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.