Scripture: Psalm 119:17-24

Gimel

Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey your word.

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me.

My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.

You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed, those who stray from you commands.

Remove from me their scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes.

Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees.

Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.

Observation:

Love the first verse, be good to me so I can obey your word. Easy to praise God when things are going well. Sometimes so hard when times are tough. What are people seeing in me? There are a lot of people who I know think the Gospel is a fairy tale, and cannot fathom the thought of being a follower of Christ. I get it, I was there once. And they will slander and scorn and laugh and make fun of me given the chance. Interesting the word meditate pops up again. The solution to the fear of persecution you is to step back and mediate on God’s word. Don’t retaliate, don’t argue, don’t fight. Ponder God’s word. Allow God’s word to be your delight. Allow the word of God to counsel you, to comfort you.

Application:

Again, the idea of stepping back a moment and meditating on the Word is intriguing to me. My defence mode comes up when I hear people slandering God, or writing comments trying to call us as Christians brainwashed fools. Don’t allow myself to get sucked into this fight. Step back, meditate on the word, delight in it. Allow the Holy Spirit to do the fighting for me. Why does everything seem so simple?

Prayer:

God, yes, open my eyes to see new and wonderful things in your law. Lord, help me not get distracted or afraid of those who want to tear me down or condemn me for my mistakes and shortcomings, but rather help me find delight in your word, help me find joy in your law. Your word is exciting and may it come alive for me in a new way this week. Thank you Jesus for your incredible faithfulness. Amen.