DEVOTIONAL 02/18/2024
Psalm 119
65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
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If we search the whole world, there is not one man that is righteous. Only God is righteous and holy. Man is prone to go astray as the writer of this Psalm did go astray (Psalm 119: 67), but “the wages of sin is death (Romans 6: 23). Sin attracts diseases, failure, affliction, and problems. A wise man would quickly recognize his sinful acts and repent of his sin instead of whining “Why me?” when troubles come. Troubles can occur to people in the house of God. Contrary to what popular preachers say that God will not punish us, He will. Indeed, He sometimes punishes us harshly for our sin. However, it is better for us to correct our way before we die and go to hell. His chastisement is a way for us to examine our conducts.
Psalm 119
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
The writer of the Psalm acknowledges that the affliction that is put over him helps him to learn God’s statutes.
Many times, God causes much affliction and pain on people so that they will stop sinning and seek God for help. Sadly, people will not repent even with a life of agony and find some quick fixes for their problems elsewhere.
Affliction can be an eye-opener and humbling experience to show that we are vulnerable and nobody without God’s blessing.
Good news is that God will forgive us if we repent and return to His instructions.
The writer shows us a pattern of youth that he may trespass God’s law. It does not matter about the age because even an old man may sin against God as well, but youth is emphasized here.
Psalm 119
9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
Whether you are an old person or a young person or a child, it is advisable that we all must abide in His word. Judgment does not discriminate and does not spare any ages when awareness of sin occurs.
When we practice God’s Words, we must remember to practice them in fullness and in diligence. God will not accept half-hearted repentance, partial service, and lukewarmness.
Psalm 119
1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
Here, we see the writer educating us about devotion “with the whole heart” (Psalm 119: 2) and keeping His precepts diligently (Psalm 119: 4). That means at any moment, we must be cautious of our actions. Like a soldier who diligently watches for danger from the enemy, we must watch out for slipping away moments. Imagine if the soldier is negligent for one second. The enemy may be able to attack not only him but also the whole army behind him. We must have that mentality with sin. We must make a commitment to be sin-proof for the rest of our lives. It is not an easy task. Otherwise, hell would be empty right now. However, it is achievable with the grace of Christ and our submission to His orders in our lives.
Sam Christian
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Acknowledgements
Vocabulary and grammar checks were done with the help of Collinsdictionary.com, Microsoft Word, and Google Docs.
The Bible used is the King James Version by Christian Art Publishers, PO Box 1599, Vereeniging, 1930, RSA (King James Version Bible Large Print Thinline Edition, 2016). Some texts were inspired by boldfaced words from this Bible book. Some parts of this work may be inspired during attendance at Deeper Life Bible Church, Bronx, New York.
Style of quotation followed partly the APA style-7th edition.
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