Scripture
You are good and do only good; teach me your decrees.
~Psalm 119:68, NLT
Quote
The promises of God shine brighter in the darkness of affliction.
~C.H. Spurgeon
The ninth stanza begins with the Hebrew letter ‘teth’ and the focus is on God’s word and His infinite goodness. The Hebrew word ‘tob’ [good or goodness] is used eight times in this stanza. I love how the stanza begins…You have done many good things for me, LORD, just as you promised. The Psalmist deals with three negative experiences that at times may cause us to doubt God’s infinite goodness. These three are:
- Affliction or suffering [v.71]… My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.
- Discipline [v.67]...I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.
- Opposition [v.69]…Arrogant people smear me with lies, but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart.
I generally try to focus on one thing and enlarge it but I know how busy you are and today I am going to list some random comments from Dr. Wiersbe’s commentary that I think will encourage you. It will take only a few seconds to plant them in your mind.
- Neither God’s character or His word ever changes. Science changes, text books change, we change, the weather changes but God does not change, nor does his word.
- God acts in accordance to His word. What He says, He will do. The bible is an amazing book!
- The better we know God’s word, the better we can pray within His will. Israel was guilty of asking for things they did not need like meat to eat and a king. God gave them both and both made them sick.
- The LORD disciplines His children. [Heb. 12:5-6]
- The LORD uses suffering to teach us and to enrich us.
- The LORD uses opposition to drive us deeper into His word and our faith in Him.
- The person of faith does not live by the priorities and values of this world. We have a higher standard.
Simple but very good insights: wouldn’t you agree!
- Clock is ticking our our ROCKY FORD “Meet Your Neighbor” Block Party. Will anyone show up? I hope so. If we have weather like yesterday, it will be perfect. You know it is Fall when you use the heater going to work and the AC when you come home.
- STEW October 25
- TRUNK-A-TRAIL October 29
- GOLDEN GIRLS November 11 at our place.