Study of Psalm 119. Psalm 119:19

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. 19: Provides Perception

I am a stranger in the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me. Psalm 119:19

Stranger: temporary dweller, new-comer with no inherited rights

Hide: be absent, conceal, keep secret

Not: never, no

Commandments: which was commanded, law, ordinance, precept

The feeling is that of one in a strange land who would desire, if possible, to keep up constant communications with his home - his family, his friends, his kindred there. On earth, the place of our sojourning - of our pilgrimage - the friend of God desires to have constant contact with heaven, his final home; not to be left to the desolate feeling that he is cut off from all contact with that world where he is forever to dwell. (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible)

Although I live on earth, I know that I will one day live with God for all eternity. Therefore, as I live on earth I need to remember to whom I belong (God) and that I have a job to do (honor and glorify God). In order to do that, I must keep my focus on God and His Word. 

Impact for Eternity!

Impact for Eternity!

Ruth 4:13-22

"The passage is given by Matthew word for word in the genealogy of Christ, that we may see that this history looks not so much to David as to Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed by all as the Saviour and Redeemer of the human race, and that we may learn with what wonderful compassion the Lord raises up the lowly and despised to the greatest glory and majesty" (Brentius).

Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament

As I read the conclusion to the Book of Ruth, I had to stop and think of the importance of Ruth and all that took place to get her where she needed to be to fully accomplish God's plan. 

I also think of Ruth's willingness to do the "right thing" and do it well, not even knowing the full significants her actions. Reminds me of others throughout Scripture that God used because they where willing to do the "right thing". 

As I look back over my life, I think of all God has done, and the people He used to supply my needs, bless me, and encourage me. People who were willing to do the right thing—the God honoring way—put themselves in the position to not only bless others, but to be used by God to fulfill His purpose and plan. 

Another aspect of doing the right thing, is that often we don't see the ripple effects it has on others or in years to come. There were many generations and years between the birth of Obed and the birth of Jesus Christ. God was able to use Ruth to accomplish His will over many generations. That's the exciting aspect of doing the right thing—the God honoring way. One can have an impact for eternity! 

When my heart is permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31 MSG), it makes me wiling and able to do the right thing—the God honoring way, and then in turn, bless others and have an impact for eternity! 

Unspent Joy

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 90. Here is what I learned.

Make us glad in proportion to the days in which You have afflicted us and to the years in which we have suffered evil. Psalm 90:15 (AMP)

We have seen years of ·trouble [harm; hurt]. Now give us as ·much [many days of] joy as you gave us ·sorrow [affliction]. Psalm 90:15 (EXB)

You have spent many days afflicting us with pain and sorrow; now match those with years of unspent joy. Psalm 90:15 (VOICE)

As have been our sorrows, so let our joys be great and long. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us - Let the one correspond with the other. Let our occasions of joy be measured by the sorrows which have come upon us. As our sufferings have been great, so let our joys and triumphs be. And the years wherein we have seen evil - Affliction and sorrow. They have been continued through many wearisome years; so let the years of peace and joy be many also. Barnes' Notes

“How can you smile, when you are in pain?” That’s a phrase I like to hear. For it lets me know that I’m allowing God’s goodness to shine through. 

It’s much easier to focus on the pain and trouble, especially when you are in the very midst of it, rather than seeing God’s goodness. Yes, even in what we would call “trouble” God is at work. 

And I know that no matter how many years I live in pain (and trouble) on Earth, God has an amazing Eternity waiting for me... pain free and rejoicing and praising God! 

To create a positive day, I need to look beyond the pain and troubles of now, and rest secure that “unspent joy” will be mine for eternity! 

Temporary Becomes Permanent

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 15. Here is what I learned.

Lord, who shall dwell [temporarily] in Your tabernacle? Who shall dwell [permanently] on Your holy hill? Psalm 15:1 (AMP)

Lord, who may ·enter [dwell/abide/sojourn in] your Holy Tent [the Tabernacle]? Who may live on your holy mountain [Mount Zion]? Psalm 15:1 (EXB)

Two words for dwell are used in Psalm 15:1:

dwell: dwell for a (definite or indefinite) time. 

dwell: to reside or permanently stay. 

As I read this verse this morning, what came to mind is how I view temporary. Sometimes we are glad for “temporary” such as with dealing with pain. When pain become permanent... that is often hard to accept. Other times, temporary can provide help while we wait for the permanent, as in a temporary crown that the Dentist provides. 

As I read Psalm 15:1, I realized that the temporary is to prepare us for the permanent. Eternity is a long time! And throughout eternity we will be praising and worshiping God Almighty. During this temporary period on earth, I need to be practicing worshiping and praising God. I’d like to be ‘prepared’ for when the temporary become permanent! 

To create a positive day, I need to make sure I’m engaged in worshiping and honoring God, so that when the temporary becomes permanent, I’m ready! 

Now and on the Day I Die

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 146. Here is what I learned.

·When people die [Their spirit goes out], they ·are buried [return to the ground]. ·Then all of [On that day] their plans ·come to an end [perish]. Psalm 146:4 (EXB)

When they breathe their last breath, they return to the ground. On that day their plans come to an end. Psalm 146:4 (GW)

As soon as their breath leaves them, they return to the earth; on that day, all of them perish—their dreams, their plans, and their memories. Psalm 146:4 (VOICE)

Last night a NASCAR driver was killed in a Sprint Car dirt track race. Only 37 years old. Sad. But it’s a reminder that death can happen at anytime. It’s often unexpected and not in our plans. 

At the time of death our plans, dreams, etc, won’t matter. What does matter is our relationship with God. He doesn’t look at “how good we’ve been”, or “all the good things we’ve done”, because no matter how “good” we think we are, compared to a Holy God we are just sinners. 

But thankfully, God provided a way for us to have our sins forgiven. 

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([a]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. John 3:16 (AMP)

I know that when I die, I will enter Heaven, because I’ve placed my faith in God and accepted His gift of salvation. That’s an assurance that is comforting. 

As I live my life, I need to keep in mind, my plans and activities will come to an end. I need to sure that I’m involved in “eternal work”, work that will last, things that matter to God. “Stop storing up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal.  Instead, store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust don’t destroy and thieves don’t break in and steal.  Your heart will be where your treasure is. Matthew 6:19-21 (GW)

My life is coming to an end, and it is now time for me to be poured out as a sacrifice to God. I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. The prize that shows I have God’s approval is now waiting for me. The Lord, who is a fair judge, will give me that prize on that day. He will give it not only to me but also to everyone who is eagerly waiting for him to come again. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (GW)

Knowing that I’m saved for all eternity, and doing God’s work, will create a positive day.. now and on the day I die. 

Time Frame

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 90. Here is what I learned.

A thousand years to you are like one day; they are like yesterday, already gone, like a short hour in the night. Psalm 90:4 (GNT)

Time. At times it seems that time literally stands still, while other moments fly by. Time. 24 hours in a day. 7 days in a week. 52 weeks in a year. 

A Thousand years, like a day. 365000 days is just like ONE day. That’s hard to grasp in my small mind. But if I really think about it... it sure makes me understand a “waiting period” a bit more. 

I’m waiting on a surgery date, to remove the broken spinal implant stimulator. I feel likes it’s been “FOREVER” but it really has only been a few weeks... and I learned yesterday, that I’ll have to wait a few more days/weeks until I learn the date... than it’s more waiting until that date arrives. 

I’m not a good “waiter”, as I’ve stated before. I like to move full-steam ahead! However, God continues to teach me that I have a lot to learn in God’s waiting room. 

A thousand years are like one day. When I think of that fact... that God is not bound by our time, the waiting period really isn’t about “time” rather it’s about what works best in God’s plan. In the eternal scope of eternity, God’s plan continues and my life is but a “blip” on the screen, if you will. 

Today. 24 hours. One day. May seem like eternity to me.... yet, it’s not even a second in God’s perspective. I have a choice, fret about something taking soooo long, or relax and allow God to accomplish His plan... in His time frame. A second really isn't that long of a time, neither is a day or two, in light of eternity. 

God is not bound by my time frame, rather He works in the scope of eternity. And when I stop measuring time and relax knowing that God will accomplish His will according to His plan, that is when I can create a positive day. 

Broke My Bank..literally!

This morning, I broke my bank. It was a bank I've used for 34 years; a glass elephant. I used the bank for my loose change. When it was full, I'd take the coins to my bank and use the money for fun stuff. Over the years, the money has bought me many things.. and even gifts for others. But as I started thinking about what I actually bought with the money...to be honest, I couldn't remember a single thing!! Wow! I saved money for 34 years, and don't remember what I bought with it.

That reminded me of Matthew 6:20, "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Am I storing up treasure in heaven? The next verse reads: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Where is my treasure and where is my heart?

I'm going to get a new bank, and continue storing up my loose change. But I hope the next 34 years, I spend the money on something worthwhile enough that I remember it. And I'm going to work harder at storing up treasure in heaven...that's something I'll remember for ETERNITY!

More important than creating a positive day, is creating a day in which I glorify God. As I go about my day, I should be serving God through my actions and attitude. Keeping my heart focused on God and living for Him will put a positive spin on any day!