A PRO-ACTIVE GOD
Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget your law. Psalm 119:153
Knowing that God looks on my affliction and asking him to deliver me are two different things. Just because the first happens doesn’t mean I will automatically cry out for deliverance. If I am not used to asking for help, I will settle for a God who sees my pain but who is kept at a respectful distance. Needing Him is too frightening. Continue reading “A Pro-active God”
THE COMPATIBILITY OF LOVE AND JUSTICE
Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O LORD, according to your justice give me life. Psalm 119:149
Today’s scripture stretches me in every way. I’m having a hard time getting my mind around it; so far is God’s character removed from human nature. The principle is that God’s love and God’s justice are completely compatible. When a matter is decided using both criterion as a foundation for His decision, the result is harmony, not division. David asks to be heard. “As much as you love me, God, hear me.” David asks for a new infusion of life. “As you are just and fair, give me life.” Continue reading “The Compatability of Love and Justice”
BEFORE THE DAY BEGINS
I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. Psalm 119:147
I used to wait until I was in trouble before asking God for help. When everything was in shambles, I would then hope in God’s Word and God’s power to intervene. A relationship gone awry? Pray. A meeting at church go badly? Pray. Someone in my family get sick? Time to pray. Continue reading “Before The Day Begins”
KNOWING MY PITFALLS
I call to you; save me, that I may observe your testimonies. Psalm 119:146
The most important prayer for any child of God to pray is not to be saved from their enemies, or their circumstances, but from the bent of their own flesh toward sin. Though David asks repeatedly for God to spare his life and deliver him from the hand of those who would kill him, he puts as much emphasis on asking God to save his soul from temptation. Continue reading “Knowing My Pitfalls”
BENDING, ENGAGING, INVESTING
With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord. Psalm 119:145
God is engaged with a heart that is engaged with Him. It has always been about the heart, not token behavior. His people could go to the temple, say all the right prayers, make all the right sacrifices, but if their hearts weren’t right before Him, He said that their religious behaviors were worthless. It’s shocking to understand that this even involves the area of prayer. Continue reading “Bending, Engaging, Investing”
THE LOGICAL CHOICE
You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness. Psalm 119:138
I often read a portion of the Word and think, “Ok, this is sure out there. I guess I’ll stretch my faith and choose to believe it anyway.” (Like it was some heroic act.) I’m pulled up short this morning. It should be easy to believe God. He is a truth teller. He is holy. His love is faithful. Knowing this, why would the choice be difficult. Continue reading “The Logical Choice”
WHAT BEGETS WHAT
Righteous are you O Lord, and right are your rules. Psalm 119:137
God acts according to His nature. He is totally consistent. He is love and never acts cruel. He is just and never acts unjustly. He is faithful and never turns his back on me. He is truthful and never speaks forked words. He is pure and never voices concepts that are unreliable. Character begets behavior. Character begets strong and righteous language. Continue reading “What Begets What?”
THE BEST WAY TO SPEND FREEDOM
Redeem me from man’s oppression, that I may keep your precepts. Psalm 119:134
Each of us were created to be free in Christ. The leadership we were made to experience was designed to resemble the kingly rule of Jesus; respectful, righteous, and life-giving. When power is twisted in the hearts of men, oppression is the result. Under such leadership, we strain to be free. The yoke is not only heavy but it cuts into the fabric of our souls and leaves permanent scars. Like the Israelites enslaved in Egypt, we spend our days laying bricks for someone else’s kingdom. There is no regard for who we are, whether we might have dreams of our own, and what our physical and emotional limits might be. A slave is a slave. Continue reading “The Best Way To Spend Freedom”
PANTING
I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments. Psalm 119:131
When an animal is chasing something, he pants. The hunt is all-consuming. I have no trouble, when describing something in the animal kingdom, as one who pants. But in the distinguished world of human beings, to admit to panting seems extreme and inappropriate to talk about. David wasn’t so provincial. His spiritual hunger was edgy. Continue reading “Panting”
THE WORD AND MY RESPONSE
The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130
When the Word of God is spoken, the possibility for understanding and then transformation exists. Whether or not that occurs in the life of a person is dependent on their response to the hearing of the Word. Understanding what has been spoken depends on that person declaring themselves ‘simple’. Continue reading “The Word and My Response”
