July 24, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in selections from Psalms? Here’s today’s reading:
Psalms 119:121-176 (NIV)
ע Ayin
121 I have done what is righteous and just;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Ensure your servant’s well-being;
do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
looking for your righteous promise…...Continue Reading
Reflecting on love for God’s commands considering them to be good…
Dependence on His word is expressed through this whole chapter. The importance of His words. The life changing power of spending time in His words. The need for His words for direction. But most of all how if we spend time in His word and if His words are forever in our hearts and minds it does not mean we won’t suffer and it doesn’t mean life will go smoothly but there is assurance we do not go through it alone. It is a reminder of the power we have access to when we put our dependence on Chris and most important there is confidence that there is so much more after this life to look forward to that any trial here on earth seems meaningless in relation to the paradise to come!
Honestly, it seems to me that this psalm could have been written by many in today’s Christian community. The references to statutes, precepts and the law aside, the writer seems to be relying on the promises of God and His faithfulness in much the same way as we do today. In addition, he is ridiculed by the adversaries of God and praised and honored by those who love God and His word. Again similar to what we experience today.
Can we be comforted by the end of verse 168: “…for all my ways are known to you”? I think so if we love him with all our heart, mind and soul.
Psalm 119 121-176
The emphasis in this portion of Psalm 119 on those who reject the law of God and the prayers that go out to God for God to act on His promises as well as God drawing the believer to His word in light of those who disobey really stuck out to me. We certainly live in a world that cares little of the things of God and more and more consider it a badge of honor to defy Him. And yet what benefit we see in adhering and following the word of God and letting it produce in us all the discernment, joy and blessing written of here. How our lives and thinking are changed when we dedicate ourselves to consistent exposure to the thoughts, principles and accounts of God found throughout the Bible. Let us all encourage others to join us in what is helping all of us engage with the word more consistently and more deeply. At least that is what it is doing for me….
I just lost everything that I was writing. Psalm 119;121–176 are great verses. Psalm 199;124 [ Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.] For God is merciful and not man. Verse 126 [ It is time for thee, Lord to work; for they have made void thy law.] Apparently the people were turning away from God`s teaching and falling away into sin. Verse 133 [ Order my steps in thy word; and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.] We have to be careful how we walk looking to Jesus. Verse 140 [ Thy word is very pure; therefore thy servant loveth it.] Did you ever notice how when you pick up the word of God and pray for His wisdom and understanding that there is a purifying of effect on your soul/ This is only with God`s Holy Word. Verse 143 [ Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me; yet thy commandments are my delights.] Even in tough times God can encourage us. Whether through sickness, misunderstandings, or anything else that might attack us, or even our families doing wrong not listening to our advice. What ever it may be God is waiting for us to speak to us through His word. Another verse that shares some of this is verse 153 [ Consider mine affliction, and deliver me; for I do not forget thy law.] Here`s a verse that His word is true from the beginning. Verse 160 [ Thy word is true from the beginning; and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.] God has always been from the beginning and so has His word. He is always true for He is truth. There s no truth but His. Then finally in verse 169b [ O Lord give me understanding according to thy word.] We should always be asking God for His wisdom. There are Christians in this world who have asked for His wisdom and He has granted it. Yours truly who struggled to get a c average in High School but did graduate in 1972. Not realizing that I had a learning disability. It was dyslexia which is a reading problem. Although is isn`t bad but it is enough to flip words and letters. I try not to talk of it very much and I know I am a smart man. In high school I thought that I was stupid and had to work hard for everything. So when I got saved and turned my life over to God, He gave me His wisdom. Of course it wasn`t until the Lord led me to Bible school that I found out what it was. This why I have said in a previous statement that anyone can memorize the word of God. And God helped me to memorize thousands of scriptures. Just think of the difficulty of trying to do this without God. He alone enables. The same with reading music. It is Him that makes all things possible. Give God the glory for great things He has done.
Psalms 119:121-176
Psalm 119:162
I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure.
Lol. You can cancel some of these. It kept saying my message was duplicate and it wasn’t.
I just binged reading the Psalms 119. I felt humbled by the devotion of the author. I also prayed along with the Psalm to bestow on me that conviction of belief in the One True God. I will be reading these passages again and again.
Good idea, Penny!
The psalmist has a strong desire to follow the ways of the Lord. He does not want to be put to shame for disobeying God; he does not want to be forsaken by him. He strives to seek him with all his heart, live according to his word, praise him, rejoice in his instruction, and meditate on his word. God reveals his will to us as we read the Bible and meditate on is word. We can do this is by sitting quietly, relaxing our body, and taking deep breaths while letting it saturate our mind. “Be still and know that I am God.” We receive a blessing of peace, comfort and the assurance of God’s presence when we practice it.