God's Grace In Montana: Psalm 119

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Great PEACE have they which love THY law...

" Seven times a day do I PRAISE Thee because of Thy righteous judgments." Psalm 119:164

Last night I was reading through a few psalms before going to bed. One of the psalms I took to reading was Psalm 119. Most of us know the psalm... or maybe we know a verse here or there that we've memorized.

But as I was reading, I was reminded yet again of the importance of loving the law of the Lord... it's repeated throughout the whole psalm.

The reminder to praise Him was much needed... how good of the Lord to a redirect my thoughts heavenward.

" seven times a day do I praise Thee..."

It makes me wonder how many times during the day I am actually found praising the Lord?

More often than not we are burdened and bowed down with the cares of this world. It's much easier to focus on the troubles, isn't it? But you know, when we are found praising the Lord we gain so much more than when we sulk, or are unthankful.

A heart that blesses the Lord... is a heart at peace.

" Every day will I bless thee;

and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. "

Psalm 145:2

And that makes me think... What do I love more?

Shall I sow to the flesh (and my desires)... and reap corruption?

Or...

Shall I sow to the Spirit... and reap life everlasting?

Oh, to be found delighting in His Word.

"Great PEACE have they which love THY law..."

Psalm 119:165

Heavenly Father, thank you for the fullness of joy we find in your presence. Help us to have a thankful heart as we face the day before us. May we bless your Holy name for ever and be found delighting in your precious Word.

Turn you eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face;

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

Helen H. Lemmel, 1922

May you be strengthened in your walk today to praise the Lord and find peace in His presence alone.
~Ellie

Friday, May 2, 2014

Thou art GOOD and doest GOOD...

" Thou hast dealt WELL with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy WORD." Psalm 119: 65

This past week I "stumbled" upon a few verses in my daily Bible reading... verses that have made me think.

Do you ever wonder about God's goodness to you when you are afflicted? I'll admit it is quite hard to see what God is doing in my life when I feel afflicted in one form or another. No one likes afflictions.

But affliction is good for us, even though it hurts. And yet the affliction is not in vain... it causes a marvelous work in us. It causes us to be more like Christ.

" For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory ."

2 Cor. 4:17

If we are not afflicted, we naturally go astray. (Psalm 119:67). Our hearts need the discipline of the Lord, to keep us on the right path... and to please Him.

"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8:7-8

Yes, it is difficult to be afflicted... to feel pain. One may say God isn't loving, or good or faithful when He sends afflictions. Because why would a loving God afflict us? Yet without affliction, our lives would never learn the statues of the LORD. And we would never desire the WORD of God to dwell richly in us. We would be most miserable!

And if God says that it is good for us to be afflicted, then it must be GOOD. (Ps. 119: 71).

And we can have peace that HE is most loving:

" I know, O LORD, that THY judgements are right, and that thou in FAITHFULNESS has afflicted me."

(Psalm 119: 75)

I may not fully understand God's dealings with me. But one thing I know. He loves me enough to discipline me in faithfulness. And what assurance to know that HE never leaves HIS own. Even when HE disciplines and afflicts us. Even then. He cares about each of His children. So much so, that a price was paid for our redemption. He bought us with the precious blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. And that is enough to trust Him.

" THY hands have made me and fashioned me: Give me understanding that I may learn Thy commandments."

Psalm 119:73

May you know God's goodness to you... even in affliction. May you delight in HIS word today, trusting Him.

~Ellie

Memory Verses

Ephesians 1: 3-23

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.