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Psalm 119:65-72
THE 119TH PSALM
Psalms 119:65-72
119:65 TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy
word.
119:66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
119:68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
119:69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts
with my whole heart.
119:70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy
statutes.
119:72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
"It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes."
(v. 71)
Strength often comes through adversity. When a man lifts weights to increase
his strength, he puts his body under much pressure and stress, but in the end,
he is made stronger. Such is the way of adversity. We tend to not welcome adversity
but we can see the long range affect of it, and how much we need it to mature
us, and teach us patience. (Rom. 5:3). For this reason, we can "glory" in tribulation.
Yes, when we are afflicted, and endure it, especially on Christ's behalf, with
patience, the "Spirit of glory and of God" are upon us (1 Peter 4:14).
Here though we see something even more special, and more peculiar. We se that
affliction teaches us! The psalmist learns more about the things of God, especially
the Word of God, through affliction. It is, therefore, good for us to have been,
and to continue to be, afflicted. We see also the affliction can set us on the
right path, "Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word."
(v. 67). Yes chastisement teaches us to do right. God uses affliction for His
purposes, as we have seen, therefore, we can rejoice in our afflictions.
Perhaps a part of the affliction was that others had lied against him, and caused
him much trouble, (v. 69), and in v. 70, it is clear that he is going to do
right in spite of what others do. We too need this kind of veracity; we need
to determine to do right, no matter what. I used to tell my kids, "No matter
what anyone else does, you do what's right" I said it so much that they often
finished the quote with me, but they got the point. Folks, we need to do right,
and stay in the Word, no matter what comes our way. Afflictions will come, but
God can make the most of them for His glory. We need to see them through, and
realize that, somehow we will be made better through the trials.
--Marty Dunn
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