2020 Aug 12 Psalm 119 Stanza 4A, CSL Points to Ponder, Greatest Man
2020 Aug 12 Psalm 119 Stanza 4A, CSL Points to Ponder, Greatest Man
Hello, with a happy hallelujah! Let's get right back into Psalm 119--while Proverbs makes an occasional appearance for your delightful pleasure! We'll consider stanza 4A, then have some Christian Points to Ponder, and consider something from the Greatest Man.
PSALM 119
Stanza 4 Theme: WE CAN REMAIN FAITHFUL UNDER THE MOST TRIALSOME CIRCUMSTANCES.
As mentioned in our preview of the first 4 stanzas, this one shows we can remain faithful under the most trialsome circumstances. The inspired word of God says this, at 1Corinthians 10:13: "No temptation has come upon you except what is common to men. But God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out so that you may be able to endure it."
Notice, therefore, the psalmist's next expressions: "25 I lie prostrate in the dust. Preserve me alive according to your word. 26 I told you of my ways, and you answered me; Teach me your regulations. 27 Make me understand the meaning of your orders, So that I may ponder over your wonderful works. 28 I have been sleepless from grief. Strengthen me according to your word."
25 I lie prostrate in the dust. Preserve me alive according to your word.
CONTINUE SEEKING WHAT IS RIGHT. The thoughts of the psalmist express that he feels nearly dead, which may be from reproach, that is often unjustified. A person's grief or their own errors may also feel overwhelming at times to bear. David's words, at Psalm 103:14, reveal God's compassionate understanding of man, saying "For he well knows how we are made, remembering that we are dust." The psalmist, as mentioned earlier, had been suffering reproach, likely feeling humiliated, in a lowly, even deathly condition. Nevertheless, he again looks to Jehovah and His word of promise to sustain him. For instance, Psalm 55:22 says "Throw your burden on Jehovah, And he will sustain you. Never will he allow the righteous one to fall." May we continue trusting in Jehovah, seeking what is right. Proverbs 18:10 says "The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. Into it the righteous one runs and receives protection."
26 I told you of my ways, and you answered me; Teach me your [instructions].
PRAYERFULLY RELY ON JEHOVAH. Psalm 37:5 instructs: "Commit your way to Jehovah; Rely on him, and he will act in your behalf." The psalmist recognizes in such a condition, it is God's law that "is perfect, restoring strength..." (Psalm 19:7). Recall Christ's example--no matter how much reproach was heaped upon him, he trusted in God to ultimately safeguard his name or reputation--and this God did, in spite of Jesus' shameful death as a common criminal! May we rely on Jehovah in prayer with our deepest concerns, and trust that, in the end, He will safeguard us, if we seek His honor and righteousness.
27 Make me understand the meaning of your orders, So that I may ponder over your wonderful works.
PURPOSEFUL ORDERS. God gives His most urgent or vital commands with a purpose--always in support of His loving and perfect will. Recall that "God is love," so love for all His creatures, heavenly and earthly, and regard for His holy name and purpose, are at the root of His guidance and His "wonderful works." For example, God's dealings at the Red Sea preserved alive His people, exalted His name or reputation, and kept alive His promises to His faithful servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
28 I have been sleepless from grief. Strengthen me according to your word."
LOOK TO THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT. Once again, sadness, mistakes, or reproach from others can bring grief causing sleeplessness. However, Jehovah calls Himself "the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our trials so that we may be able to comfort others in any sort of trial with the comfort that we receive from God." (2Cori 1:3-4). Psalm 41:3 says regarding one showing favor to the lowly: "Jehovah will sustain him on his sickbed; During his sickness you will completely change his bed." The psalmist realizes God's promise to sustain him, and is also aware of the comforting power of God's written word.
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POINTS TO PONDER
1Thess 1:3 shows Paul was mindful of the Thessalonians, their "faithful work, ...loving labor, and [their] endurance because of [their] hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father." Jesus set the example in hoping in God. "For the joy that was set before him he endured" impalement, to be raised to God's right hand. (Hebr 12:2) May we look forward in faith with strong hope as we "earnestly" seek the reward of life in God's promised new world. (Hebr 11:6).
James 1 opens with encouragement not to view our trials negatively. Remember that God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear, but makes the way out for us to be able to endure it. (1Cor 10:13). So we can have a measure of happiness in our trials, trusting God for the strength and wisdom to endure faithfully, to cope with it until it has passed. This view allows us to grow in endurance, a vital quality en route to the gaining of true Christian love. According to James 1:5, if we're lacking wisdom, keep asking God, for He gives generously to all. We need godly wisdom to cope with the many trials we may experience in this life. As Jesus said, "Keep asking and you will receive."
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GREATEST MAN
It wasn't long before Jesus began sharing his Sermon on the Mount. Let's begin considering some of it:
Let's continue by taking a look at the opening promises in the Sermon on the Mount, as found in Matthew 5-7. There are nine of these, often called the "Nine Happinesses," typically referring to finding the hope of eternal life, as God's Son began his quest to find those desiring to rule together as kings and help restore the earth to the Paradise condition God originally intended for mankind (Lu 22:28-30; Re 5:9,10; Isa 45:17,18). For more detail on the two hopes mentioned in God's word, heavenly and earthly, see the article "Finding Truth" elsewhere on this website. All of these promises, however, can also be applied in another sense to those wanting to live under God's rulership as righteous inhabitants of the earthly new world of peace and happiness. Take Matthew 5:5 for instance: It refers to mild-tempered ones as those that will "inherit the earth." This can apply to both those selected to rule as kings inheriting the earth as their domain to rule over, as well as those inheriting the earth to live within its domain.
"Happy are those (aware) of their spiritual need , since the Kingdom of the Heavens belongs to them." Have you been mindful of the vital need we all have for more than just food, clothing, shelter, and other physical and material things? Yes, we have a spiritual need, including the quest for abundant knowledge, emotional well-being, and a genuine understanding of how to have a close, trusting relationship with our holy God Jehovah, as well as with other upright humans, and a desire to assist others of mankind to have the same (Jo 17:3; 1Co 2:14; Pr 1:7-9; 2:1-5; Ga 5:22,23; 2Co 5:11-21). What a treasure to realize this need and how to satisfy it, through God's word the Holy Bible and His arrangements for feeding us "spiritual" food each day (He 10:24,25; Mt 4:4; Lu 12:42)!___


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