READ: Psalm 119:49
– 104
In verses 65-72 we learn the psalmist went astray. Considering these
teaching psalms were initially written for the young people, it makes complete
sense for the psalmist to speak about his mistakes. It is often from the
testimony of mistakes others have made that we learn to navigate similar
territory without falling. He tells of going astray, but that affliction, or
painful discipline, is the very thing that became his rescue. His attitude of
thankfulness for discipline challenges us to evaluate how desperately we want
to stay on the path. Would we be eager and thankful for affliction if we knew
it would keep us in a right relationship with the Lord?
In the section entitled ‘Lamedh’(vs. 89-96) God is praised for His
sovereignty. His sovereignty is firmly connected to His faithfulness. Because
the Lord is sovereign, He can be faithful through all generations. Nothing can
stop Him, remove Him from the position, or remove His ability to be faithful.
This is also why the Psalmist can say His Word is established forever. Unlike
someone who can be faithful only while they live, God’s promises never end
because He never ends. The word ‘precept’ literally means a principle or rule
written by a legal authority. God is the legal authority. He has the right and
ability to make the rules, set the time and agendas for events to take place.
He has the final say.
Many times, especially in our culture, education is praised and even
worshipped. We hire experts for everything, often assuming we can’t know the
answer because we lack the specific training. However, the section entitled
‘Mem’ refutes that kind of thinking. The truth is that God’s Word gives us
wisdom, understanding and knowledge. We may even find ourselves with more
wisdom, more answers, and more information than what older, more experienced
people do, simply because we opened the Word of God and ingested it. This
wisdom is not for bragging rights, however, but specifically to be used for
keeping our feet on the straight and narrow path. Again, this passage can be
confirmed with 2 Timothy 3:16-17. God’s Word really is good for training and
teaching and correcting in righteousness.
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1.
Reflect on a time when the Lord has afflicted or
disciplined you. Did you use that experience to allow God to bring you closer
to Him? Ask the Lord to speak to you about your situation right now. Is there
anything in your life He needs to discipline you for, or that you are being
disciplined for? Ask the Lord to give you a soft and tender heart toward His
discipline so you can learn quickly and return into His arms of safety and
protection quickly.
2.
Most of us have experienced the pain of broken
promises. Ask the Lord to speak to your heart regarding His everlasting
sovereignty and faithfulness, and His inability to break His promise. Thank Him
for His never-ending reign and rule. Ask Him if His promise to you hinges on
any action or attitude on your part. Listen carefully and prepare to obey
immediately.
3.
Think about a situation you are in right now in
which you may need to make a decision or think through something difficult. Ask
God to give you His wisdom through His Word and through His voice speaking to
you heart. Write down what you hear. Confirm this with other godly counsel.
