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God's Word In Our Lives - Psalms 119
God's Word In Our Lives - Psalms 119
Walter Zorn wrote: "The name of the author is not given, yet we learn much about him through the psalm itself. Apparently he is a young man (forty or less; see vv. 99, 100). Yet he has drunk deeply of the well of adversity as well as of the joys of life. The name of the author is not given, yet we learn much about him through the psalm itself.
· Persons of royalty have schemed against him (v. 23);
· he has suffered reproach (v. 42)
· and ridicule (v. 51)
· at the hands of the wicked (vv. 61, 157).
· Also, he has been lied about (v. 69),
· and his life has been threatened (vv. 87, 95).
· There had also been a time when he strayed from God’s way, after which time he suffered affliction (illness? v. 67, 71, 75)." *
Yet, his foundation and support is to be found in God's teaching. Reading the above verses finds his response to each of these adverse situations:
23: I will meditate on your statutes.
42: I trust in your word.
51: I do not turn away from your law.
61: I do not forget your law.
69: With my whole heart I keep your precepts.
87: I have not forsaken your precepts.
71: It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.
It is one thing to eulogize and praise God's teaching, it is often a different matter to trust and follow it during difficult days. Yet, those are the very days that we NEED such guidance, comfort, and consolation. Unfortunately, a lifestyle of reading, knowing, understanding, and obeying God's word are the foundation needed to have this attitude when difficult times come! Are you prepared for troublesome times? Hugh DeLong
* [The College Press NIV Commentary, Psalms, Volume 2, Walter Zorn, College Press Publishing Company, LOGOS edition].
