2020 Aug 09 Psalm 119 Stanza 2B, CSL Points to Ponder
2020 Aug 09 Psalm 119 Stanza 2B, CSL Points to Ponder
Hello! A serious matter arose this morning, but I believe I could have managed the time better had I seen the clock...Here is the next installment on Psalm 119, stanza 2B. Also Christian Small Letter "Points to Ponder." Tomorrow we will likely add the segment "JESUS" LIFE AND MINISTRY"!
PSALM 119
Let's now consider Stanza 2B of Psalm 119, verses 13-16:
"13 With my lips I declare All the judgments that you have spoken. 14 I rejoice over your reminders More than over all other valuable things. 15 I will ponder over your orders And keep my eyes on your paths. 16 I am fond of your statutes. I will not forget your word."
"13 With my lips I declare All the judgments that you have spoken."
VALUE GOD'S TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENTS.
The psalmist recognizes the value of Jehovah's judgments, as much can be learned from them. Psalm 19:9 says of these: "The judgments of Jehovah are true, altogether righteous." Thus His evaluations of matters can be counted upon, and learned from.While we usually think of God's judgments as regards situations involving right or wrong conduct, we should also trust God's judgments as to what truly is and isn't important in life.When it comes to the situations mentioned, Jehovah's judgments often emphasize His mercy and understanding toward His precious human creation, He looking for the causes of wrong behavior, rather than being quick to condemn. Still, He cannot condone evil, or wrong behavior, as we should ever appreciate His loving counsel and warnings, so as to live and act in harmony with His right standards, contributing toward the genuine peace and happiness of all humans. Such is the way of eternity!
"14 I rejoice over your reminders More than over all other valuable things."
FINDING DELIGHT IN GOD'S REMINDERS.
What a fine statement of appreciation for God's loving reminders. His word outlines certain reminders that Christians should receive on a regular basis, to assist recall of all of God's instructions for living. How significant, that the psalmist not only knows these are important, but considers them so highly that he delights in them "more than all other valuable things!" It is God who provides His holy spirit to genuine Christians, the fruitage of which includes the quality of "joy"--a deep seated satisfaction we find in serving Jehovah faithfully. Nehemiah speaks of the "joy of Jehovah" as being a stronghold for His people. As we consider God's word regularly, may we come to find such delight in serving Jehovah, and being reminded of the important instructions He provides for our everlasting happiness!
"15 I will ponder over your orders And keep my eyes on your paths."
KEEPING GOD'S ORDERS.
God's orders are special commands that God considers so serious or important now that He essentially demands they be kept by those so ordered to do so. We should appreciate the sincere and loving motive of Jehovah in giving such orders, as Psalm 19:8 says: "The orders from Jehovah are righteous, causing the heart to rejoice." By keeping such orders from Jehovah, we thus find heartfelt joy in the activity God requires of His people. Recognizing the importance of this, then, the psalmist states he "will ponder over" God's orders. He thus makes time to reflect on these, considering the reasons for them--why the God "who is love," "perfect in justice," and exalted in true wisdom gave such orders--so as to understand and discern their importance, thereby placing them high on his list of priorities in life. Also, he states he will keep his eyes on God's paths. Thus, God's ways of doing things, as often outlined in His word, are the best ways of handling matters, as can be seen by examining them in light of truth and what is right.
"16 I am fond of your statutes. I will not forget your word."
FONDNESS FOR GOD'S STATUTES.
Jehovah's statutes, as discussed previously, evidently are serious laws of a certain permanence among the people of God, and that may help adherents in some way to understand or recall other laws and commands. We should therefore be "fond" of such overriding laws, appreciating the reasons for them, like the psalmist. Having such fondness, he therefore states "I will not forget your word." Can you think of some of the more serious of Christian commands that stand out with seriousness and permanence? We should use the quality of discernment to recognize the difference between the more serious sins, and lesser ones, though still required to avoid. And we should then take steps to help ensure we never violate the most serious of God's laws, with appreciation for the love of God which underscores all of them.
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POINTS TO PONDER
Philippians 1:9,10 reminds us of the need to differentiate sins with discernment, which is able to see the difference between the "more important things" of God's law, and lesser matters, though still required. Prayers ascended that God's servants come to have both "accurate knowledge and full discernment." Notice Paul's inspired words: "And this is what I continue praying, that your love may abound still more and more with accurate knowledge and full discernment; 10 that you may make sure of the more important things, so that you may be flawless and not stumbling others up to the day of Christ." Discernment also can see right from wrong, true from false, good from bad, and wise from unwise. This aspect of true wisdom will be valuable as we progress spiritually. Proverbs 14:15 says "The naive person believes every word, but the shrewd one ponders each step." May we give careful thought before accepting something we hear, while seeking faith in the speaker, reflecting upon reasons we should or shouldn't believe it, seeing even the consequences of adhering to such a belief.
Colos 2 Why should we give attention to the life and words of Jesus? Colos 2:3 says "Carefully concealed in him are all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge." All true Christians should come to be united by accurate divine knowledge, having understanding, putting truth together to form the complete picture of God's will, on the basis of true love, "the perfect bond of union." Verse 2 speaks of hearts being comforted and "that they may be harmoniously joined together in love and may have all the riches that result from the full assurance of their understanding, in order to gain an accurate knowledge of the sacred secret of God, namely, Christ."
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JESUS' LIFE AND MINISTRY (BEGINNING TOMORROW!)
Find Life and See
Between Winchester, Virginia, and hopefully, Washington D.C., having confidence that our thankful trust in God will not fail to inspire us to the peace He has purposed via His Kingdom!
