129 Your testimonies are wonderful;
       Therefore my soul complies with them.
130 The unfolding of Your words gives light;
       It gives understanding to the simple.
131 I opened my mouth wide and panted,
       For I longed for Your commandments.
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
       As is right for those who love Your name.
133 Establish my footsteps in Your word,
       And do not let any wrongdoing have power over me.
134 Redeem me from oppression by man,
       So 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 water,
       Because they do not keep Your Law.

137 You are righteous, Lord,
       And Your judgments are right.
138 You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness 
       And great faithfulness.
139 My zeal has consumed me,
       Because my enemies 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.
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
       And Your Law is truth.
143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me,
       Yet Your commandments are my delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever;
       Give me understanding that I may live.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

David not only felt sorrow for people who want nothing to do with the Lord, but he felt remorse for his own struggles to keep God's Law.  We should feel sad when those around us live in sin, because they do not know or understand the Lord's salvation, the blessings that we can experience right now, and our certain hope to come.  As for our own struggles with sin, since we already have a close, personal relationship with Jesus, we should feel remorse, because it is a betrayal to Him.  

Jesus suffered and died to pay for all our sins, and rose again so that He could set us free from sin, and give us victory in His priceless, precious gift of righteousness, peace and joy.  To willfully sin would be a little like if your parents had worked hard for many years, and saved every thing they could, denying themselves any luxuries in life, just so they could pay for your university, which would be nonrefundable... but you chose to skip every class and drop out.  Something like that.  You'd still be their child, but one can only imagine the pain and disappointment they would feel.

As David says in verse 141, even though at times we can feel so invincible, we are so very small... and weak!  So in verse 133, just as David asks, we should ask God to not let any wrongdoing have power over us, but to establish us in God's word.  LOVE how David describes the scriptures in verse 130!  The righteous, infallible word of God is a miracle in itself.  Such amazing complexity with so many layers, yet the unfolding of His word gives light, and gives understanding to the simple.  

God's word is wonderful, righteous, pure, truth, unchanging, relevant, giving us light and understanding for every circumstance.  Our delight is not just in reading and studying the Bible, but applying it.  As we learn more about our Lord and Savior, we will look to Him for our constant help and strength in living according to His will.  We are weak, but He is strong.  We should ask ourselves, are we allowing sin to have power over us, or are we living in God's truth using His power?  It is in this, loving God and living in His truth and strength that we will experience His courage, peace and joy!  In this, He will work things out for good!

relationships (Psalm 119:113-128) Love vs Hate

(Psalm 119:113-128) 

113 I hate those who are double-minded,
       But I love Your Law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield;
       I wait for Your word.
115 Leave me, you evildoers,
       So that I may comply with the commandments of my God.
116 Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live;
       And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
117 Sustain me so that I may be safe,
       That I may have regard for Your statutes continually.
118 You have rejected all those who stray from Your statutes,
       For their deceitfulness is useless.
119 You have removed all the wicked of the earth like impurities;
       Therefore I love Your testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles from the fear of You,
       And I am afraid of Your judgments.

121 I have done justice and righteousness;
       Do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Be a guarantor for Your servant for good;
       Do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes fail with longing for Your salvation,
       And for Your righteous word.
124 Deal with Your servant according to Your graciousness,
       And teach me Your statutes.
125 I am Your servant; give me understanding,
       So that I may know Your testimonies.
126 It is time for the Lord to act,
       For they have broken Your Law.
127 Therefore I love Your commandments 
       Above gold, yes, above pure gold.
128 Therefore I carefully follow all Your precepts concerning everything,
       I hate every false way.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

In our personal relationship with the Lord, if we say that we love Him, we will fear Him with the deepest respect, and know to fear His judgments.  When we become Christians, God saves us, not just from eternal death and from our sins, but also from His wrath and judgment!  And because we love and respect God with a healthy fear, we should not want to test Him, disobey Him or take Him for granted.  As Christians, we can never lose our salvation, but He will discipline us because our heavenly Father loves us and wants the best for us.

In our personal relationship with the Lord, if we say that we love Him, we will desire to please Him.  Part of that is to confess the sins that we commit, as well as try to avoid sinning in the first place.  This is why God tells us not to be best friends with the world, or have unbelievers as our confidants or spiritual advisors.  But this does not mean that we should "run for the hills" to escape and hide.  The problem with that is, wherever we are, we will find sin, because until we get to heaven, we will still sin.  And, God has told us to be in the world but not of the world.

In our personal relationship with the Lord, if we say that we love Him, we should love what He loves.  God loves everyone and desires that all come to know Him.  Therefore, He wants us to be living witnesses to those around us.  This might seem impossible or scary to do, since we still have a sin nature!  But God is faithful, and we have His indwelling Holy Spirit to guide and empower us, and we have His word to teach and instruct us.

In our personal relationship with the Lord, if we say that we love Him, we will love everything that He says.  Those who do not love God or His word are arrogant, oppressive, double-minded and deceitful.  If those people would actually be humble, graciously loving, consistent, pure and desire righteousness, they would then love God, His word, and love all those who also love God and His word!  One cannot love God but hate the Bible, because the scriptures are the infallible word of God!  This is God speaking directly to us, so that we can get to know Him and His love better, as well as love and get along with others better!

Therefore, in our personal relationship with the Lord, if we say that we love Him, we will desire to always draw nearer to Him, and get to know Him better, and better.  And in knowing Him better, we will understand that He wants to help us in all things, like living a life of fulfillment and purpose according to His perfect will, which will be a testimony to those around us.  In confessing our sins as soon as we know we've done something wrong is actually part of being a testimony and a living witness!  And in asking the Lord to work in us and through us, He changes us from the inside out.  These changes will be evident to those around us.  So, when God asks us to do something, like to share the gospel message, He is always there to protect us, guide us, help us and bless us!  With Him, all these things are more than possible!

relationships (Psalm 119:97-112) God's Wisdom vs Man's Wisdom

(Psalm 119:97-112) 

97   How I love Your Law!
       It is my meditation all the day.
98   Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
       For they are ever mine.
99   I have more insight than all my teachers,
       For Your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than those who are old,
       Because I have complied with Your precepts.
101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
       So that I may keep Your word.
102 I have not turned aside from Your judgments,
       For You Yourself have taught me.
103 How sweet are Your words to my taste!
       Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 From Your precepts I get understanding;
       Therefore I hate every false way.

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
       And a light to my path.
106 I have sworn and I will confirm it,
       That I will keep Your righteous judgments.
107 I am exceedingly afflicted;
       Revive me, Lord, according to Your word.
108 Be pleased to accept the voluntary offerings of my mouth, Lord,
       And teach me Your judgments.
109 My life is continually in my hand,
       Yet I do not forget Your Law.
110 The wicked have set a trap for me,
       Yet I have not wandered from Your precepts.
111 I have inherited Your testimonies forever,
       For they are the joy of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes 
       Forever, even to the end.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

I've had discussions with people who admitted that they don't know what truth actually is, or who God really is;  yet somehow they have very strong opinions against "the God of the Bible" and His word.  And anyone who believes in it, and especially anyone who refers to it for everything they do in life - must be in a cult, ignorant and brainwashed.  And even though their worldview is to say things like, "We can live by our own truths," or "Anyone should be able to believe in whatever brings them comfort," or "All gods are the same, and they all lead to heaven"... they immediately compromise their worldview belief and show their hypocrisy when they try to talk Christians out of believing in "the God of the Bible" and His word.

Our decision then is, are we going to succumb to peer pressure or society's rhetoric just to please mankind?  Or are we going to remain steadfast in our personal relationship with the Lord God Jesus Christ, who is holy, righteous and all-knowing!  His word is infallible, timeless, unchanging and relevant!  His wisdom is above and beyond all else!  And He desires to teach us His will, wisdom and truth, and lead us and help us experience purpose, fulfillment, peace, hope, joy and strength, as well as His goodness and blessings.  

In the moment we put our faith in the Lord, He changes us from the inside out, sealing us with His Holy Spirit of promise so we cannot lose our salvation.  But He doesn't just abandon us after that and leave us to figure out everything for ourselves.  He desires to be involved in our lives, to empower us to serve and do good, because Christianity is about having a personal relationship with the Lord.

Although God teaches us and changes us from the inside out, our obedience still requires our will.  Our actions are a result of our willingness to seek out and do God's will.  So even when we do make mistakes or find ourselves in trouble, know that what we have set before us as our heart's desire will help guide our actions.  To keep from stumbling, it helps to hate the things that God hates.  It is less likely that we will be tempted to do something that we hate.  To put God first in our lives, means that we will love the Lord and His word above everyone and anything else. 

Because it is a personal relationship with the Lord, as we make mistakes, it is most beneficial to confess those to God and turn our focus back to Him.  Because we are apt to stumble and stray, we constantly need His help!  Not just for the difficult things, but for everything.  It is unwise for us to think that we are wise in our own thinking - to think that we know better, or know more than the Almighty Creator.  The more we think we can manage a few things without God's help, the more we will stray away from Him.  We are not faithful, but God is!  So when we ask, God will work in us and through us, guiding us and filling us with His wisdom.

relationships (Psalm 119:81-96) Being a Role-Model-Leader

(Psalm 119:81-96) 

81 My soul languishes for Your salvation;
     I wait for Your word.
82 My eyes fail with longing for Your word,
     While I say, “When will You comfort me?”
83 Though I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
     I do not forget Your statutes.
84 How many are the days of Your servant?
     When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?
85 The arrogant have dug pits for me,
     People who are not in accord with Your Law.
86 All Your commandments are faithful;
     They have persecuted me with a lie; help me!
87 They almost destroyed me on earth,
     But as for me, I did not abandon Your precepts.
88 Revive me according to Your faithfulness,
     So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

89 Forever, Lord,
     Your word stands in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness continues throughout generations;
     You established the earth, and it stands.
91 They stand this day by Your ordinances,
     For all things are Your servants.
92 If Your Law had not been my delight,
     Then I would have perished in my misery.
93 I will never forget Your precepts,
     For by them You have revived me.
94 I am Yours, save me;
     For I have sought Your precepts.
95 The wicked wait for me to destroy me;
     I will diligently consider Your testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection;
     Your commandment is exceedingly broad.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

We have to remember a few things about David.  Firstly, in the scriptures, he is called "a man after God's own heart".  Secondly, he still wasn't perfect, but when he sinned, he repented, turned his trajectory around, and continued to pursue his close, personal relationship with the Lord.  And thirdly, he was a king.  

One thing that should not shock us, but it still does, is that there are so many "games" being played out in politics.  The higher up one is in the chain of command, the more "games", confrontations, false accusations, criticisms, attacks, and temptations!  Even for the most seasoned Christian, being in any sort of leadership role with a high profile, is a difficult moral road to walk.

No matter what positions we hold in life, even "just" as a spouse, a parent, a friend, or a neighbor... in how we live, we are important role-model-leaders to all of those around us.  So, as a good role model for us to follow, we can consider king David's example.  Here, amidst the turmoil, David praises God for His faithfulness and counts on His faithfulness to save and revive him.  

In David's lifetime, he had a lot of experiences with many dangerous and powerful enemies, so he would have known from experience that God is always faithful.  And even though he was in a high position himself, he chose to be a humble servant of the Lord.  Humility is a very necessary thing in order to combat our sinful pride, arrogance and greed.  But here we see that, although, as a king, he would have seen many wonderful things that this world can offer, David still recognized and valued the perfection of God and His word above all else.

As for me, no matter where or how I need help, God's wisdom and guidance never fails me.  And no matter what I'm going through, when I wait on the Lord, I am never disappointed.  My experiences are not as vast as king David's, but I have gone through enough to know for myself that God is always faithful, and His word is true.

relationships (Psalm 119:73-80) Truth vs Lies

(Psalm 119:73-80) 

73 Your hands made me and fashioned me;
     Give me understanding, so that I may learn Your commandments.
74 May those who fear You see me and be glad,
     Because I wait for Your word.
75 I know, Lord, that Your judgments are righteous,
     And that You have afflicted me in faithfulness.
76 May Your favor comfort me,
     According to Your word to Your servant.
77 May Your compassion come to me so that I may live,
     For Your Law is my delight.
78 May the arrogant be put to shame, because they lead me astray with a lie;
     But I shall meditate on Your precepts.
79 May those who fear You turn to me,
     And those who know Your testimonies.
80 May my heart be blameless in Your statutes,
     So that I will not be ashamed.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Besides the entire Bible, there is a lot in just these few verses!  And so, just as David does here, I desire and ask that the Lord give me insight and understanding!  For sure, most people can understand that when we turn to the Lord, to fear (awesomely respect) Him, He will comfort us in His compassion.  But a lot of people struggle with how a loving God can allow bad things to happen.  This is where the world starts to spread and believe lies regarding God, who He is and what He does.

The only way we will not be derailed and led astray by what the world says, is by studying, knowing and embracing God's word.  When we take the entire Bible into context, there are no inconsistencies.  God is righteous, holy and unchanging, so we can trust everything He says.  And His word tells us is that, because He is a God of love, He has created us with a free will.  While He is faithful in loving all people, He does not force anyone to be part of His family, to believe in Him, or love Him back, or even to obey His will.

Well, so what is free will with out choices?  And what are choices if we do not have the freedom to act upon them?  Therefore, for now, God allows bad things to happen - to a point.  Imagine if God did not curtail evil, or intervene at times with justice and consequences!  Therefore, some of the suffering is deserved.  But sometimes we suffer without doing anything wrong.  These are trials that God allows into our lives so that we will grow stronger in our relationship with Him.  In our spiritual walk, to seek out God's compassion and comfort, help, strength and joy... the direction to always take is to continue moving closer to the Lord!

In our efforts to always grow closer to God, it is most beneficial to move alongside other believers who are also persistent in growing closer to Him.  When everyone grows closer to the Lord, we will all grow closer to one another.  And in consistently studying and living by His infallible word, the Bible, we can find peace and unity.  The Lord God and His word is true and faithful, and works for good to those who love Him.