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. 9: Provides Purity (Sanctification)
How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. Psalm 119:9
How can: what end, what good, purpose
Cleanse: make or keep clean, pure
His way: of mode of living, or of character
Taking heed: guard, to protect, attend to
Your word: advice, answer, message
The ruin of young men is either living at large (or by no rule at all) or choosing to themselves false rules: let them ponder the path of their feet, and walk by scripture-rules; so their way shall be clean, and they shall have the comfort and credit of it here and for ever. (Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible)
The lack of respect for God and His word, is very evident in our society today. The idea that laws/rules don't apply to me has created a generation of godless and selfish people. The longer we as individuals and as a Nation continue to ignore God and His word, we will continue to decline and chaos will continue to reign.
Want to clean up your act? Than pay attention to and guard God's advice.
September 10, 2017 Irma headed to Florida. She decided to travel inland rather than stay along the coast. However, due to her size, the entire State was impacted. I live in Winter Haven.
As Irma approached the winds and rain began with a vengeance. This was not an ordinary rain shower.
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| The beginning of Irma. |
Slowly, power in the area began to go out. I had power until 9:55pm Sunday night. The wind howling, the rain hitting the windows, and not being able to see anything—total darkness....... I thought I'd be scared, yet I had total peace.
I knew for a fact that all the inhabitants of the Castle belonged to God. And I knew for a fact that the Castle is God's. So, I figured that God who controls the wind, could protects us. And if He didn't, then He'd take care of anything that happened. I have learned over the years, that God is trustworthy and faithful. He may not always work in ways that I understand, but He never changes who He is. All that He does and allows is to accomplish His will.
After losing power, I figured there wasn't really anything to do, so I headed to bed. Listening to the storm outside, I fell asleep. Throughout the night, as the howling increased and the trees came crashing down, I awoke. However, I was able to go back to sleep.
Monday morning, it was still raining and very windy! Yet, as the day lightened, I could begin to see the damage that Irma did. Out the front window, I could see part of the pool fence was down, and there were some small branches scattered on the front lawn. But the huge tree in the front was still standing tall!
When I looked out the Lanai..... WOW! Behind my back fence is a "forest" of trees. There was a path of trees that was totally shorn off at the top, with huge branches just thrown about. However, not a single large branch landed in the Castle's yard! Only a few small branches and leaves. Even the bean tressels which were just a few feet from the trees, remained standing tall!
It was as though God put a huge bubble around the Castle. Debris was scattered around, but no flooding, or damage to the Castle. I learned on Monday, that the street drain had become plugged with debris and there was at one point, knee-deep water in the street. It flooded a couple of the homes garages. A neighbor cleaned out the drain and allowed the water to quickly drain away, before it was deep enough to flood the Castle's garage.
As the storm continued to pass through the area, I then realized just how calm and at peace I really was. I wasn't afraid. I felt totally safe in the Castle. The peace wasn't because of anything I did to make the Castle safe. The peace was due to the fact that I fully trusted God and knew His power and ability. I knew that no matter what happened to the Castle, that God would supply my needs. He always has, and always will.
True peace in the midst of a Category 2 Hurricane — only because I know Almighty 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. 7, 8: Provides Results
I will keep Your statutes; oh, do not forsake me utterly! Psalm 119:8
Will Keep: observe, celebrate, of other obligations
Statutes: something prescribed or owed
Forsake: leave destitute
Not: never, no, nor
(Very) utterly: up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly; as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space, or time (during, while, until) or degree
O forsake me not utterly - Hebrew, “To very much;” so as to leave me to myself. His confidence that he would keep the commandments of God was based on the prayer that God would not leave him. There is no other ground of persuasion that we shall be able to keep the commandments of God than that which rests on the belief and the hope that He will not leave us. (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible)
Since God will not forsake or leave, then we with all confidence should continue to observe His Word.
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
God keeps His promises. He is faithful. He will not forsake us. That does not mean that we won't have difficulties, or heartache. Rather that God will continue to love us through those times. No matter what happens, God is still God.
Because God is God, He is not only trustworthy, but He is faithful. Therefore, I will continue to observe and fulfill any obligations honoring God Almighty and remaining faithful to Him.
God will not forsake me – for one day I will enjoy Him in all His glory in Heaven for all eternity! And that is a gift He gives to all, paid for by the sacrifice of His own Son. (John 3)
