Discernment by the Word

GIMEL

17Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word. 18Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.19 I am a stranger in the earth;
Do not hide Your commandments from me. 20My soul breaks with longing For Your judgments at all times. 21You rebuke the proud—the cursed, Who stray from Your commandments.22Remove from me reproach and contempt, For I have kept Your testimonies. 23Princes also sit and speak against me, But Your servant meditates on Your statutes. 24Your testimonies also are my delight And my counsellors.

                                                                Psalm 119:17-24.  NKJV

Today we reach our third section, Discernment by the Word. In verse 17, the writer discerns that much grace shall be given them (bountifully). Without Him (Jesus) we can do nothing (John 15:5). We need grace for living and also for obeying the Word. This is what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:9, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness'. 

The bible abounds  with wondrous, spiritual things which are hidden from our eyes. Our eyes need opening to see them. This is where discernment comes in v18. The writer has an intense longing for God's Word and His presence (v119-20). He knows it is the only safe and wonderful place to be. History is full of instances of how proud and insolent people have defied the Lord's commandments (v21). And how they were soon brought down to earth by the mighty hand of God. 

Sometimes it's hard to believe that God allows us to go through certain, painful times. We wonder why and this has caused many in the past to think God doesn't care at all. That is so wrong, He loves us, deeply, even though He didn't rescue us. However, at the end of time, when we stand before the Lord, our reward will be, 'Well done' and this will compensate for any reproach and contempt, we may have felt. I expect there are many of us who have been in this position at some time or another. We may be trying to keep afloat in a raging sea of conflict and no help appears to be on the horizon. Think for a moment - you made it, didn't you? Who do you think did that for you? Remember, we can't do anything on our own (John 15:5).

In summing up here in this section, people in authority may have spoken against us in an unkind and damaging way. This may be a boss or any one else who was in charge of us at that time. The best way to counteract this is, not to attack or try to defend yourself. Many times, this just makes things worse. The best way is to remember that in God, we find our strength as we meditate on His Word. Give it all to God.

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now

Lord Jesus, I have sinned. I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today. In Jesus' Name. Amen
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