Lord, Lord....

 Matthew 7:21–29 (ESV): 

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ 

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” 

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. 

Even those who talk about Jesus, do good things, work hard for the Church, are involved in miracles and can explain the gospel may not make it to heaven. This is what God's own son, Jesus, is saying. Even those who may have witnessed miracles, signs, wonders, incredible answers to prayer and spiritual freedom coming to others may miss out on the Kingdom of God. How is that possible? Those who seem to have incredible experiences of faith, even prestigious leaders, preachers and worshippers that you admire may not be as close to God as they seem. They might be gifted, sing beautifully, work hard, speak or teach well, serve or give sacrificially but be in danger of missing out on entering God’s house and even be rejected, why? 

Do you see the argument the people put forward in this piece of Scripture? “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?” The things that they have been involved in they believe are their own doing. “did we not…” the emphasis is on them, not on God. It is almost like they use the name of God or His Son as a magic word rather than The Name that is above all names which carries all authority, love and power. They belittle the name of The Almighty and increase their own self worth, “did we not…”. The attitude of those who Jesus does not recognise is that they are somebody important - they have done good and great things in God's name. They take the credit for prophesying, casting out demons, and doing mighty works. The credit they take for themselves, they do not give the glory to God. Instead they become great in their own eyes.

Yet it is God who has allowed these people to witness miracles of salvation, hearing His voice, and people freed from demonic powers. However they have not recognised that it is God’s power that achieves these things. Those Jesus rejects are those who take the credit for the works of God and falsely believe in their own worth and importance in God’s realm. Their attitude is that, yes maybe they do believe in God, but they also believe in the power and capability in themselves too. Rather than crediting God with the incredible things they have had opportunity to be involved with or witness, they believe in the power of ME. Are you in the same danger as them? 

Do you REALLY believe that God has done the things you have witnessed, heard about and been involved in? Do you credit God with the works in your life and the lives of others, or are you taking some of the acclamation and gratitude for yourself? Only you and God know what you secretly think, so it is worth being honest with yourself now before you end up face to face with Jesus! For he will either welcome you or reject you dependent upon how you have lived your life. 

Only you and God know the truth. 

Does God really get the glory in your heart and mind or are you holding back some for yourself? Jesus says about such people, “I never knew you; depart from me”. Instead of investing in the glamour and acclaim of works and wonders, are you investing your time getting to know Jesus? Does God really get the priority in your life? It is the simple things like prayer and obeying Scripture, keeping your word, adjusting your life to honour God more, learning to love others as Jesus did. The understated, often unnoticed commitments that you make in your everyday life that show if you are someone who really knows Jesus. Like how you spend your time, make decisions, or what your priorities are. These reveal if God really is King in your life and if you are honouring and taking time to get to know Him. 

Does God get your gratitude and your time? Is he allowed to challenge your decisions and attitudes in order for you to become more Christ-like? Do you live in more fear of Him than anyone or anything else?

Those who make an effort to get to know Jesus, learn to walk and talk like him will be recognised and welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven. Are you living like you want to be there?

Do not overthink it

 Matthew 2:19–23 (ESV): 

19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene. 

What a journey Jesus has been on already as a child, and Joseph and Mary as a married couple and new parents! First they both had to go to Bethlehem for a census where Jesus was born, next God told them to go to Egypt, and then a few years later, they headed back to Israel to the area of Galilee. This family were displaced foreigners, having to do their best to survive in difficult and scary circumstances. 

I wonder how Joseph and Mary managed to communicate in Egyot, did Jesus grow up learning Arabic as well as Hebrew in his early years? For Joseph and Mary, turning up in this strange country one day, it must have been pretty overwhelming and scary, having traveled for days to get there. Then, they were told by God they could return to their own country. It must have been a relief to them both to end up in Nazareth, the town where they had grown up, met and married. After so many years away, to return to a familiar place, with some familiar people must have been comforting. Yet, when they were first told to go back to Israel, they were not sure where to go. They initially considered going back to Judea, maybe even back to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. They did not know where exactly they were going, just that God had said to return to Israel. Even on the journey and when they arrived they were not quite sure where to go. God seems to have revealed to them in part, and they obeyed even though they did not know what the fullness of God’s plan looked like. They trusted God would look after them, lead them, and provide them a home, and He did. 

As Mary and Joseph return to Israel, this is the first time we read about any emotions of Joseph. The text says ‘he was afraid to go there’ (to Judea). Jospeh would have heard about the ‘weeping and loud lamentation’ that had occurred in Judea, the couple would have probably known people who had suffered the tragedy of their children being murdered. I am sure Joseph’s concern grew as they got nearer - if they go back to Bethlehem, Jesus would likely be one of the only boys of his age in the area due to what Herod had decreed, plus Herod’s son was in power, so would he now re-birth the decree? No wonder Joseph was afraid. It would not have been difficult for this young family to have been found out, reported, and all be put to death. God saw Jospeh’s reasonable fear, and He spoke to him and directed the family to live in Galilee. This is how they ended up residing in Nazareth, a small, relatively unknown rural village. This must have been a relief for a couple whose child’s life had been sought, and who had spent years surrounded by unfamiliar and foreign things and people. They could now live in quietude, able to work and do family life in a familiar community. Yet they only returned there because they obeyed God.

In all this God was fulfilling His plan. The Messiah had been prophesied to be; born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) and ‘out of Egypt I called my son’ (Hosea 11:1), so even before Jesus was 5, he was fulfilling the promises of God - Just by being a child, going where his parents were going and breathing! It is not coincidence, but God-ordained purpose that circumstances caused the movement of this family. God was in control. He planned, listened and cared about this one family, just like He cares for you and your life. Things will happen that don’t seem to make sense, there are terrible tragedies, times when you have to move on, go into places of busy-ness and quietness. Do not overthink it. Instead, trust that God is fulfilling His purposes for your life and His kingdom as He did for Joseph, Mary and Jesus. Jesus was clearly being taught about the importance of hearing and obeying God from his parents. It was not easy for them, but when God spoke, they did what He asked, even when they did not understand or see the full picture. Unknowingly, they were preparing their son for the biggest sacrifice and step of obedience that he would have to make for the sins of the world. So, whatever you are facing today, tomorrow or in the future, listen to God and obey Him. Do not focus on the circumstances as much as the One who is using all things to fulfill His purposes and plans. Allow God to guard and direct your steps as he did for this small, young, refugee family and see what God can do in and through your life.

Listen and Obey

 When Jesus was born he was honoured by wise men from another land, the Roman governor hears this baby being referred to as ‘king of the Jews’, angels and divine dreams were involved - not many other births have been heralded in this way! It is amazing how the heavenly realms were so involved in letting the people of Earth know who this child was even before he was born. It isn’t just at Jesus birth that supernatural and heavenly things happen. The next passage continues to explain another intervention of God into Jesus’ life when he was still young, and we shall consider the impact this has on Joseph, Mary and Jesus;

 2:13–18 (ESV): 

13 Now when they (the wise men) had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 

 18  “A voice was heard in Ramah, 

weeping and loud lamentation, 

  Rachel weeping for her children; 

she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” 

The wise men had obeyed God by not telling Herod about where Jesus was and heading home in a different direction. This made Herod furious as he had to think of a plan to not be usurped by this ‘king of the Jews’ that had been born. God knows the hearts, minds and plans of all, so he knew what Herod’s next move would be. God then warns Joseph and gives him clear instructions to run away to Egypt. This would have been confusing and difficult for Joseph and Mary. They would probably just be getting used to bringing up their son by then, settled into navigating newly married life and becoming parents, and God says go. Joseph did not delay, he did not understand why, but he obeyed God straight away. Joseph trusted that God’s way was right, even though i am sure the last thing Jospeh wanted to do was upheave his small, young family and head off to another nation. It does not always seem convenient when God speaks and tells you to do something, but do you obey anyway like Joseph did? 

Jospeh heard God, and got ready to leave without knowing what was going to occur in the area. Joseph went ‘by night’ to Egypt with Mary and Jesus. I wonder what she made of the decision. I wonder if she just followed her husband because she knew how Joseph had been obedient and faithful before through a dream. She knew the character of Joseph, so did she just compliantly go? Mary and Joseph are a great example of a God-fearing couple. Upheaving their lives because God says so, saying “yes” to God seems to be their motivation, and look at the impact they have had on the World! They even went to Egypt, the place God has commanded His people not to go to, ‘The Lord has said to you, O remnant of Judah, ‘Do not go to Egypt.’ Know for a certainty that I have warned you this day’ (Jeremiah 42:19). Joseph would have known this command of God from the Old Testament. Joseph was clearly a devout Jew, so would have been aware of what the Scriptures taught. ‘Do not go to Egypt’ is clear, and God says it is a warning, yet now God is commanding this newly formed family to go to a place they have no community support, to a place they are not meant to be as God’s people. Maybe Joseph obeyed because he knew God had spoken and he had already seen God do some unusual things like make a virgin pregnant and send foreign men to give gifts to Jesus. So, maybe Joseph didn’t overthink too much and just knew he had to do what God said to do now. Sometimes we can over complicate things and persuade ourselves that maybe God didn’t really mean…. maybe he meant i should do that sometime…or maybe i just didn’t hear right. Joseph did not allow his own thoughts, concerns or history dictate what God could do now. He listened and obeyed, Mary trusted and followed, Do you?

Look at the pain and grief Mary and Joseph were spared because they were obedient to God’s voice. Have you ever thought, that when you obey God’s Word it can save you from pain and distress? When you hear God speak, maybe through; angels, dreams, visions, stirring in your Spirit, other people, an audible voice, reading the Bible, through natural things or events, do you realise that His commands and words are for your benefit? It may be hard, you probably won’t really want to do it, but do you realise that through your obedience you can escape some of the hurt that is coming. Mary and Joseph in the moment would have realised the inconvenience and disruption, they even left at night which would have been scary and felt sneaky. They would have felt uncomfortable going to Egypt, a place where God had previously said he didn’t want His people going, they had no idea where they could stay, they could only take with them what they could carry on the long journey (at least a week), plus they had a small child with them!  Yet, even though they likely had all of these thoughts and concerns they trusted and followed God. The outcome was that although all of the nation then suffered immense grief as all of the male children under 2 were killed, Jesus was safe. Joseph and Mary were spared the pain of losing the child given to them because they  did what God had told them. 

When God tells you to do or not to do something, do you realise that it is for yuor benefit, more for your benefit than what you want to do or are already doing? God knows best. He sees the future and He cares about you, that is why He speaks to you, ignore Him at your peril! God wants your best, are you iiving your best life - one that is in humble submission and obedience to God? Joseph and Mary had trouble and disruption, confusion and promise in their lives. They continually trusted and followed God whatever He said next, even when it seemed ridiculous and strange. Will you do the same?

The character of Joseph

Having set the genealogy of Jesus, Matthew goes onto speak about his conception and birth. For the circumstances of the pregnancy and birth of this child were most unusual and miraculous:

Matthew 1:18–25 (ESV):

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 

 23  “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, 

and they shall call his name Immanuel” 

(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. 

This passage of Scripture shows a humble and righteous man in Joseph. He had probably waited for quite some time before getting to officially marry Mary, the betrothal process taking up to 2 years. In Israel at this time betrothal was a long period to allow for negotiations about bride price and arrangements for the marriage to be made. It was not a private agreement between two people either, families and the wider community would be aware when a man and woman were joined together in this way. During betrothal the couple were considered legally bound to one another already, it is much more than what we may understand an engagement to be. Betrothal is an official agreement, already binding two people together that can only be broken through divorce. It is a serious commitment, and this is what Joseph and Mary had entered into. This makes the circumstances of Mary becoming pregnant so serious and devastating for them both.

During this process of betrothal Joseph finds that his promised wife is pregnant. Not only that, but she has a most unusual story as to how! No wonder he initially thought about divorcing her, she not only has been unfaithful, but is lying about it. However, Joseph did not act rashly, he considered what to do. He clearly loved Mary as he was ‘unwilling to put her to shame’, he knew what treatment would befall her as an unmarried mother. Joseph, simply referred to as a ‘just man’ acted in a respectful and honourable manner towards Mary when he did not need to. Society would likely have responded in a very different way. If she wasn’t stoned to death, Mary would at least have been ostracised. Joseph did not want that for her. Instead, he chose to love her even in the way he ‘resolved’ what action to take. He could have humiliated and shamed Mary in front of her family and the whole community, yet he honours her instead. Even though Joseph must have been heartbroken; the promise of a wife, the awaited union, the hope of family to come, all shattered as he finds out his betrothed is pregnant and he had nothing to do with it. Yet Joseph did not act out of anger or fear, or even in concern for his reputation. Instead he considered and determined his course of action. This shows he was an honourable and considerate man, sensible, not prone to anger, and he didn’t just go along with cultural norms. Joseph desired to do the right thing by himself, Mary, and his community. Even before the angel appeared to him, we can see Joseph is a kind, generous and considered man who is slow to anger. He would make a good husband and father with those qualities, no wonder God chose him.

Then, the angel comes. The circumstances of the pregnancy are revealed, and Joseph, despite his own reservations, concerns and the likely whisperings of society, is obedient to God. He did as the angel told him as soon as he woke up! He had considered and delayed his course of action before then, but as soon as he knew God had spoken, he acted. What faith and faithfulness! He did the unthinkable really, he married a pregnant young woman who was not carrying his child! Yet he did it because God said so. It would not have been easy for Joseph. He would have had awkward conversations as Mary’s pregnancy became more obvious, there would be rumours, his reputation would be called into question as well as Mary’s. It must have been difficult for them both. However, both Joseph and Mary knew what had happened and were obedient to God, even though it was scary and they didn’t know who would believe them. 

Not only was Joseph obedient in marrying Mary, but even after the official wedding ceremony is complete, Joseph chooses not to consummate their marriage until after Jesus is born. He respects God so much that he puts aside himself, his rights and desires, in order to honour both God and Mary. What a humble, sacrificial man. Joseph shows himself to be a man committed to God and doing the right thing, even at his own expense. Kind, generous and faith-filled, obedient, slow to anger, considered and considerate. It is not surprising that God chose him to be the earthly father to His son. Out of painful and difficult circumstances, Joseph got to help mould and develop the Son of God. We can see that as a great privilege, which i am sure it was, but it did not come without pain and difficulty. Joseph was willing to deny himself in order to honour God and others. If you want to make an impact in the World for God’s Kingdom, are you willing to do the same; to be obedient to God even when it is inconvenient, painful and cross-cultural? God can call you to do some amazing things, but do you have the right character for it? Joseph did.

Obedience in the Yes and the No

 Psalm 132:1–18 (ESV): 

1  Remember, O Lord, in David’s favour, 

all the hardships he endured, 

 2  how he swore to the Lord 

and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob, 

 3  “I will not enter my house 

or get into my bed, 

 4  I will not give sleep to my eyes 

or slumber to my eyelids, 

 5  until I find a place for the Lord, 

a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.” 

 6  Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah; 

we found it in the fields of Jaar. 

 7  “Let us go to his dwelling place; 

let us worship at his footstool!” 

 8  Arise, O Lord, and go to your resting place, 

you and the ark of your might. 

 9  Let your priests be clothed with righteousness, 

and let your saints shout for joy. 

 10  For the sake of your servant David, 

do not turn away the face of your anointed one. 

 11  The Lord swore to David a sure oath 

from which he will not turn back: 

  “One of the sons of your body 

I will set on your throne. 

 12  If your sons keep my covenant 

and my testimonies that I shall teach them, 

  their sons also forever 

shall sit on your throne.” 

 13  For the Lord has chosen Zion; 

he has desired it for his dwelling place: 

 14  “This is my resting place forever; 

here I will dwell, for I have desired it. 

 15  I will abundantly bless her provisions; 

I will satisfy her poor with bread. 

 16  Her priests I will clothe with salvation, 

and her saints will shout for joy. 

 17  There I will make a horn to sprout for David; 

I have prepared a lamp for my anointed. 

 18  His enemies I will clothe with shame, 

but on him his crown will shine.”

God remembers His faithful servants, whether they be paupers, kings or anything inbetween. God remembers and watches with favour those who keep their promises to Him, like David did. God loves that kind of dedication, obedience and faithfulness, and He rewards it. God does not forget what He has said, what you have done, or your quiet, steadfast dedication to Him. It is you that forgets. 

David’s passion for God caused him to feel unsettled even though he had a beautiful mansion for a home. For he knew that in some place, unknown, God’s holy presence rested in the Ark of the Covenant. David’s desire was to bring the nation to worship God, how could this happen if the presence of God that went with the nation into exile and back, is lost? This is the reason David made such a promise in the first place. Once the Ark was discovered, there had to be a permanent abode for it that was fitting for the King of Kings. David, and his team started searching, and eventually, they found the right place. David’s passion for God desired that he and the whole nation would discover what living in the presence of God was like.  So, he made his oath not to sleep until The Lord had his dwelling place amongst the nation of Israel.

When you make a promise to God and are working to fulfill it, it isn't easy. There comes a point when you wonder why you began doing it, how long it will take, and if it will get any easier. I am sure David felt like that in his search for ‘a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob’. David was so dedicated to this task that he swore that he would have no sleep until he had achieved it (v4-5). That is a brave promise! When you make an oath to God, how can you fail to fulfill your word? How did David do it? It must have got difficult for him. He must have grown tired, disappointed and anxious about finding ‘a place for the Lord’. Yet he continued diligently to complete this mission. He didn't make do or give up, his love and dedication to God caused him ti succeed in his mission to serve God and the nation in this way. David would have become exhausted and despondent journeying and searching to provide the right place. Yet he did not give up, he continued his search diligently. He was faithful to his word to The Faithful One. Remember this dedication, and let it inspire you in how you follow God and keep your promises to Him. The passion can wane, the sense of calling wither away as the reality of the hardship sets in. I wonder how long David went without sleep before he achieved his aim. He kept going in his mission, he was dedicated and demonstrated how to put God first above personal comfort and desire. Do you do the same?

When the right location of the Ark was discovered, and the right spot for the temple to be built found, God spoke to David. He made a promise for the generations of his family to come, if they were to give their hearts to God as David had. David had proved his allegiance and devotion to God, and God chose to pronounce a blessing over him and his family. Isn't that a beautiful thing! Yet God also made clear to David, that although he had searched for the Ark of the Covenant, found it, and brought i to it's dwelling place, he would not be the one to build a permanent home for it. His son, Solomon would. After all of that effort, that dedication and discomfort that David went through, how do you imagine he felt hearing that? Disappointed, relieved, angry? However, despite his own personal emotional response, David honoured this instruction from God. He did not rush off and do it himself anyway although he was the one with the passion for the project. Instead, David humbly obeyed the instruction of The Lord. 

David understood that God ideas are better than his own, and that God should have a say in who, where and when the temple, his earthly dwelling place should be constructed. So, although David had sacrificed sleep and rest in his search for the location, it did not mean that he was the man to fulfill the rest of the mission. David had to lay aside his desire to see a house of God being built. David had the vision, the plans and collected the materials, but he stopped there because God said so. How obedient are you to God when He tells you to hand over responsibility or to stop doing something?

David shows beautiful obedience and submission to God. He was powerful and rich, he cold command armies, and builders, but God said no, so David obeyed. That takes a lot of strength and trust. David did not get to see the fulfilment of his work and investment into people or the kingdom of God. Yet he came to terms with it because He knew God is faithful and trustworthy, so he obeyed. David’s passion and humility led to a glorious temple being built in Jerusalem, where the nation of Israel could come to worship. David’s dedication permitted and invited others into God’s presence. Yet he never saw a stone be laid. Do you have that level of obedience to God? To live beyond yourself and your generation to build and prepare for the kingdom of God to come, for the people to come?

You can impact nations and places through the simple obedience to seeing through the things God has given you passion and permission for, and stopping there. What are you passionate about doing for The Lord? Submit your ideas and passions to Him, and trust Him even if His plans are different to yours. Then you will be blessed, and so will others for generations ot come. 

Following God is good for you

 Psalm 128:1–6 (ESV):  

1  Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, 

who walks in his ways! 

 2  You shall eat the fruit of the labour of your hands; 

you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. 

 3  Your wife will be like a fruitful vine 

within your house; 

  your children will be like olive shoots 

around your table. 

 4  Behold, thus shall the man be blessed 

who fears the Lord. 

 5  The Lord bless you from Zion! 

May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem 

all the days of your life! 

 6  May you see your children’s children! 

Peace be upon Israel! 

Following God is good for you. It naturally carries a blessing, just like an obedient child experiences the favour of their parents. Not that the child is preferred, but their good behaviour and character are appreciated, and so they know favour and blessing from their parents, rather than correction and discipline. The same goes for you in your relationship with God. If you walk in His ways and live in awe of Him, then you will be blessed.

Fearing God means living under His authority and being in reverence of Him. Doing so affects all parts of your life; work, marriage, relationships, values, goals, and the influence you have on future generations. Your relationships are affected because you are someone who fears God. This psalm tells how your wife will be ‘fruitful’ meaning that she will develop, grow and invest in others. Your children are like ‘olive shoots’ - they require tender care, but they have the potential to become strong, robust olive trees. This psalm just mentions two of the types of relationships you can have, and as you can see, there is a promise of blessing, growth and fruitfulness when you put God first. Following God is good for you, for those you live with, care about and invest in. 

‘You shall eat the fruit of the labour of your hands, you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you’. What a great assurance! As someone who lives God’s way, God gives you work to do, and it will go well. This does not promise that it will be easy, the word ‘labour’ implies putting in effort! Yet you can be assured that through your work, you will be provided for and 'it shall be well with you'. God has things for you to do, you have the privilege of working, whether for money or not. It could be home-based, voluntary, in the community, in business or industry, it doesn’t matter. God has provided work for you to do, have you ever considered that the opportunity to work is a gift from God? God has given you the chance to, 'eat the fruit of the labour of your hands'. He has created you to be useful, productive and provide for yourself. Following God in the way you work is good for you, because it leads to your provision, but it will also be good for those you work with and the organisation. For, if your workload is blessed, other people benefit, profits are made and good reputation is built. 

Yet, above all of this, the first thing that this psalm states is, ‘blessed is everyone who fears the Lord’. Regardless of your family situation or work situation, if you are someone who lives life following God, you are blessed! It doesn't always feel like it, but you have to remember that God is not looking at the immediate. Following God is good for you, now and long-term. You have the blessing of the freedom from sin, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and an eternal hope. As well as the internal security, peace, comfort and strength that comes from following God's ways. Obedience to God carries a blessing now and forever. Are you aware of the blessings in your life now, and for eternity?

Although following God is good for you, it is not easy, otherwise everyone would do it. You have to persevere, be willing to change and do the things you don't want to, plus you have to patiently wait for the blessing sometimes. Just like a child waiting for their birthday. The blessing will come, but you need to wait, and keep trusting that God will give you good things. He will bless you in your work, in your family, and through the generations. Keep following, trusting and believing in Him and His Word and wait for ‘blessed is everyone who fears the Lord’. How do you see that God has blessed you today?

Is God your Master?

 Psalm 123:1–4 (ESV):   

To you I lift up my eyes, 

O you who are enthroned in the heavens! 

 2  Behold, as the eyes of servants 

look to the hand of their master, 

  as the eyes of a maidservant 

to the hand of her mistress, 

  so our eyes look to the Lord our God, 

till he has mercy upon us. 

 3  Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, 

for we have had more than enough of contempt. 

 4  Our soul has had more than enough 

of the scorn of those who are at ease, 

of the contempt of the proud. 

How do you look at God? 

Do you look at Him as your Master? 

There are many terms which can be used to refer to God, which demonstrate aspects of His character and His role in our lives such as; Lord, Father, King, Master, Almighty, I am. Which titles of God do you use? Think about how that develops your understanding and expectations of Him. For all of the titles used are helpful and significant in helping you relate to God. He is so different, and so much more perfect than any of your experiences of what a good version of these titles are. The beauty, love, majesty and power of who God is can be displayed through using all of these titles as they profile specific attributes. Yet, sometimes it is easier or more comfortable to just lean into one or two of these, and so you miss the whole beauty of who God is.

I know that in Western society we are comfortable with referring to God as being Father and King. The problem with this is that most of us live in societies where fatherhood and kingship are not admired or respected in the way they once were. The king seems to have little power compared to the government in the UK or the kings of the past, and fathers are often unknown or absent. So, relating to God from this lens can be detrimental, as God could be seen as removed from your circumstances and with little influence. This is not a fair or true reflection of the love, might and presence that God has. Therefore it is good that God has many titles. You can then relate specific aspects of those roles to highlight the different virutes of God's character, and so receive a fuller picture of who He is. This psalm focuses on one such title, Master, which is one that i have observed seems to be rather overlooked in our society.

Regarding God as Master can be hard for us to relate to in the West, as we no longer live in a society where servants and masters are commonplace. It seems old fashioned, removed and irrelevant when we live in a society where equality is strived for. Yet it is a powerful truth that God is Master, so you need to somehow be able to comprehend the virtues of this role, in order to gain a greater understanding of who God is. The writer of this psalm helps us by showing us the beautiful interaction between master/mistress and servant. The servants ‘look to the hand of their master’ and ‘lift up my eyes’ to them. This clearly demonstrates that the servants live in submission to, and under the authority of their master or mistress. The servant awaits direction, even just the movement of the hand (v2) to know what they should do. They closely watch the movements and anticipate the needs of their master as they know it will go well for them when they respond rightly, and who knows what punishment will befall them if they do not?

Relating to God as Master acknowledges that you are a servant. That's not something that most of us like to think ourselves as, yet you are under the authority of the perfect Master when you live in submission to God. He is the One you need to look up to, observe carefully, and await direction from. If you are a follower of God, then you have a duty to be obedient to Him and serve Him. Believing in and loving God carry responsibility. Is this how you see God, and yourself? 

God is not a terrifying or terrible master, but a merciful one (v3). He will take care of you and treat you well, for He is the perfect Master. Therefore He makes sure the needs of His servants are met, and provides them with a shelter and an occupation. He will not harm you, disrespect you, embarrass you, forget you or let you down. He is perfectly good and trustworthy, and He is in charge and He knows best. You can trust Him to lead you well. 

Do you accept God as your Master? And will you respond to Him as His willing, watchful and waiting servant? 

Living a life of wisdom

 Psalm 119:97–104(ESV): 

Mem

 97  Oh how I love your law! 

It is my meditation all the day. 

 98  Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, 

for it is ever with me. 

 99  I have more understanding than all my teachers, 

for your testimonies are my meditation. 

 100  I understand more than the aged, 

for I keep your precepts. 

 101  I hold back my feet from every evil way, 

in order to keep your word. 

 102  I do not turn aside from your rules, 

for you have taught me. 

 103  How sweet are your words to my taste, 

sweeter than honey to my mouth! 

 104  Through your precepts I get understanding; 

therefore I hate every false way. 

Did you know that reading the Bible can make you wiser? 

When he was 12 years old Jesus out-smarted all the religious leaders in Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-52), and when he was an adult, those who heard him read and explain Scripture, were astonished at his teaching and understanding (Matthew 13:54, John 7:15). As the embodiment of the Word of God (John 1), Jesus' understanding and knowledge caused him to carry an authority and wisdom that even the scholars couldn’t quite fathom. 

Therefore, if you want to be wise, look at Jesus, and follow this psalmist’s advice. Then you will see that reading and applying the Word of God gives you, ‘more understanding than all my teachers’. No instruction manuals or high level degrees can give you such clarity or wisdom, only God's Word can. Other materials can help you figure out the function of some things but wisdom, which comes from the Bible, helps you live life well through applying understanding and developing good judgement. If you study and apply Scripture to your life, you will get wiser. Even if you are young you can ‘understand more than the aged’. You can be wise beyond your years when you read, think about and apply Scripture to your life. I remember my Mum saying to me when i was about 13, that since i gave my life to God i had a greater sense of right and wrong. This is because i read the Bible. I desired to understand it and I followed it the best i could. God can impart His wisdom to you in order to give you compassion and influence in your generation and beyond. This can happen when you rely on The Word of God to influence your mind and behaviour. Do you want to be wiser than your teachers? 

Psalm 119:105 - 112 (ESV): 

Nun

 105  Your word is a lamp to my feet 

and a light to my path. 

 106  I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, 

to keep your righteous rules. 

 107  I am severely afflicted; 

give me life, O Lord, according to your word! 

 108  Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord, 

and teach me your rules. 

 109  I hold my life in my hand continually, 

but I do not forget your law. 

 110  The wicked have laid a snare for me, 

but I do not stray from your precepts. 

 111  Your testimonies are my heritage forever, 

for they are the joy of my heart. 

 112  I incline my heart to perform your statutes 

forever, to the end. 

When God commands something, do you see it as a hardship or as one of His ‘righteous rules’? How you approach and accept the direction and discipline of God makes a difference to how you accept it. If the attitude is ‘oh, another thing i HAVE to do’, or ‘urrrggghh, what next, are you telling me i can’t….?’ Then it is going to be a hardship to apply God’s Word to your life. Yes, God says you should not steal, so don’t do it. Yes God says don’t have sex before marriage, so don’t do it. Yes God says love your enemies, so do do it. Do these instructions, and many others like them, seem like a drudge to you? Like they limit your life and freedom? Or do they seem like gift from a loving Father, helping you to navigate the complexities of this world? 

Desire and learn to see beyond these instructions to the heart of the God who wrote them. God cares enough for you to let you know the way to live your life, in a manner that will reduce the guilt and shame that you experience, and will lead you not just into momentary satisfaction, but long-term joy. 

The Bible is imparted wisdom from Almighty God to help you live the best life you can. It contains good guidance into having appropriate relationships with the rest of humanity, avoiding heartache and honouring your relationship with God. Therefore your mindset towards the Word of God matters. If you approach it with joy, hope and openness, it will give you life and lead you into fullness and blessing. Remember that Scripture reveals who God is, and how much He loves and has invested in humanity. The rules, laws and commandments have a beautiful purpose. So, as you read the Bible and you realise you have to do something that you don’t want to do, know that it is because God wants the best life for you. He wants you to escape harm, self-inflicted difficulty, and to bless those around you, as well as to honour and glorify Him in the way you live. Is that what you want from your life?

So, when you next pick up your Bible to read it, check your attitude. Is your desire to, 'incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end'? Be determined to see God’s goodness, wisdom, guidance and love through Scripture. See it as the best advice that you could ever get (for it is!), and ask God to help you receive it with joy. Allow His words to help you see the greatness of His love. 

God's Word helps you in battle

 Psalm 119:81–88 (ESV): 

Kaph

 81  My soul longs for your salvation; 

I hope in your word. 

 82  My eyes long for your promise; 

I ask, “When will you comfort me?” 

 83  For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, 

yet I have not forgotten your statutes. 

 84  How long must your servant endure? 

When will you judge those who persecute me? 

 85  The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; 

they do not live according to your law. 

 86  All your commandments are sure; 

they persecute me with falsehood; help me! 

 87  They have almost made an end of me on earth, 

but I have not forsaken your precepts. 

 88  In your steadfast love give me life, 

that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth. 

Do you long for salvation and for God’s promises? Sometimes you can feel dry, cracked and worn out like a ‘wineskin in the smoke’, do you keep holding onto God’s promises then? Even when life is tough, and it looks like God’s blessings are far off, do you remain obedient? 

It can seem that the world is against you at times, and in some ways that is true, as the Prince of this world, Satan, wants to prevent you from living God’s way. So he will send temptations, trials and troublesome people to obliterate your faith and surround you with lies. What do you do when that happens? 

This writer admits they have experienced this, yet although ‘they have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts’. Their steadfast love and faithfulness to God has held firm. For they have taken the truth of God’s Word, read it, studied it and applied it to their life. So now, in the times of trouble, they can depend upon God and know what the truth is. They know He has spoken about salvation, freedom and the blessing of the obedient. They are assured of salvation because ‘i hope in your word’. They really know what God is like and what He has said for they have taken time to learn and obey. So now, in  persecution, they can trust that God is for them and will bring them through. They have built a firm foundation of faith, and can rely on the knowledge that they are one of God’s people, so He will come to their aid against any enemy that comes against them. They have the Word of God to rely on. Jesus fought with Satan in the wilderness with the Word of God, and eventually the enemy fled. For he cannot stand against God’s Word. So, are you investing time in reading and understanding Scripture? It is a powerful weapon in times of trouble!

Psalm 119:89–96 (ESV): 

Lamedh

 89  Forever, O Lord, your word 

is firmly fixed in the heavens. 

 90  Your faithfulness endures to all generations; 

you have established the earth, and it stands fast. 

 91  By your appointment they stand this day, 

for all things are your servants. 

 92  If your law had not been my delight, 

I would have perished in my affliction. 

 93  I will never forget your precepts, 

for by them you have given me life. 

 94  I am yours; save me, 

for I have sought your precepts. 

 95  The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, 

but I consider your testimonies. 

 96  I have seen a limit to all perfection, 

but your commandment is exceedingly broad. 

Sometimes life is hard so that you feel downcast and like life is a drudge. Especially when there’s unfair persecution when you are living your life faithfully obedient to God. When will the suffering end? is often a question we ask, and when will the persecuters get their comeuppance? At those times, how precious and beautiful is the Word of God! The reliable, consistent life-giving statutes, the truth, hope, reassurance and revelation of Jesus, the conviction of sin and righteousness. Oh how promising and enjoyable are the Scriptures that not only are in our hands, but are ‘firmly fixed in the heavens’! 

When you feel disheartened, disillusioned or downcast, remember not only the sufferings of Christ, but the established faithfulness of God through millennia, and the steadfastness of His Word. Turn to God, trust in Scripture and cling to it. This writer, even when enemies are lying in wait makes a point of recalling God’s Word. Just like Jesus, this writer uses the Word of God to fight his battles. Do you do the same? To do this you can; commit to memory the Word of God, recall stories and verses, remember the battles fought and won in times past, and trust in the testimonies of God’s goodness. These are the things to dwell upon rather than the distress of the situation you are in or the threats of the enemy. For even the perfect plan of Satan, however welll thought through and resourced is limited (v96) and cannot stand against God’s Word. His Word has given you life, it is trustworthy and certain and established in the heavens. Are you using it to bring life, hope and victory in your troubles?

Reciprocating Father God's love

 Psalm 119:65–72 (ESV): 

Teth

 65  You have dealt well with your servant, 

O Lord, according to your word. 

 66  Teach me good judgment and knowledge, 

for I believe in your commandments. 

 67  Before I was afflicted I went astray, 

but now I keep your word. 

 68  You are good and do good; 

teach me your statutes. 

 69  The insolent smear me with lies, 

but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; 

 70  their heart is unfeeling like fat, 

but I delight in your law. 

 71  It is good for me that I was afflicted, 

that I might learn your statutes. 

 72  The law of your mouth is better to me 

than thousands of gold and silver pieces. 

God treats us in accordance with Scripture, 'You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to your word.' If you follow God’s Word, then you receive a blessing from Him, if you disobey, then you will receive discipline. You can be assured that God will deal well with you and always uphold His Word. He will reward you and bless you when you are faithful to Him, plus He will give you opportunity to correct your behaviour and be led into righteousness and forgiveness when you err, because He is good.. The psalmist confesses, ‘Before i was afflicted i went astray, but now i keep your word.’ Sometimes when you encounter difficulty, do you assess your heart and mind to see if there is some error or sin on your part? This writer did, and as he evaluated his motivation and actions, he realised that they were not in alignment with God's Law. Therefore he acknowledged the source of the affliction, changed his heart, mind and actions and concluded that following God's direction is best. To avoid the; shame, heartache, guilt and suffering that disobedience brings, it is better to read God's ways and follow them. Save yourself from affliction.

It is important to note that not all suffering is due to disobedience, sin or error, but sometimes it is. The sense in this psalm seems to be that the author knows they have messed up and deserved the discipline, and they have learnt from it. Sometimes, do you suffer because you know you are disobeying the Word of God? Or is the suffering due to the fact that their is brokenness and sin in the world? Be sure to check your own heart and motives to see if there is any ungodly way in you. David did, in psalm 139 he says, 'see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!' (v24). Are you of the same mindset? It should not be a shameful thing for you to assess your heart and actions. Jesus died for a reason - to forgive you of ALL sin and free you from affliction. So, admitting that you have gone wrong gives you the opportunity to appreciate Jesus; his life, death and resurrection and learn to live different empowered by the Holy Spirit.

God can show you how to live a faithful life - He has given His Word to instruct you, and His Son to show you. As a good parent, God highlights where you are going wrong, and champions your right living. Good parents want to train you to have a good, healthy life, and to be kind and considerate of others. When it is noticed that you are not doing so, it is good and loving of a parent to let you know. God is that loving Father for you. So, don't be worried or afraid if he points out things to you that He wants you to change, it is not judgement, it is love. Other people do not love or care about you in the same way. Even if they end up trying to ‘smear me with lies’ that this behaviour or manner of life is ok, remember that, 'their heart is unfeeling like fat'! Whereas God will always love you and tell you the truth. Therefore, be more concerned about what He says through the Bible than what others say. Like this writer, learn to love the Word of God for it never changes. Yet, it will challenge and change you because God loves you, and wants you to live the best life you can. Learn to be happy when God disciplines you, for it shows that He cares about you and loves your life. Remind yourself that, ‘it is good for me that i was afflicted, that i might learn your statutes’. 

Psalm 119:73 -80 (ESV): 

Yodh

 73  Your hands have made and fashioned me; 

give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. 

 74  Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, 

because I have hoped in your word. 

 75  I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, 

and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. 

 76  Let your steadfast love comfort me 

according to your promise to your servant. 

 77  Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; 

for your law is my delight. 

 78  Let the insolent be put to shame, 

because they have wronged me with falsehood; 

as for me, I will meditate on your precepts. 

 79  Let those who fear you turn to me, 

that they may know your testimonies. 

 80  May my heart be blameless in your statutes, 

that I may not be put to shame! 

No-one else has such a claim on your life than God does! He is your Father who made and fashioned you - he hand-crafted your outer and innermost being. Therefore He has a greater right to guide you and should be permitted to have greater influence in your life than anyone else. Do you let Him?

Learn to live for the One who made you, who knows you and loves you unconditionally. Then you will be loved and rejoiced in by those who also know and acknowledge Him. You have a beautiful family through faith in God that will help, lead and guide you in His ways. They will support you in righteousness and lead you to the Word of God. Plus, you will be able to guide and guard others as they see your righteous living, they will come to you ‘that they may know your testimonies’. What a privilege and a responsibility you have within God’s family! The privilege of many who love and invest in you, and the responsibility to lead, love and guide others into the ways of God.

This passage of psalm 119 repeats the word ‘let’ from verse 77. It seems almost a plea, a request that God helps the author to allow; God’s steadfast love become a comfort, mercy to be exciting, sinful people to become unattractive because they lie, growing relationships among other God-fearing people. Do these things echo your prayers? Are you more concerned about learning to be obedient and faithful to God than pleasing yourself and those who disregard Him? If you are not sure how to do this, then learn to understand and apply scripture to your life. Search God's Word so that you can learn what is right and wrong that you ‘may not be put to shame’. Plead with God to connect you well, to build your godly relationships and to reveal His way to you. 

Why live God's way?

 Psalm 119:33–40 (ESV): 

He

 33  Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; 

and I will keep it to the end. 

 34  Give me understanding, that I may keep your law 

and observe it with my whole heart. 

 35  Lead me in the path of your commandments, 

for I delight in it. 

 36  Incline my heart to your testimonies, 

and not to selfish gain! 

 37  Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; 

and give me life in your ways. 

 38  Confirm to your servant your promise, 

that you may be feared. 

 39  Turn away the reproach that I dread, 

for your rules are good. 

 40  Behold, I long for your precepts; 

in your righteousness give me life! 

Allow God to teach you. Do not get distracted by the things of this world, but hold firm to the Word of God. Determine to see God’s commands as good, even when they are difficult. For He is a good parent, He gives boundaries and instructions so that you you can live a good, godly and healthy life. 

The rules of parents do not always make sense to their children, but when the children obey them, they grow well. When they do not, there is fear, anger, relationship breakdown and a life lived outside the safety of the family. Therefore, rather than trying to see what you can get away with, or ignoring some of the rules because they seem old, boring or not in line with cultural expectations, ask God to teach you. Remind yourself that God is the best parent, and that as His child you may not understand all that He expects of you. Then ask Him to ‘give me understanding that i may keep your law’ and ‘lead me in the path of your commandments, for i delight in it’. being happy learning about instructions is difficult to do! Yet, you can ask God for help, and through learning more about God and His character, you will see more clearly that He loves you and wants the best for you. The you can come to love His ways and His instructions. 

Following God can become joyful when you look at the big picture. God gives you promises (v38), He turns away reproach (v39), and He gives you life now and for eternity (v40). If these are the consequences of obedience to Him, surely it is worth it!

Psalm 119:40–48 (ESV): 

Waw

 41  Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, 

your salvation according to your promise; 

 42  then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, 

for I trust in your word. 

 43  And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, 

for my hope is in your rules. 

 44  I will keep your law continually, 

forever and ever, 

 45  and I shall walk in a wide place, 

for I have sought your precepts. 

 46  I will also speak of your testimonies before kings 

and shall not be put to shame, 

 47  for I find my delight in your commandments, 

which I love. 

 48  I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, 

and I will meditate on your statutes. 

Reading the Bible shows you that you are loved. God’s testimonies, His rules, the history of His people - all of these can reveal to you the vastness, beauty and reality of God’s love for you. He has ensured that you can read and hear about His character, goodness, battles, care and power through His Word. He has made sure all of this is written down because He wants to reveal His love to you. God's love is not fickle or minute, but steadfast and everlasting. Therefore read the Bible and discover the love of God!

This revelation of how God loves you should fill you with such joy and passion that you determine to ‘keep your law continually’. Whether you are in ‘a wide place’, speaking ‘before kings’ or in front ‘of him who taunts me’, God loves you and is with you. Therefore you can courageously speak and stand on the truth, no matter where you are, or who you are with. 

Does the environment you are in, or the people you are with effect your behaviour and topics of conversation? Do you acknowledge and love God in every place and in front of every person? Your love and obedience to God should not be hidden or changeable. Instead, the love of God should be your guiding force in life, not the love of anything or anyone else. 

Desire to lead a life pleasing to Him and you will have love, joy and peace, even when before kings and enemies.

The Word of wondrous things

 Psalm 119:17–24(ESV): 

Gimel

 17  Deal bountifully with your servant, 

that I may live and keep your word. 

 18  Open my eyes, that I may behold 

wondrous things out of your law. 

 19  I am a sojourner on the earth; 

hide not your commandments from me! 

 20  My soul is consumed with longing 

for your rules at all times. 

 21  You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, 

who wander from your commandments. 

 22  Take away from me scorn and contempt, 

for I have kept your testimonies. 

 23  Even though princes sit plotting against me, 

your servant will meditate on your statutes. 

 24  Your testimonies are my delight; 

they are my counsellors. 

Does reading the Bible give you fresh revelation, comfort, wonder? Do you expect it to? 

This psalmist expects and desires to see ‘wondrous things’ when they read scripture. For The Word of God is precious and beautiful, and it can reveal new and incredible things when you study it. God’s word can inspire, strengthen, challenge, comfort and delight you. It can also build a sense of awe for who God is, and what He has done. If you struggle to see this, then pray, ‘open my eyes that i may behold wondrous things out of your law’. Who knows what new things you will notice, and what joy you will receive when you approach the Bible expecting and waiting for God to speak to you.

This wonderful Word of God that we have access to is written for you. It shows a life and a kingdom that is to come, and how to navigate this season where you are ‘a sojourner on the earth’. You were not created to belong here, but to be a citizen of God’s realm. So whilst you wait to join Him for eternity, read His Word so that you can live well here, in preparation for what is to come. Although this life may seem arduous and long at times, eternity is longer! So learn to live as a ‘sojourner’, a traveller, someone that is just passing through this place, as your eternal home is with God for eternity, not here on Earth. You are a citizen of the Kingdom of God, so you need to know how to live like one. Do not rely on anyone else to show you how to do it, whether they are good people, great people or influential people. Even princes and those in power don’t have it all figured out, nor do friends or coworkers, they are struggling to live beyond this life too. Instead allow God’s Word to counsel you, guard you and guide you. Ask God to make clear His words and instructions that you may live well in this temporary accommodation with respect and honour, whilst you await your eternal, permanent home. 

Psalm 119:25–32 (ESV)

Daleth

 25  My soul clings to the dust; 

give me life according to your word! 

 26  When I told of my ways, you answered me; 

teach me your statutes! 

 27  Make me understand the way of your precepts, 

and I will meditate on your wondrous works. 

 28  My soul melts away for sorrow; 

strengthen me according to your word! 

 29  Put false ways far from me 

and graciously teach me your law! 

 30  I have chosen the way of faithfulness; 

I set your rules before me. 

 31  I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; 

let me not be put to shame! 

 32  I will run in the way of your commandments 

when you enlarge my heart! 

‘when i told you of my ways, you answered me’. How beautiful to know that God is not distant or ignorant, but He leans in, listens, and answers! The fact that the writer has told God what he has done indicates that they have made mistakes (v26). They have got it wrong on their pursuit of living a life pleasing to God and confessed to Him their sin. God responded and their reply was ‘teach me your statutes’. What a wonderful response to getting it wrong! Instead of floundering in sin or being overcome with shame, this person approached God, was restored by Him and then desired greater understanding of Scripture. Through pondering on their ways, this person realised that the root cause of their error was that they did not know or understand of the Word of God. Therefore, the answer to avoid sin is to ask God to ‘make me understand the way of your precepts’. Sometimes you may not know why God says to do or not to do something, so ask God to help you understand and ask Him to reveal how to apply Scripture to your life. 

It is not easy, but being a faithful follower of God. It requires obedience and that you humble yourself before Him. Acknowledging that He does in fact know best, even when it is hard to understand, and your heart yearns for something else can be painfully difficult. Therefore, like the psalmist, ask God to enlarge your heart so that you feel the same as God does about sin and situations. God can guide you, help you and change your desires when you invite Him to. Turning away from sin and learning to ‘run in the way of your commandments’ is difficult when you try to do it on your own. However, you have the ear of the author of the Bible. So, you have the great privilege of being able to talk to Him, ask Him how to apply His Word to your life. He alone will save you from sin and can enlarge your heart to care for the things He does. He doesn’t want you to keep clinging to the dust in despair. You can trust in His love and faithfulness to rescue and restore you. His Word is full of wondrous things - are you seeing them?

What rules do you follow?

As we begin to study Psalm 119 a couple of paragraphs at a time, we will see how every section exemplifies the brilliance of Scripture. If you allow God’s Word to have influence in your life, even when it is difficult, then you will be blessed. How wonderful it is for displaying God, giving direction, confidence, and building faith. The Bible is precious and beautiful, for it contains the very words of God, so read it carefully and in reverence, for it has the power to change your life.

Psalm 119:1–8 (ESV): 

Aleph

119  Blessed are those whose way is blameless, 

who walk in the law of the Lord! 

 2  Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, 

who seek him with their whole heart, 

 3  who also do no wrong, 

but walk in his ways! 

 4  You have commanded your precepts 

to be kept diligently. 

 5  Oh that my ways may be steadfast 

in keeping your statutes! 

 6  Then I shall not be put to shame, 

having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. 

 7  I will praise you with an upright heart, 

when I learn your righteous rules. 

 8  I will keep your statutes; 

do not utterly forsake me! 

What a great understanding this writer has of the beauty of the law of God. They honour and respect Scripture, but also acknowledge that they struggle to know and obey it! Has anything changed in the thousands of years that have passed since this was penned?! The Bible is both beautiful and terrifying, as us humans continue the struggle to understand and diligently apply the statutes of God to our lives.

The person who can live their life in complete obedience to the Word of God will be blessed, as they know not the shame and repentance sin brings, but instead the favour of God poured out upon them. Yet how difficult it is to live that righteous life, but do not give! Continue to strive for obedience, practice righteousness and keep asking God for forgiveness that He will not ‘utterly forsake’ you. I love the honesty of these words, and the hope that it brings. Although we go wrong, we have opportunity to try again. God is so kind to give us the opportunity and reminders to change, no wonder the writer says, 'I will praise you with an upright heart'. Do you praise God because of His commandments and statutes? Knowing the standards and instructions of God can lead to praise as you recognise how holy, good and glorious He is. God lives to a standard of love and purity that you cannot attain, yet he still gives you the opportunity to live a holier life. He welcomes and forgives you time and again. He knows that you try, and He loves it when you desire to live His way and not your own, for in your obedience you demonstrate your love to Him. Faithfulness to God is important to Him and it should be to you too, plus, for you, it leads to blessing. Therefore keep desiring to love the Word of God and obey it. It does you good; it leads you out of sin, shows you the way of righteousness and blessing, and reveals the love and might of God throughout. There is no other written word that is as powerful!

Psalm 119:9–16 (ESV): 

Beth

 9  How can a young man keep his way pure? 

By guarding it according to your word. 

 10  With my whole heart I seek you; 

let me not wander from your commandments! 

 11  I have stored up your word in my heart, 

that I might not sin against you. 

 12  Blessed are you, O Lord; 

teach me your statutes! 

 13  With my lips I declare 

all the rules of your mouth. 

 14  In the way of your testimonies I delight 

as much as in all riches. 

 15  I will meditate on your precepts 

and fix my eyes on your ways. 

 16  I will delight in your statutes; 

I will not forget your word. 

The temptations for the young seem especially hard, and every generation does have different types of challenges as technology and expectations of society change. Yet The Word of God never changes. Therefore in order to keep your way pure, prevent confusion and constant changing of ideals, invest in the Word of God. Scripture has remained good, noble and pure since it was created. Seeking God and ‘guarding’ your behaviour according to God’s Word is only one way to live a life of purity and constancy. 

Be diligent in your search and desire for righteousness, read, learn, understand and apply the Word of God that you may figure out how to live life well. Do not settle for the standards of others, or society, instead, seek the statutes of the Kingdom of God, fix your eyes on God and His direction. Do not allow your own wants, others ideas, or cultural dynamics dictate your desires and behaviours, but ask God alone to ‘teach me your statutes’. If you want to learn how to live life well, there is only One who will tell you the way. He has been instructing people for millennia how to live a blessed life. Others will tell you a multitude of ways and ideas which may seem attractive, but will lead ultimately to discontentment, confusion and heartache. Only God will show you the right way to live. You have been given the best guide to living a good, pure and holy life - the Bible. Read it and follow it. Then you will see how to live a satisfied life of purity, delight and blessing

Resilient love

 Psalm 106:1–48 (ESV): 

Praise the Lord! 

  Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, 

for his steadfast love endures forever! 

 2  Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord, 

or declare all his praise? 

 3  Blessed are they who observe justice, 

who do righteousness at all times! 

 4  Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people; 

help me when you save them, 

 5  that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones, 

that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, 

that I may glory with your inheritance. 

 6  Both we and our fathers have sinned; 

we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness. 

 7  Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, 

did not consider your wondrous works; 

  they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, 

but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea. 

 8  Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, 

that he might make known his mighty power. 

 9  He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry, 

and he led them through the deep as through a desert. 

 10  So he saved them from the hand of the foe 

and redeemed them from the power of the enemy. 

 11  And the waters covered their adversaries; 

not one of them was left. 

 12  Then they believed his words; 

they sang his praise. 

 13  But they soon forgot his works; 

they did not wait for his counsel. 

 14  But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness, 

and put God to the test in the desert; 

 15  he gave them what they asked, 

but sent a wasting disease among them. 

 16  When men in the camp were jealous of Moses 

and Aaron, the holy one of the Lord, 

 17  the earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, 

and covered the company of Abiram. 

 18  Fire also broke out in their company; 

the flame burned up the wicked. 

 19  They made a calf in Horeb 

and worshiped a metal image. 

 20  They exchanged the glory of God 

for the image of an ox that eats grass. 

 21  They forgot God, their Savior, 

who had done great things in Egypt, 

 22  wondrous works in the land of Ham, 

and awesome deeds by the Red Sea. 

 23  Therefore he said he would destroy them— 

had not Moses, his chosen one, 

  stood in the breach before him, 

to turn away his wrath from destroying them. 

 24  Then they despised the pleasant land, 

having no faith in his promise. 

 25  They murmured in their tents, 

and did not obey the voice of the Lord. 

 26  Therefore he raised his hand and swore to them 

that he would make them fall in the wilderness, 

 27  and would make their offspring fall among the nations, 

scattering them among the lands. 

 28  Then they yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor, 

and ate sacrifices offered to the dead; 

 29  they provoked the Lord to anger with their deeds, 

and a plague broke out among them. 

 30  Then Phinehas stood up and intervened, 

and the plague was stayed. 

 31  And that was counted to him as righteousness 

from generation to generation forever. 

 32  They angered him at the waters of Meribah, 

and it went ill with Moses on their account, 

 33  for they made his spirit bitter, 

and he spoke rashly with his lips. 

 34  They did not destroy the peoples, 

as the Lord commanded them, 

 35  but they mixed with the nations 

and learned to do as they did. 

 36  They served their idols, 

which became a snare to them. 

 37  They sacrificed their sons 

and their daughters to the demons; 

 38  they poured out innocent blood, 

the blood of their sons and daughters, 

  whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, 

and the land was polluted with blood. 

 39  Thus they became unclean by their acts, 

and played the whore in their deeds. 

 40  Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against his people, 

and he abhorred his heritage; 

 41  he gave them into the hand of the nations, 

so that those who hated them ruled over them. 

 42  Their enemies oppressed them, 

and they were brought into subjection under their power. 

 43  Many times he delivered them, 

but they were rebellious in their purposes 

and were brought low through their iniquity. 

 44  Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress, 

when he heard their cry. 

 45  For their sake he remembered his covenant, 

and relented according to the abundance of his steadfast love. 

 46  He caused them to be pitied 

by all those who held them captive. 

 47  Save us, O Lord our God, 

and gather us from among the nations, 

  that we may give thanks to your holy name 

and glory in your praise. 

 48  Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, 

from everlasting to everlasting! 

  And let all the people say, “Amen!” 

Praise the Lord! 

People are rebellious. They find reasons to follow one another rather than God all the time. The temptation to want to fit in, to be like others is powerful and can wreck your life. 

The Israelites kept looking around at the lives of others and they were jealous. Jealous of the way other nations could live, the allowances others had in different religions, and they were jealous of each other. This, every time, lead to sin, rebellion, and death. The pattern repeats in different circumstances and during different generations, it is historical and generational. The human propensity is to sin and rebel. Yet this is not the way of the true God-follower. 

The true followers of God, as depicted here in Psalm 106, like Moses and Aaron keep focussed on remembering who God is. They speak of God's deeds and character, they speak to Him and humble themselves before Him. Even when a multitude is against them. They also continually pray for those who seek their harm for their salvation. They keep focused on who they know God to be and act in response to His holiness and steadfastness. Even in the face of rebellion, harm, confusion and disaster, these two keep humbling themselves before God, and so they are known as obedient, godly men. They demonstrate something of the resilient love and forgiveness of God as they seek God to save the people time and again. Moses and Aaron are committed, loyal, loving and obedient examples of how to follow God, it wasn't easy for them. People are too eager to give up God to go the way of others, like the rest of Israel, to try to become powerful, in control of their own lives, or live as others do. Each and every time in ends up as a huge mess and God has to intervene because God continues His steadfast love and demonstrates His forgiveness and power to all, even when people have disregarded and abandoned Him. He forgives and He deals with sin. Again and again He has to deliver the nation of Israel, even just in the lifetime of Moses, and He continues to do so for all who repent.  

‘Many times he delivered them, but they were rebellious in their purposes and were brought low through their iniquity.  44  Nevertheless, he looked upon their distress, when he heard their cry.’ God never gives up on His people. Although they disappoint Him, run after other things, disobey, rebel, sin, and end up in disastrous situations, God still looks upon their distress. Still He hears when they cry. God’s steadfast, resilient love endures forever. He will never stop caring about His people. His love and forgiveness never run out. 

You can come to Him today and repent, and be confident that again God will forgive you, even if He has done so already a million times already. His love for you is enough to cover everything you have ever done and will do. You can know the joy of His forgiveness and restoration, if that is what you choose. This does not mean that you should sin just so that you can feel that love and forgiveness, for, ‘blessed are those who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times’. It was better for Moses and Aaron because they loved God faithfully. They were set apart and favoured throughout the nations journey to the Promised Land due to their faithfulness, resilient love and humility before God. They did not suffer plague, being consumed by fire or being swallowed by the ground. They were at no risk of that because they were obedient. In fact, instead, when the nation rebelled, they were used by God to bring about the restoration of God to others, they were the vessels through which God chose to demonstrate His judgement, grace and mercy because they kept faithful to Him. Surely, better to continue as a righteous one than suffer the poverty and depravity and judgement of the rebellious. 

Today consider;

• Is your love for God resilient? 
• Are you struggling to continue the way of the righteous? If so, be warned that if you go another way, you will provoke the anger of God. 
• Have you sinned and rebelled and want to return to God? Then humble yourself and pray, for God loves to demonstrate His steadfast love and forgive. 

Remember God's deeds, His character and His resilient love and choose today what you will follow; your own sinful desires, the others around you, or those who follow Christ and enjoy living in the resilient love of God.