UPDATED THRU 9/21: Welcome, wishing you a fabulous night sky amidst the establishing of God's everlasting Kingdom by Christ Jesus and Mark A. Campbell AKA Joshua M. Campbell-Elanemy, that is, me. Let's consider another segment of Psalm 119, this time stanza 11 both A&B together, and Proverbs chapter 5 verses 11-17. This is ensuing shortly. Any discrepancies you might notice may largely be the result of several spells cast by a few well-intentioned men who were being dominated by a ruthless self-imposed wizard. Also, with changing circumstances, the segment I began entitled "Come to Consensus Corner" should be reinstituted for further enlightenment this SUNDAY! In addition, the segment formerly called THRICE WEEKLY GOLDEN APPLES is being changed to BI-WEEKLY GOLDEN APPLES, a news commentary that WILL begin this Wednesday! The blog is returning to a 4-day per week schedule, with the BI-WEEKLY GOLDEN APPLES appearing on Sundays and Wednesdays, with other blog posts also Tuesdays and Thursdays.

PSALM 119 STANZA 11

The theme for stanza 11 is: GOD'S RELIABLE ORDERS HELP PRESERVE US THROUGH PERIODS OF PERSECUTION.

Verses 81-84 read like this: "I long for your salvation, For your word is my hope. 82 My eyes long for your saying While I say: “When will you comfort me?” 83 For I am like a skin bottle dried up in the smoke, But your regulations I do not forget. 84 How many days must your servant wait? When will you bring judgment against those persecuting me?"

Verse 81: I long for your salvation, For your word is my hope.

ENDURE WITH HOPE OF SALVATION. At Matthew 5:10 Jesus said: "“Happy are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, since the Kingdom of the heavens belongs to them." Proverbs 17:26 says: "To punish the righteous one is not good, And to flog honorable people goes against what is right." Being persecuted, or ‘annoyed by someone persistently’, for one's keeping integrity to God, faithfully following His orders, is highly displeasing to the Greatest Authority, Jehovah God. He says, regarding His true servants, "Whoever touches you touches my eyeball.” (Zechariah 2:8). While we may reasonably stand up for ourselves, offering loving correction to those acting so unkindly, or seeking help if you are unable to do so, we should avoid seeking vengeance, respecting the admonition from God, at Romans 12:19, "Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath; for it is written: “‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay,’ says Jehovah.” Jehovah can see the motives of all, and judge most appropriately according to each person, in due time. Still, if we must endure, with prayer and God’s word, we can see how to maintain our peace, and hope in eventual relief, trusting in God's word of wisdom and promise. The loving way we cope may in time cause onlookers to turn to the God of love and hope, Jehovah. Regardless, Jehovah knows what is best for all, and He can "make the way out in order for you to be able to endure it." (1Cori 10:13). Isaiah 25:8 promises: "He will swallow up death forever, And the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces. The reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, For Jehovah himself has spoken it." Let's look forward to such a blessing for all who may become Christian servants of God!

Verse 82: My eyes long for your saying While I say: “When will you comfort me?

COMFORT THAT GOD BRINGS. The psalmist found delight in pleasing God, receiving the guidance and comfort from God's word. He also knew of comfort that God himself would bring to him, whether from His word or from fellow servants of Jehovah, whether assembling for worship, or in personal fellowship. He looked forward to such encouragement, knowing that it would come as he prayed for it and remained faithful, enduring his trials. Romans 15:4 speaks of "the comfort from the Scriptures," so may we strive to read God's word regularly, finding needed strength to serve God faithfully.

Verse 83: For I am like a skin bottle dried up in the smoke, But your regulations I do not forget.

MAINTAIN HOPE AND JOY. Certain skins were used in ancient times to hold liquids. These skin bottles could darken, dry up, and shrivel if too near an open fire. Such a bottle would likely then be cast aside as worthless to hold liquids. The psalmist may have wore lines on his face from the distress caused by his persecutors, and may have at times felt like such a useless skin bottle. Yet he would not give up, and would not forget God's word and laws given to regulate life, or regulations. He held on to the word of promises from God, which remained his hope. May we continue hoping in God, trusting His word, and enduring trials faithfully, which will strengthen our hope and allow us to maintain certain joy in spite of hardships. 1Timothy 4:10 says: "This is why we are working hard and exerting ourselves, because we have rested our hope on a living God, who is a Savior of all sorts of men, especially of faithful ones."

Verse 84: How many days must your servant wait? When will you bring judgment against those persecuting me?"

JEHOVAH KNOWS HOW TO RESCUE. Notice the faith of the psalmist in God's judgment, will, and power to act in his behalf. IT was not IF he could bring judgment, but WHEN He would do so. May this move wrongdoers to turn around from their evil works before God's judgment arrives, coming to know God's love, that they may receive of God's abundant mercy, and have hope of spiritual and eternal life. May this move all of us to continue to hope in God, drawing closer to Him, and seek to live by His standards, in harmony with 2Peter 2:9-10, stating: "So, then, Jehovah knows how to rescue people of godly devotion out of trial, but to reserve unrighteous people to be destroyed on the day of judgment, 10 especially those who seek to defile the flesh of others and who despise authority." Such latter ones need urgently to turn from wrongdoing and seek God's face, pleading for His help to change their thinking, habits, and ways. This can be done, but not in one's own strength. Regarding even with Jesus' apostles gaining salvation, Jesus said to them "intently," at Matthew 19:26: "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." The same powerful holy spirit God used to create the universe, can be of assistance to help weaker ones acquire "power beyond what is normal" to make necessary changes to please God more fully. (2Cori 4:7). May we pray for God's holy spirit, which He gives to "those asking Him" and to those "obeying Him as ruler." (Luke 11:13; Acts 5:32).

The theme for stanza 11 is GOD'S RELIABLE ORDERS HELP PRESERVE US THROUGH PERIODS OF PERSECUTION.

Verses 85-88 read this way: "The presumptuous dig pits for me, Those who defy your law. 86 All your commandments are trustworthy. Men persecute me without cause; help me! 87 They almost exterminated me from the earth, But I did not abandon your orders. 88 Preserve me alive because of your loyal love, So that I may keep the reminders you have spoken."

Verse 85: The presumptuous dig pits for me, Those who defy your law.

RESPECT FOR GOD'S LAW, WISDOM. The psalmist well describes the presumptuous as those defying, or violating, God's law to selfishly get what they want. They may seek to harm and/or to receive personal advantage, going beyond boundaries set for the happiness and benefit of all, to dwell together peaceably. And they do this out of greed, jealousy, hatred and/or anger. They are missing vital aspects of true wisdom, such as humility, honesty, modesty, integrity, self-control, Christian mildness or gentleness, and perhaps shrewdness or prudence, including awareness of harmful spiritual consequences, to steer clear of them.

Verse 86: All your commandments are trustworthy. Men persecute me without cause; help me!

VALUING GOD'S COMMANDS. God's commandments truly are for our lasting benefit. To persecute someone for obeying the commandments of our true loving God, Jehovah, reveals a lack of appreciation for what is truly right and good for mankind. Yet, God's word warns us of such an influence, saying, at 2Timothy 3:12: "12 In fact, all those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted." Like the psalmist, some may even be persecuted "without cause"--just for existing! He looks in the right direction, however, pleading to God: "Help me!" May we continue to appreciate God's trustworthy commandments while looking to Him for assistance!

Verse 87: They almost exterminated me from the earth, But I did not abandon your orders.

LOVING GOD'S ORDERS. By concentrating on God's most serious and urgent commands, we may be protected from possible spiritual harm. The psalmist was even guarded from extermination. Let us prayerfully rely on Jehovah during such times, knowing of faithful men throughout history who faced similar trials (Hebrews 11-12).

Verse 88: Preserve me alive because of your loyal love, So that I may keep the reminders you have spoken.

LIVING A FAITHFUL LIFE. The psalmist seeks by God to be preserved alive despite severe trials, knowing of God's loyal love. God has promised primarily to help protect us from spiritual harm and loss of eternal life. We should be willing to face hardships in order to remain faithful to our Life-giver, Jehovah. Still, Jesus told Martha, at John 11:26, "And everyone who is living and exercises faith in me will never die at all--Do you believe this?" Following Christ's teachings and example surely contributes to our spiritual life. These last 4 verses highlight that we may, despite persecution, keep in mind God's law, His commandments, His orders, and His reminders. May we trust God's word deeply to guide us through difficult times or hardships in life, looking forward to eternal blessings!

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"3 For the lips of a wayward woman drip like a honeycomb, And her mouth is smoother than oil. 4 But in the end she is as bitter as wormwood And as sharp as a two-edged sword...8 Stay far away from her; Do not go near the entrance of her house,... 11 Otherwise, you will groan at the end of your life When your flesh and body waste away 12 And you say: “How I hated discipline! How my heart despised reproof! 13 I did not listen to the voice of my instructors Or pay attention to my teachers. 14 I have come to the brink of complete ruin In the midst of the entire congregation.”

Recall that "shrewdness" basically means "foresighted prudence," and thus looks ahead at the consequences of actions and decisions beforehand, good and bad, and acts accordingly to avoid calamity, or danger. Something God tells us is "sin," which means "missing the mark," is out of harmony with God's standards and leads us astray, causing spiritual harm and other consequences. God loves us greatly, and warns us of such things to save us from spiritual and physical harm. As Proverbs 22:3 says, "The shrewd one sees the danger and conceals himself, But the inexperienced [or, "naïve"] keep right on going and suffer the consequences." The Bible book of Proverbs provides much in the way of awareness of the consequences of bad behavior. This consideration in Proverbs 5 is one example. One choosing as a life partner one who is "wayward," thus straying from God, perhaps worshipping false gods, which God's word equates to serving demons, will likely reap bitter consequences, which can include eventual loss of life, even eternal life which could otherwise bring true happiness with God and a loyal marriage partner, among dear family and friends earthwide. Why give up such blessings, for enticements such as pleasure that a godly marriage partner can also bring, or money, or other things? This is merely a trap, snaring those lacking heart, or good motive. If one is of age, or nearing the age to marry, why not look to God for help to find a loyal marriage partner you can delight to share life with? The process need not be terribly drawn out! But failing to obey God, including in the matter of choosing a lifelong partner where possible that will adhere to true faith, is sin, and can lead to greater sin.

Do we want to regret our life looking back, saying "How I hated discipline!...I have come to the brink of complete ruin in the midst of the entire congregation?" Let us value needed discipline, and hate what is bad in God's eyes! May we especially learn to hate any violation of the marriage covenant, which is God's only provision for satisfying sexual desires. God commands: "Let marriage be honorable among all, and the marriage bed be without defilement, for God will judge sexually immoral people [or, "fornicators"] and adulterers." (Hebrews 13:4). When married partners love God and each other, sex allows them to express their loyal love and likely bear children that can be raised in a secure, loving home by both mother and father, in harmony with God's ways. Often with God, we need only faithfully wait a little longer while remaining faithful to His statutes to experience many blessings from Him! If someone tries to entice you, refuse to participate! Says Proverbs 10:22, "It is the blessing of Jehovah that makes one rich, and He adds no pain with it." Thus avoid sinning in this matter--is it true love to do what could cause another to lose out on eternal happiness with a loyal marriage partner, teaching them disloyalty to God? To move us to "hate what is bad" that we may make wisely "shrewd" decisions, may we realize that such sin, any serious sin, can result in headaches, heartaches, heartbreaks, troubles, turmoil, grief, sadness, and pain, for ourselves and others, along with the work spiritually necessary, with the help of spiritual shepherds, to try to get back on track after such sin, as well as personal efforts to do what we can to right the wrong to the best of our ability. While it is worth the effort to recover, how much better to see the consequences of badness, and stay far away from such sin in the first place, remaining close to God and others spiritually, finding true joy in living in accord with God's will and word!

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"15 Drink water from your own cistern And flowing water from your own well. 16 Should your springs be dispersed outside, Your streams of water in the public squares? 17 Let them be for you alone, And not for strangers with you."

Prove 5:15-17 For one married to a godly woman, how fine to appreciate the gift provided in the marriage partner God may have helped you find! She may have some flaws, as you do, but if she loves God, your true, tender and loyal love may move her to overcome such things, as you both improve in your relationship with God and each other. The reference to water is evidently referring to your proper source of intimacy that should be exclusive to your marriage partner, not only sexual but also a special emotional intimacy, to remain within the marriage bond. Rarely should one seek such satisfaction outside, in the public squares, with strangers! Seeking such intimacy elsewhere could reveal a lack of appreciation for God's lovely arrangement of marriage. If one is not married, may he or she look to God and His word, parents and other responsible ones to prepare oneself properly for this privilege, then to have God's help to find one that loves God and Christ as you do. God loves you, and is happy to help you find a cherished partner, as you loyally remain faithful to God, patiently waiting for the proper time and way to reach your goal! Violating God's standards will not serve to prepare you for a happy, loyal marriage that can endure the test of time, but will threaten hopes of eternal happiness. Be faithful to God and your future companion!