DEVOTION: Psalm 119:1-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
119 [a] Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord!
2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,
3 who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways!
4 You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous rules.[b]
8 I will keep your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me!
I'm not sure that I like this passage very much. Why? Because I haven't kept all of God's statutes, I have not always sought Him with my whole heart, and I have most certainly done wrong. So, at first sight this passage is a deafening reminder of what I have not done.
Taking a little longer look, and knowing what I know, this passage is full of goodness. King David is simply praising the Lord, and shows his willingness to serve Him. He is praising God for the good things He has commanded.
A lot of times we look at God as some cosmic killjoy. We want to have fun and feel good, and we think that all those things that God, by His commands, is keeping us from having any fun. We also want to be our own God and have control over our own lives, and when God commands us to live a certain way, it is as if He is taking our control away.
This couldn't be further from the case. Just like a mother will tell a child to stay off the parking lot, because she knows it's dangerous and not because she just wants to keep us from having fun, so God, commands us to live a certain way and to keep from certain things, it's not because He wants to keep us from experiencing joy and having fun, but He loves us so much that He doesn't want us to experience the pain, suffering, and guilt that going against His will most certainly will bring.
Therefore, when we as forgiven Christians, and children who know we are loved like this, hear and see God's commands, we want to keep them because we know they are good for us. We want to keep God's commands to honor Him and to have joy in our journey as His children here on earth.
Praise God for giving you commands that He knows will benefit you and keep you from heartache, pain and guilt! Praise God for His good will, and have in your mind and heart to do His will so that you may live the way He wants you to live.
Prayer: Lord, I praise you for your good and gracious will. Thank you for giving me your law so that I may see my sin, see what is just and right, and see your love for me. Help me to live in that law, especially your command to come to You when I am weary and burdened so that I may have rest for my soul. Amen.
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CALENDAR
Mon- Confirmation 5:15-6:30
Tues- Quilting 9-2
Wed-Choir 7
Thurs- Lutheranism 101 6:30pm
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Adult Bible class 9:45; Elders meeting noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- Nova Luebke 11- Kalene Masters
Ushers- Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze, Gary Scott, Dave Winter
Altar- Set up- Don Hance; Clean up- Joann Hachtel
Elders- Sat- Randy Fischer; 8:30- Jason Cluver; 11- Jim Rahn
Greeters- 8:30- Paul and Cindy Klover; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Lay Readers- Sat- Sandra Perricone; 8:30- Steve McDowell; 11- Jim Rahn
Piano- Kathy Barrow