This continues the study of Psalm 119. (Start the series here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2017/09/study-of-psalm-119-psalm-1191.html)
God Provides (by Rhonda Sawtelle)
Psalm 119: God's Word....
vs. 7, 8: Provides Results
I will praise You with uprightness of heart, when I learn Your righteous judgments. Psalm 119:7
Praise: give thanks, laud
Uprightness: honest, integrity
Heart: specific reference to moral character
Learn: instruct, skillful, to exercise in
Righteous: justice
Judgments: divine law, ordinance
When I learn and "exercise" God's Word, there should be a direct result — praise! Giving thanks should be an outpouring of love and appreciation for who God is, and all He does.
The more I know about God, the more I should be in awe of Him. But the key to this verse is "when I learn". Learning takes effort. Learning takes time. Learning is vital to growing and understanding more about who God is. And when I gain a greater understanding of God, then praise will flow from my heart!
As the state of Florida prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Irma, many wonder, "Why would God allow such a storm, that brings death and destruction?" To be honest, I don't know. But I do know that even the winds and sea obey Him. He has the power to stop Irma in her tracks. However, even if He doesn't, that doesn't make Him any less God. God doesn't owe us any explanation of why He does what He does. God doesn't owe us anything!
It is only by His grace and mercy that He loves us, and loves us so much that He paid the sacrifice for our sins! (John 3:16) God, the creator of all — including us — doesn't need to act in the way we think best. God acts in ways that are beyond our understanding. God acts in ways that get people's attention and draw them near to Him. God acts in ways that demonstrate His power, His justice, and His sovereignty.
Who is God? He is too big for me to comprehend everything about Him. But I do know that God loves me! And that is cause for great praise!
This continues the study of Psalm 119. (Start the series here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2017/09/study-of-psalm-119-psalm-1191.html)
God Provides (by Rhonda Sawtelle)
Psalm 119: God's Word....
vs. 6: Provides Motivation
Then I would not be ashamed, when I look into all Your commandments. Psalm 119:6
Then: expressing logical sequence
Not: nay, neither, never, no
Ashamed: be put to confusion, to be disappointed
Look: look intently at, consider, regard, have respect
All: altogether, any manner, every one
Commandments: which was commanded, law, ordinance, precept
The past few days, we've been very motivated as we prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Irma. It's amazing how a threat can motivated us into action. We all knew that hurricane season was approaching, but most did nothing about it, until there was a real threat.
In my life, do I would in crisis mode? Do I wait until I'm in trouble before turning to God? What motivates me into action?
What should motivate me to obey God's Word, is that it is in fact His Word! If I am obeying His Word, then when I read His Word, it becomes a blessing. However, if I am disobeying God, then reading His Word should be convicting.
Looking back at the previous verses, there are actions and choices that should be part of my daily life. If I am thinking and acting, in a manner honoring God, then I have no need to be ashamed.
What motivates you? Do you wait until you are in crisis mode? Or are you creating a daily habit of obeying God?
This continues the study of Psalm 119. (Start the series here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2017/09/study-of-psalm-119-psalm-1191.html)
God Provides (by Rhonda Sawtelle)
Psalm 119: God's Word....
vs. 3–5: Provides Direction
Oh, that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes! Psalm 119:5
O that: my wish is that; O! would that!
Ways: of moral action and character
Directed: in moral sense, be directed aright, faithfulness
To Keep: Keep: take heed to self, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; to protect, be circumspect
Statutes: commandment
Oh, that every part of my life would remain in line with what You require! Psalm 119:5 (VOICE)
What is your wish? What do you dream of? The best wish would be that we live a life pleasing and honoring God.
As I studied that meaning of the words in Psalm 119:5, the word "Faithfulness" stood out. How I would personally translate Psalm 119:5 "My desire is that I'd be faithful to obey God's Word."
Faithful. Faithfully obey God.
Faithful:1. strict or thorough in the performance of duty: a faithful worker.2. true to one's word, promises, vows, etc.3. steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant: faithful friends.4. reliable, trusted, or believed.http://www.dictionary.com/browse/faithful?s=t
What good is having directions, if you don't follow them? God clearly states what we are to do and how we are to live. Want true happiness and joy? Then be faithful to the obedience to His Word.
This continues the study of Psalm 119. (Start the series here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2017/09/study-of-psalm-119-psalm-1191.html)
God Provides (by Rhonda Sawtelle)
Psalm 119: God's Word....
vs. 3–5: Provides Direction
You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently. Psalm 119:4
You: God
Commanded: give a charge
Keep: take heed to self, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. Guard; to protect, be circumspect
Precepts: a mandate of God; (plural only, collectively, for the Law) -- commandment
Diligently: up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly
Our lives are filled with situations and circumstances that have rules.
When you drive, there are specific rules that must be followed, and if not, there are consequences — up to and including death. Stopping on red, may seem like a silly rule, but it's one that when obeyed protects you from getting t-boned.
The fact is that we live our lives by rules each day. Why do we then fight and ignore the simple basic rules that God (who created us) has given us? Why do we think that we know better and can ignore the laws that God designed? He created the laws knowing us and what we would need to protect us from ourselves and on another.
Yet, so often we ignore God's commands, thinking we know all too well. That is basically, ignoring the meaning of a red light — and driving directly into the path of a car obeying the law of the green light.
God provides direction, not because He want to rob us of fun. Rather, he provides direction through His commands so that we can enjoy life, and truly be happy!
Red light. Green light. It really is as simple as that.
This continues the study of Psalm 119. (Start the series here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2017/09/study-of-psalm-119-psalm-1191.html)
God Provides (by Rhonda Sawtelle)
Psalm 119: God's Word....
vs. 3–5: Provides Direction
They also do no iniquity; they walk in His ways.Psalm 119:3
Do: to do or make—systematically and habitually
No: nay, neither, never, no
Iniquity: violent deeds of injustice
Walk: behave self, of moral and religious life
His ways: course of life, or action, undertakings, in good sense
Habits. We all have them. Some are good and others we need to work on breaking. If we want to be happy and joyful, then we need to make sure we do not have habits that go against God. In no way, never, a flat out NO. Habits that are against God almighty have to be broken!
But as we all know, bad habits need to be replaced with better ones. How do we do that? First, we must identify the bad habits. Name them. Write them down. When we take the time to actually name and put in writing the bad habits, it makes them very real. We can't ignore them any longer.
Next, share the list with God. No, I'm not joking here. He already knows all our habits — good and bad. But name them and take with over with God. Ask for forgiveness. Explain why the habit is bad — and goes against our holy God.
The next step is ask God for the strength, determination and will to change the bad habit. He will give it. But it's up to us to do the work. Accountability helps in this area. Find a trusted friend or two and ask them to pray with you, for you and come along side to encourage you.
And lastly, replace the bad habit with a God-honoring one. This is the "walk in His ways" part of the verse. Behave yourself! Make your course of life — all actions, thoughts, words — one that shows that you fear a holy and almighty God.
Say NO to sin and start creating habits that demonstrate that we are children of God Almighty!
This continues the study of Psalm 119. (Start the series here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2017/09/study-of-psalm-119-psalm-1191.html)
God Provides (by Rhonda Sawtelle)
Psalm 119: God's Word....
vs. 1, 2: Provides Joy
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,who seek Him with the whole heart!Psalm 119:2
Blessed: happy, joyful; blessed the perfect in way
Keep: guard with fidelity, keep, observe
Testimonies: always of laws as divine testimonies or solemn charges
Seek Him: seek deity (the true God) in prayer and worship
Whole: (in) all manner, every
Heart: the inner man, indefinite, soul, comprehending mind, affections and will
What am I passionate about? What motivates me? What will I sacrifice for?
The answer or answers to those questions will show where my focus is, and what is important to me. For those are things for which I am willing to devote my time, my money, and my mind to — they take forefront in my life.
Where does God fit in to my life? Do I consider His Word important? Do I observe and guard with fidelity that things which He says? Do I really seek, look for and spend time worshiping Him? Do I love Him with my entire being? Does loving and obeying God consume my thoughts, wills, and desires?
If I want to be happy, than I must make sure that God is that one I am seeking. My thoughts, actions, attitude should be filtered through God's Word.
And what does the Lord require of you — to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
