Week Four
Previous Devotion
In the first 7 verses of the magnificent Psalm 119, we discovered that we are happy when we walk in praise before God blamelessly and that praise prepares our hearts for understanding God’s purposes for us.
All men and women of God have a healthy appreciation for God, and of His worthiness to accept praise. Sometimes, however, we are so struck with His holiness, and our total depravity that we become frightened and intimidated. Apparently, this happened to David, for we read in verse in verse 8 says:
8 I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.
Here the psalmist exerts his will—this we must all do!—he will obey God’s commandments.
Then in a most transparent way he says, “Do not forsake me.” We should not let this confuse us. God has no intention of forsaking him. He will never forsake us. It is we who forsake him! Jesus assured us that he will never leave or forsake us. Yet, there are times from a human perspective that we sometimes feel as if God has forsaken us. However, we must remember when interpreting this Psalm that God is not speaking here, except in an indirect way. These are the words of the psalmist. His doubts. His frustrations. His desires.
In another part of the Bible the Prophet Isaiah says,
(18) Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. (19) If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; (Isa. 1:18, 19(a)
That is God’s message to us.
Therefore, let us all determine that we will not just give lip service to God, but really following and obey Him with all of our hearts. If we do, we shall be blessed.
Prayer
Father, today we confess that we do not always follow in obedience. Sometimes, we must admit, it seems more reasonable to us to fudge a little, perhaps, even tell a fib, or play the role of a hypocrite. These are not easy sins to confess, but we realize that it is necessary to walk straight and upright before you in obedience at all times, if we want your blessings. Therefore, give us the strength of heart to obey you at all times, under the most diverse circumstances. In Christ name we pray. Amen
________________________________________
Previous Devotion
All men and women of God have a healthy appreciation for God, and of His worthiness to accept praise. Sometimes, however, we are so struck with His holiness, and our total depravity that we become frightened and intimidated. Apparently, this happened to David, for we read in verse in verse 8 says:
8 I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.
Here the psalmist exerts his will—this we must all do!—he will obey God’s commandments.
Then in a most transparent way he says, “Do not forsake me.” We should not let this confuse us. God has no intention of forsaking him. He will never forsake us. It is we who forsake him! Jesus assured us that he will never leave or forsake us. Yet, there are times from a human perspective that we sometimes feel as if God has forsaken us. However, we must remember when interpreting this Psalm that God is not speaking here, except in an indirect way. These are the words of the psalmist. His doubts. His frustrations. His desires.
In another part of the Bible the Prophet Isaiah says,
(18) Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. (19) If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; (Isa. 1:18, 19(a)
That is God’s message to us.
Therefore, let us all determine that we will not just give lip service to God, but really following and obey Him with all of our hearts. If we do, we shall be blessed.
Prayer
Father, today we confess that we do not always follow in obedience. Sometimes, we must admit, it seems more reasonable to us to fudge a little, perhaps, even tell a fib, or play the role of a hypocrite. These are not easy sins to confess, but we realize that it is necessary to walk straight and upright before you in obedience at all times, if we want your blessings. Therefore, give us the strength of heart to obey you at all times, under the most diverse circumstances. In Christ name we pray. Amen
________________________________________
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