Joy and Communion through the Word

PE

"129Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul keeps them. 130The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. 131I opened my mouth and panted, For I longed for Your commandments. 132Look upon me and be merciful to me,
As Your custom is toward those who love Your name. 133Direct my steps by Your word,
And let no iniquity have dominion over me. 134Redeem me from the oppression of man,
That I may keep Your precepts. 135Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes. 136Rivers of water run down from my eyes, Because men do not keep Your law."                                            Psalm 119:129-136   NKJV

When the Holy Spirit is around us, He brings Light. We may not always recognise when He's involved with us because, our minds may be on other things, such as distractions. When we do recognise Him, His entrance brings us Light. People often say, 'Give us some light on the subject', and this is what happens. We may be stuck on something but, when Jesus enters the situation, He gives us Light to understand and know the way ahead v130). 

We need to cultivate a deep thirst for God, as well as a hunger for His Word. We'll only gain this when we become deeply involved with Jesus. Peter wrote in 1 Peter 2:2, 'As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word'. You may say that this is for new believers and this is true. However, we, 'Oldies in the Word', need to catch a hold of this from time to time. Don't forget that we're still learning. In fact, we need the Holy Spirit to guide us every single day (133). Proverbs 3:5-6 rubber stamps this too. As we acknowledge Him daily, He will guide our steps (6).

When Bendetti, the author of Stabat Mater, was found weeping one day, he was asked the reason for his tears. He replied, 'I weep because Love goes about unloved). This is a 13th century Christian Hymn to the Virgin Mary, that portrays her suffering as mother during the crucifixion of her Son Jesus Christ.  (Details from William MacDonald's Believers Bible Commentary)

'I weep because Love goes about unloved'  (1 John 4:8) 

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
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
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Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

 

Separation and Deliverance through the Word

AYIN

"121I have done justice and righteousness; Do not leave me to my oppressors. 122Be surety for Your servant for good; Do not let the proud oppress me. 123My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation And Your righteous word. 124Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy, And teach me Your statutes. 125I am Your servant; Give me understanding,
That I may know Your testimonies. 126It is time for You to act, O Lord, For they have regarded Your law as void. 127Therefore I love Your commandments More than gold, yes, than fine gold! 128Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way."    Psalms 119:121-128   NKJV

In the first verse of this section, the writer emphasises the fact that he has tried his best to honour God and carry out his service. The writer pens that his righteous life was the fruit of his salvation; and therefore a proper basis to ask the Lord not to abandon him. We cannot make demands of God but, we can remind Him that we are obeying His Word and bearing fruit and because of this, we need help from the attack of our oppressors. The writer goes on to discuss this further in verse 126, where he reiterates this fact and states that because of all this, we can remind God of our obedience and plead with Him to act: 'It is time for You to act, O Lord, For they have regarded Your law as void.' 

Jesus is our surety, the One who stands for another and represents him. He's rather like a good barrister but more so. He pleads our cause through our life and will restrain anyone who tries to harm us. However, there may be a waiting period and things may not go the way we have asked because He likes to see how we will respond and act towards such affliction. There may also be times when we feel like turning away from Him, it happens. If it does, we need to speak to Him urgently.

Remember this, the more we know about Him, the more effective we can be. So, we need His teaching on a regular basis. It is almost like His Word is like pure gold. As we flick through the pages of our bible, imagine that you are turning pages of pure gold, because this is what the Word is - Gold! The more you read it, the more you will recognise this.

 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
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle Check it out. Just tap on Grahame Howard books.

If you would like to contact me email grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

 

The Wicked and the Word

 SAMEK

"113I hate the double-minded, But I love Your law. 114You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. 115Depart from me, you evildoers, For I will keep the commandments of my God! 116Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope. 117Hold me up, and I shall be safe, And I shall observe Your statutes continually.118You reject all those who stray from Your statutes,
For their deceit is falsehood.119You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross;
Therefore I love Your testimonies. 120My flesh trembles for fear of You, And I am afraid of Your judgments."                          Psalm 119:113-120   NKJV

People who flow in double-mindedness are people who one minute are for God, the next the world is their oyster. They present themselves as YoYo people and people who are half and half. They seem to lack a central focus. James gives a good description of these in his first chapter: v5-8: 'Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways' Not a good testimony to have planted upon yourself - 'unstable in all his ways.'

When we are walking close to the Lord, He becomes our hiding place, rather like described in Psalm 91:1-2. He is our hiding place when we are pursued and a shield when are are under attack. Those who place their hope in Him will never be disappointed. The writer also describes the type of person God seeks. That person is the one that doesn't become involved in worldly matters and sinful practices. He or she are in this world but not a part of it; they belong to Jesus. They are willing to maintain contact with sinful people but, to help win them for Jesus. They have a determination not to become overly involved with them and compromise their faith. However, they will not walk by them when they are in need of help. For an example of this check out Jesus' walk. He spoke to many people but, He didn't fall to their practices. There is a difference.

It's not easy being a Christian; where we've come from we don't want to return. However, if we are to win people for Christ, we must be where they are, rather like Jesus when He went to houses of tax collectors and such. People are lost in their sin; Jesus wants them to be saved and this is where we come into play. Do you get what I mean?

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
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle Check it out. Just tap on Grahame Howard books.

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Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

 

The Word, a Lamp and Light for all occasions

NUN

"105Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. 106 I have sworn and confirmed That I will keep Your righteous judgments.107 I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word. 108Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, 

O Lord, And teach me Your judgments. 109My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law. 110The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts. 111Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, For they are the rejoicing of my heart. 112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes Forever, to the very end."                                           Psalm 119:105-112   NKJV

The Word guides negatively by forbidding certain behaviour patterns. It also guides positively by showing the right way. 'Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.' As we serve Jesus, we will have good and bad times (v107). 'I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.' Spurgeon said 'The service of the Lord does not screen us from trial, but rather secures it for us'  © Charles H Spurgeon The treasury of David v1:244

It is so easy to panic or become hysterical when we forget God's Word and the fact that He is in charge. We need to watch for Satan's booby traps. It is right to say that God is in charge but, take note, He is in charge only, when we place Him in charge. The temptation to do things in our own strength is forever among most human thinking. When we accept God's calling, we are there for that reason - to serve. This means that, He is our master; He has called you and not, the other way around. Therefore, to be sure of your calling make sure that you place Jesus totally in charge of all you do for Him. It is the only way we will receive the victory. God doesn't want, or need, any Lone Ranger's. If He did, He would have given us a black mask. Place Him in charge.

How do people see God? They see Him in you, that is if you are clothed in His righteousness. Unbelievers, know what the world is all about, they've seen and heard it all of their lives. They go to church or speak with a Christian because they desperately need to know the answer to life-problems and events. So, ask yourself, 'What would they see in me if they were to come and speak to me? The truthful answer to this will determine if you need to make some changes in your life as well. Is your lamp burning brightly?

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
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle Check it out. Just tap on Grahame Howard books.

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Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

 

Wisdom through the Word

MEM

97Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. 99I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. 100I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts. 101I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. 102I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me. 103How sweet are Your words to my taste,

Sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104Through Your precepts I get understanding;

Therefore I hate every false way.                Psalm 119:97-104    NKJV

Our writer describes his love of meditation in v97. It is in moments of meditation that we suddenly discover new beauties and wonders in scripture. A word of warning though, the meditation he mentions is about God, not like the eastern religions or anything that encourage the emptying of our mind. We should always be concentrating our minds on Jesus, nothing else.

Note verse 101 'I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word.' This is a very difficult statement to live up to because sin, is all around. We don't have to do anything to sin, the eye will do it, the mind will do it and the mouth will definitely do it. I would suggest that this statement be declared in faith, trusting God that we will do all we can to avoid falling into the sin-traps all around us. This appears to be the only way possible, so do it by faith.

And this is where we see that meditation on Jesus leads us to sweet words, sweeter than honey in my mouth v103. He has the words of eternal life and that is all we need. This is wisdom through the Word.

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
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle Check it out. Just tap on Grahame Howard books.

If you would like to contact me email grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

 

Eternity of the Word

LAMED

89Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. 90Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. 91They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants. 92Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. 93I will never forget Your precepts,
For by them You have given me life. 94I am Yours, save me; For I have sought Your precepts. 95The wicked wait for me to destroy me, But I will consider Your testimonies.
96I have seen the consummation of all perfection, But Your commandment

is exceedingly broad.                         Psalm 119:89-96    NKJV

Barnes said 'I should have sunk a thousand times' said a most excellent, but afflicted man to me, 'If it had not been for one declaration in the Word of God, "The Eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.'

                                                                       (119:92) Barnes, Psalms 111:204

People are lost without God. The comment above is similar to Psalm 27:13, 'I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.' The italics are not shown in most versions of the bible, mostly only in the KJV and NKJV. They were just emphasising a point. We are lost without God. Jesus Himself said in John 15:5 'without Me you can do nothing.' We need Him

Those who have experienced the power of the scriptures in their lives, are not likely to forget them. He is our Lifeguard, rescuing us whenever we are about to sink. You know, it is not a bad experience to rededicate your life to Jesus every single day and then remember to put your armour on.

Remember this, when you are active for God, the devil will do all he can to stop you. You are a threat so, he will attack you. Be ready and alert! v96

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
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle Check it out. Just tap on Grahame Howard books.

If you would like to contact me email grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard. 

 

The Afflicted One Sustained By Your Word

KAPH

81My soul faints for Your salvation, But I hope in Your Word. 82My eyes fail from searching Your Word, Saying, “When will You comfort me?” 83For I have become like a wineskin in smoke, Yet I do not forget Your statutes. 84How many are the days of Your servant? When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me? 85The proud have dug pits for me, Which is not according to Your law. 86All Your commandments 

are faithful; They persecute me wrongfully; Help me! 87They almost made an end of me on earth, But I did not forsake Your precepts.88Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.  Psalm 119:81-88.  NKJ 

The writer starts off this section with 'My soul faints for Your salvation, But I hope in Your Word.' Believers may be afflicted but, not crushed; perplexed but not driven to despair. They may also be persecuted but never forsaken, struck down or destroyed. Taken from (2Cor 4:8-9)

Hope should always be kept alive. Notice the words he uses in verse 82, 'When will You comfort me?' Not, 'Will You comfort me? There is a certain knowledge in the writer's choice of words; he knows that God will never let him down as long as he is in fellowship with Him. We should never lose this certain knowledge, it is vital to our survival.

We must always avoid being dried out like a mis-used wineskin. Skins can easily become dried out, arid and incapable of anything positive. Left to survive on its own, it will become worn and cracked, unable to perform what it was created for. This is the same for us. We need to keep our faith and make sure that we don't sink. Don't forget, the devil will try to drag us down; don't let him. Keep standing. We need to be standing on holy ground not on mirey clay. As a Christian, we do not sink, we rise with Jesus! Amen!

Spurgeon said, 'If we stick to the precepts, we will be rescued by the promises.' In other words, help will come; only believe. God has not brought us this far to leave us on our own. If we demonstrate to Him that, we can do things on our own; that we don't need any help, then that is what you'll get - no help. God is very aware that we need Him and that we can't manage on our own very long before we have to shout to Him to rescue us. So remember that; we need Him; and when we show Him this, He will be right there.

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
dailylifewithjesusbygrahamehoward.blogspot.com  

If you would like to contact me, grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Member of the National Association of Christian Ministers
Why not order my Daily Commentary from Amazon - Paperback or Kindle Check it out. Just tap on Grahame Howard books.

If you would like to contact me email grahame.howard@hotmail.co.uk

Copyright 2025 Grahame Howard.