Tag: Bible study

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Psalm 119, Quiet Time

The Delight of His Word

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based on the LGG Study, Psalm 119 – Seek Him With ALL Your Heart / w4d4

Scripture: Psalm 119:89-96 / SOAP verses 89-90, 92

Your eternal word, O Lord,
    stands firm in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness extends to every generation,
    as enduring as the earth you created.
91 Your regulations remain true to this day,
    for everything serves your plans.
92 If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy,
    I would have died in my misery.
93 I will never forget your commandments,
    for by them you give me life.
94 I am yours; rescue me!
    For I have worked hard at obeying your commandments.
95 Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me,
    I will quietly keep my mind on your laws.
96 Even perfection has its limits,
    but your commands have no limit.

Psalm 119:89-96 NLT

Throughout his affliction, the author clings to the truths he learns from the Scriptures, which are eternal and “stand firm in the heavens”

Gotquestions.org / Psalm 119:89-91

Throughout this Psalm, we have seen the psalmist suffer various afflictions; we have heard him cry out to God for help in one breath and declare his faithfulness to God with the next breath – even in the hard and frightening times of his life. Again today, he cries out for God to rescue him – but not before declaring the faithfulness of God’s Word and how it has sustained him with joy. By his own account, he would have died in his misery had it not been for God’s commandments. For by them, he boldly proclaims God has given him life.

I am awestruck and inspired by the psalmist’s boldness in crying out to God for help, reminding God of how hard he has worked to remember and obey His Word. Even as his life is threatened by the murderous plots of others, the psalmist vows to keep his mind on God’s law. Surely, he has learned what we must learn and put into practice – when our minds are fixed on God and His Word – we will know His peace that transcends all troubles and concerns. His Word has the power that we need for any and every situation. Be it fear or strife, heartache or need, forgiveness or wisdom… His Word stands firm and able to rescue us and guide us to safe pastures.

The More We Know

This is some wonderful commentary I found on some of today’s verses – I hope it is a helpful blessing to take you deeper into our journey. You can find even more commentary on Psalm 119 by following this link https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-119/

(92-93) The sustaining power of God’s word.

Unless Your law had been my delight,
I would then have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget Your precepts,
For by them You have given me life.

a. Unless Your law had been my delight: The psalmist rejoiced that the word of God had been his delight. Reading and studying and meditating on God’s word were not burdensome; they were a delight.

i. We can speculate that one reason this was so was because God met him in His word. When we have fellowship with God in and through His word, it makes our time in His law delightful.

b. I would then have perished in my affliction: The psalmist knew that without his relationship with God and His word, he would not have been sustained in his season of affliction.

i. Again, it should be stressed that this delight goes beyond mere Bible knowledge. It is the relationship with God in and through His word that gives strength and spiritual nourishment.

ii. “What got him through his afflictions was his lifelong habit of reading, marking, learning, meditating upon, spiritually digesting, and above all obeying God’s Law.” (Boice)

iii. “‘Thy law…my delights…in mine affliction.’ I happened to be standing in a grocer’s shop one day in a large manufacturing town in the west of Scotland, when a poor, old, frail widow came in to make a few purchases. There never was, perhaps, in that town a more severe time of distress. Nearly every loom was stopped. Decent and respectable tradesmen who had seen better days, were obliged to subsist on public charity. So much money per day (but a trifle at most) was allowed to the really poor and deserving. The poor widow had received her daily pittance, and she had now come into the shop of the grocer to lay it out to the best advantage. She had but a few coppers in her withered hands. Carefully did she expend her little stock – a pennyworth of this and the other necessary of life nearly exhausted all she had. She came to the last penny, and with a singular expression of heroic contentment and cheerful resignation on her wrinkled face, she said, ‘Now I must buy oil with this, that I may see to read my Bible during these long dark nights, for it is my only comfort now when every other comfort has gone away.’” (Alexander Wallace, cited in Spurgeon)

c. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life: The psalmist remembered the life-giving power and character of God’s word. It was this life that strengthened him in the season of affliction.

i. God’s word brings life because it is alive. “The Bible is alive, it speaks to me; it has feet, it runs after me; it has hands, it lays hold of me. The Bible is not antique or modern. It is eternal.” (Luther, cited in Boice)

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Psalm 119, Quiet Time

Crying Out to God

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based on the LGG Study, Psalm 119 – Seek Him With ALL Your Heart / w4d3

Scripture: Psalm 119:86-88 / SOAP verse 86-88

All your commands are trustworthy.
    Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause.
87 They almost finished me off,
    but I refused to abandon your commandments.
88 In your unfailing love, spare my life;
    then I can continue to obey your laws.

Psalm 119:86-88 NLT

Today’s post is borrowed and shared from the original LGG Post for w4d3 of Psalm 119… May it be a rich blessing of encouragement and hope –

CRYING OUT TO GOD…

by Angela Perritt | Jul 8, 2015 | 38 comments

Love God Greatly

Seeking, longing, searching… this poor Psalmist is waiting on the Lord to deliver him from this affliction.

He is trying to remain strong, but he is growing weary, feeling as though he could faint. His eyes are tired from looking for glimpses of God.

Have you ever been there? I know I have.

The Psalmist knows that God loves him, but the questions are building in his mind: “How much longer, Lord?” “When will you comfort me?” (Psalm 119:82).

He is needing a break.

If his life was a football game, he’d be calling a time out.

Let’s just say that the path he is walking is no “walk in the park.” It may be the “straight and narrow,” but God never called it “easy.”

I love the honestly of this Psalmist. He’s just real with God. He’s over this affliction he has been going through, and he’s ready for God to move in and pronounce judgment over the men who have been causing him so much pain.

“Enough is enough,” you can almost hear him say.

“When will you punish my persecutors?”  The question that has been taunting him in his mind finally breaks free (Psalm 119:84).

“How much more?”

God is building this man’s patience and faith.

As before, the Psalmist turns to God’s commands and declares them trustworthy… even in the midst of the unknown.

“Help me…” (vs. 86).

It’s not a fancy prayer, but it’s genuine and comes straight from the Psalmist’s heart. God will take simple and heartfelt prayers over fancy and routine any day.

And so we find our Psalmist friend waiting on the Lord to intervene. To be his Deliverer, his Redeemer, his Savior.

But in the waiting, he doesn’t lose hope. And neither should we.

I’m not sure why God is waiting so long to deliver this poor man from this difficult situation, but I do know this: God is good and what He does is good. And so we continue to seek the Lord, placing our trust and hope in Him.

One of the many beautiful aspects of being a Christian is that no matter how dark our life is right now, we always have heaven to look forward to.

Our best is yet to come.

And so like the Psalmist, we find ourselves in the waiting.

Waiting for God to move.

Waiting for “doors” to open.

Waiting for a break in our “storms.”

And in the waiting God is there.

Though we may feel like we are being torn down, He is building strength into us. As we dig into His Word and ponder Scripture – holding His promises closer to our hearts than ever before – we cling to His truth. What Satan may have tried to hurt us with, God uses to bring us closer to Him, strengthening us in our faith and increasing our capacity for greater patience.

Like the Psalmist, maybe you too feel weak, like you are ready to “tap out” of the battle. It’s just getting too hard.

Know this… you are not alone.

“Rest on His promises and rely on His love. When the Father allows His children to go into the furnace of affliction, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat. He knows how long and how much. To walk by faith will bring unrest and weakness, but to meditate on the Word will bring peace and power.” –Warren W. Wiersbe

No matter what you are facing today, remember that God is strengthening you and purifying you for a greater purpose.

Keep your eyes focused on Him. He will not forsake you.

Let’s Talk: How is God using your time of  “waiting” to strengthen you in your faith?

Love God Greatly!

angela
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Psalm 119, Quiet Time

Waiting

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based on Psalm 119, Seeking Him with ALL our hearts… – A Love God Greatly Study/w4d2

Scripture: Psalm 119:81-85 / SOAP verses 81, 83-84

 I am worn out waiting for your rescue,
    but I have put my hope in your word.
82 My eyes are straining to see your promises come true.
    When will you comfort me?
83 I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke,
    but I have not forgotten to obey your decrees.
84 How long must I wait?
    When will you punish those who persecute me?
85 These arrogant people who hate your instructions
    have dug deep pits to trap me.

Psalm 119:81-85 NLT

At first glance, this psalm may seem like a complaint, and perhaps it was. However, for me, it offers encouragement and a bit of a boost in the relationship I see between the Psalmist and God – as well as the determination and commitment of the Psalmist to stay faithful even when the waiting seems like it will never end. The Psalmist is tired of waiting, asking again and again – “When will You …?” or “How long …” Yet, even in the waiting, he remained hopeful, he kept his eyes fixed on God and His promises, and he continued to obey God’s decrees and trust Him to act on his behalf. Oh, that I might be so faithful in the times of waiting.

I just returned from Disney with my daughters and my 2-year-old grandson, and I couldn’t help but think of them as I observed the words and actions of the Psalmist. If you’ve never been to Disney, you may not be able to picture the amount of waiting that is required, and when you stay on the property, the waiting is compounded. I don’t know that waiting comes easy for anyone, but it certainly doesn’t come easy for a 2-year-old.

We waited in line to check in at the airport, we waited in security, we waited through two delays to board the plane, we waited to take off, we waited on our bus to the resort, and for four wonderful days, we waited in line after line for rides and food and characters and transportation … over and over, we waited and over and over we heard the 2-year-old version of the Psalmist’s questions of “how long?” or “when?” – which typically sounded like, “my turn?” or “I’m ready, go.”

Each day and each waiting experience brought more confidence that the ride, food, transportation, or character would eventually come. As that confidence grew, so too did his patience. Like the Psalmist, our little guy learned that even when he was worn out with waiting, the line we were in was leading to the promised adventure. He would strain to see the ‘promised’ ride and found hope in what he could see ahead – or when he couldn’t see it, he found hope in our reminders of what was coming.

This is the encouragement I see in the Psalmist in today’s passage. The waiting wasn’t easy—it left him weary and worn, but he remembered God’s promises. He kept his eyes on the prize, and he did not lose hope or forget to obey.

Living out the Journey (Application)

Waiting isn’t easy, but learning to wait well is important in the Christian life. The key is to keep our eyes on the Lord, remembering His promises, knowing that He is trustworthy and putting our hope in Him. Waiting is not an excuse to go off on our own or do things our own way. Though we may grow weary in the wait, we must not forget to live as God has called us to. Like my grandson, we must learn to expect what God has promised – be it His presence, His protection or provision, His comfort, or the new heaven and earth – what He has promised – He will do! And the wait will be worth it all!

Response to the Journey (Prayer)

Father, You are God—faithful and true to Your Word. You are worthy of our trust no matter the wait—worthy even when we can’t see You anywhere. Even when we are in danger or weary and worn, we can trust You. Help us to wait with hope—our eyes straining and fixed on Your promises—our resolve to obey You unshaken! In Jesus’ name—amen and amen!

The More We Know

Why is waiting on God so difficult?

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Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Psalm 119, Quiet Time

His Unfailing LOVE

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Scripture: Psalm 119:73-80 / SOAP verses 75-79

You made me; you created me.
    Now give me the sense to follow your commands.
74 May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy,
    for I have put my hope in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair;
    you disciplined me because I needed it.
76 Now let your unfailing love comfort me,
    just as you promised me, your servant.
77 Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live,
    for your instructions are my delight.
78 Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me;
    meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.
79 Let me be united with all who fear you,
    with those who know your laws.
80 May I be blameless in keeping your decrees;
    then I will never be ashamed.

Psalm 119:73-80 NLT

Today’s Post is by Joy, a member of the LGG Team

We are in verses Psalm 119:73-80 today, and there is so much richness in these verses. I’m not going to be able to cover all of them, so I want to camp on just a few.

Verses 76-77 say this: “Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant. Let your mercy come to me that I may live. For your law is my delight.”

The Psalmist is crying out to God for His favor. As we saw in verse 75, he owned God’s justice for his affliction – which is a big deal – and is now asking God for His mercy.

God’s steadfast love is a comfort. It is THE comfort {verse 76}. As the Matthew Henry commentary says, “Gracious souls fetch all their comfort from a gracious God, as the fountain of all happiness and joy.”

I love the word comfort!

Then it goes on… “For your law is my delight.” God’s word becomes a delight- a comfort to our souls.

So let me ask you:

Where are you turning for comfort? Is it giving you lasting and true satisfaction? Or, as Dr. Phil would say, “How’s that workin’ for ya?”

My challenge for this week is this: Turn your heart back to the Lord and His steadfast love. Ask Him for His blessed mercy and experience His steadfast love as you read and meditate on His Word. 

With Love From Uganda,

joy signature

Week 4 Challenge:
Turn your heart back to the Lord and His steadfast love. Ask Him for His blessed mercy and experience His steadfast love as you read and meditate on His Word.

WK4MV

Week 4 Memory Verse

The More You Know

For the full post, including video and reading plan click here

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Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Psalm 119, Quiet Time

REVIVE ME-

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Response to Week Two’s Journey
Scripture: PSALM 119:25-48

I lie in the dust;
    revive me by your word.
26 I told you my plans, and you answered.
    Now teach me your decrees.
27 Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,
    and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28 I weep with sorrow;
    encourage me by your word.
29 Keep me from lying to myself;
    give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.
30 I have chosen to be faithful;
    I have determined to live by your regulations.
31 I cling to your laws.
    Lord, don’t let me be put to shame!
32 I will pursue your commands,
    for you expand my understanding.

He

33 Teach me your decrees, O Lord;
    I will keep them to the end.
34 Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;
    I will put them into practice with all my heart.
35 Make me walk along the path of your commands,
    for that is where my happiness is found.
36 Give me an eagerness for your laws
    rather than a love for money!
37 Turn my eyes from worthless things,
    and give me life through your word.[a]
38 Reassure me of your promise,
    made to those who fear you.
39 Help me abandon my shameful ways;
    for your regulations are good.
40 I long to obey your commandments!
    Renew my life with your goodness.

Waw

41 Lord, give me your unfailing love,
    the salvation that you promised me.
42 Then I can answer those who taunt me,
    for I trust in your word.
43 Do not snatch your word of truth from me,
    for your regulations are my only hope.
44 I will keep on obeying your instructions
    forever and ever.
45 I will walk in freedom,
    for I have devoted myself to your commandments.
46 I will speak to kings about your laws,
    and I will not be ashamed.
47 How I delight in your commands!
    How I love them!
48 I honor and love your commands.
    I meditate on your decrees.

Psalm 119:25-48 NLT

by Joy Forney | Jun 25, 2015 

Revive.

It stirs up strong feelings of desire for me. In Psalm 119:25,  it says, “My soul cleaves to the dust; Revive me according to your Word.” In other versions, it uses words like “quicken” and “give me life,” but revive brings about a beautiful word picture.

Revive means making alive, keeping alive, and giving more life.

I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty good to me right about now!

Here in Uganda, we really have only two seasons: rainy and dry. But since the kids’ school schedule lines up with the US, we still call the school break “summer.” So we are on summer break. And there is no better time to sit before the Lord than when schedules are just a bit slower. So this summer, I am asking the Lord, “Revive Me! Revive me according to Your Word!”

Why do we need reviving?

In verse 37, David reminds us to “turn our eyes from looking at vanity.” I don’t know about you, but my eyes could use a turning back to His Word.

Two things in my life cause me to turn my eyes:

One is my own sin…

Chasing after things of this world that do not satisfy and turning to them rather than to God and His Word. Oh yes, these things are small – like certain television shows or engaging in gossip with a friend, but as the Ugandans say, “slowly by slowly” my eyes are turned toward the vanity of the world instead of loving and feeding on God’s Word.

Then there are the stories of the world’s vanity…

They bombard me, worry me, sicken me, and turn my focus away from trusting God. When I look at the world getting caught up in its own vanity, I get discouraged – rather than encouraged – by God’s story.

As Charles Spurgeon says, “We have nothing to do with this vain world! We are not citizens of this land!”

So let me ask you: Do you and I live this way? Do we live as citizens of another land? Or instead, do we keep our eyes turned toward the vanity of this world, telling ourselves that it is okay; it’s just a little bit; it’s no big deal? Yes, we are in the world, but we are not to be of it.

It is time to be revived, sisters! 

Let this be our prayer:

-Revive me according to Your Word. v.25

-Revive me in Your ways. v.37

-Revive me in Your righteousness. v.40

-May Your lovingkindness also come to me, O Lord. v.41

-I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes. v.48

O Lord, we pray that you would revive us, your daughters. Thank you for Your Word, which is living and active. We are sorry for turning our eyes toward vanity. Forgive us, and turn our eyes back to You and Your Word. We want to love Your Word. Give us fervent love for Your Word. Give us love for Your commandments. Help us to meditate on Your statutes. Let this summer be a time of reviving our hearts. Amen.

I want to hear from you in the comments. What has been turning your eyes toward vanity? And are you going to join me and ask the Lord to be revived?

With love from Uganda,

joy signature
Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Psalm 119

The Goodness of God

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Scripture: Psalm 119:65-72 / SOAP verses 67-68, 71-72

You have done many good things for me, Lord,
    just as you promised.
66 I believe in your commands;
    now teach me good judgment and knowledge.
67 I used to wander off until you disciplined me;
    but now I closely follow your word.
68 You are good and do only good;
    teach me your decrees.
69 Arrogant people smear me with lies,
    but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are dull and stupid,
    but I delight in your instructions.
71 My suffering was good for me,
    for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.
72 Your instructions are more valuable to me
    than millions in gold and silver.

Psalm 119:65-72 NLT

I love how the Psalmist doesn’t just acknowledge that God is good but specifically declares that God is good to him personally. This was a game changer in my relationship with God 30+ years ago—not only seeing His goodness but experiencing it personally. I can tell you that when this happens, we find ourselves wanting to know God more, wanting to experience Him more, following Him faithfully, and finding Him more valuable to us than all of the other things in our lives.

This personal relationship is a two-way street. Notice how the Psalmist requests that God teach him His decrees. Yet even more, he is able to declare that he obeys God’s commandments with all of his heart, delights in God’s instructions, and even realizes the benefit of his suffering. It becomes clear to the Psalmist, as it should to us, that God’s Word is more valuable than any other earthly treasure.

Encouragement for the journey

Don’t just look for God’s goodness, look for His personal goodness to you. Seek good judgment and knowledge from Him. Ask Him to teach you His decrees, learn from His discipline, pay attention to His instructions, and treasure them as costly gold and silver.

Prayer for the journey

Father, indeed, You’re not only good – You are good to us. It is true that You keep Your promises. As the Psalmist said. I, too, believe in Your commands and ask that You will teach us good judgment and grace us with knowledge of You and Your Word. Thank You for the discipline we have known through the course of our lives – may it lead us to follow closely in Your Word – and enhance our desire to continually know You more – Amen.

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Psalm 119, Quiet Time

I WILL RISE UP AND GIVE YOU THANKS…

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Scripture: Psalm 119:61-64 / SOAP verses 62-64

Evil people try to drag me into sin,
    but I am firmly anchored to your instructions.
62 I rise at midnight to thank you
    for your just regulations.
63 I am a friend to anyone who fears you—
    anyone who obeys your commandments.
64 O Lord, your unfailing love fills the earth;
    teach me your decrees.

Psalm 119:61-64 NLT

by WhitneyD | Jul 1, 2015 | 87 comments

The generator had been shut down hours before. Funny how many things you can hear in the middle of the night without the hum of electricity drowning out the sounds of the earth. I was twenty-one and wide awake in a foreign land, and God had met me there.

Of course he was there. He’s everywhere.

But somehow less noise, less stuff, less of me had helped me see him more clearly than I had in a very long time. 

To my shame, I had uttered a lot of telling words in the weeks leading up to the trip…

Words of doubt as I struggled to make solid plans for my future.

Words of envy as I saw others prospering around me while I floundered.

Words of strife as I worked hard to take one step forward, only to end up two steps back.

Words of emptiness as I secretly chased worldly acceptance over God’s ways.

Words of frustration as I questioned the lack of peace my life.

My heart had been so consumed with all that was going wrong that – sadly – I was stuck wallowing in the negative instead of joyfully pursuing God and his Word.

“I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.” ~ Psalm 119:59

But in the quiet of that night, when everything else had been stripped away, God’s Word came alive.

I was reminded that my future is in God’s hands (Jeremiah 29:11).

I rejoiced over the fact that God is for me, and that his ways are intended for my good (Romans 8:31-32).

Peace flooded my soul as I once again found delight in God’s commands (Psalm 119:35).

And instead of sleep evading me due to the usual stress and overthinking, I was kept awake by a profound gratefulness for God’s unmerited grace in my life.

It was high time that I uttered new words…

I used to resent how often my desperation drives me to the feet of Jesus, but now I know that very place is often where I find even more reasons to celebrate the goodness of God.

Why?

Because his grace is simply more beautiful in my need. 

When little ones won’t settle down for the night, I will rise up and give you thanks.

When relationships are strained, I will rise up and give you thanks.

When my health is compromised, I will rise up and give you thanks.

When my future is unknown, I will rise up and give you thanks.

When I am persecuted for my faith, I will rise up and give you thanks.

When nations turn their backs on you God, I will still rise up and give you thanks.

“Whatever else may happen in this world, whoever else may turn their back on you when the chips are down, of this you may be sure: he whose trust and hope and confidence is in the unfailing love of God will never be put to shame.” ~ Sam Storms

Father, because of your righteous laws and your steadfast love – no matter what trials come our way – we can rise up and give you thanks.

And just like that, thanksgiving turns night into day…

At His feet,

*LET’S TALK: What kinds of words are you uttering in your trials? Whatever is going on in your life right now, together, let’s flood heaven with prayers of thankfulness to God for his righteous laws and steadfast love. Would you share your prayer in the comments today?

Posted in Bible study

GOD’S WORD, OUR COMFORT…

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by Jen Thorn | LGG Post of Jun 28, 2015 |

Welcome to week 3 of our Psalm 119 study!

What do you run to for comfort?

For me it is people.  If I am sad or scared or worried or discouraged I go to my husband or friends.

But people are not the only source of comfort, right? Some seek comfort in their money, retail therapy, food, work, or sleep. Others try to escape through fiction books or movies. And sadly, some pick really dangerous ways of coping by using  drugs and alcohol.

There is nothing wrong with seeking comfort from others. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 tells us that we are to encourage each other. It is also fine to watch a funny movie to make us laugh when we are feeling a bit down. But we can’t rely on earthly things to bring real lasting comfort.

Once the friends leave or the movie is over we are right back in the midst of our suffering. Earthly things can only comfort us in part, but the Psalmist tells us that there is a place we can go to find real lasting comfort.

Each eight verse section in Psalm 119 has a theme, and today Psalm 119:49-56 deals with God’s word as our comforter. Verse 50, in particular, is a key verse for us:

This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your word has revived me.

If we accept them by faith then these words become personal. These words are not from some God, but from our God. They are words to us from our Father and from our Redeemer. We belong to him, and he cares for us.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction ~ 2 Cor. 1:3-4

God’s word can give us peace while we are in the midst of a wild storm. It can bring comfort while we are afraid, tired, and worn out. We can have hope that he will see us through to the other side.

Romans 15 tells us that “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

The best comfort we find in Scripture is that Christ died for us.  It puts everything else into perspective. We have something far better waiting for us. These hard times – while they are difficult – will only last for awhile.

God’s word has the ability to give us life in the midst of any circumstance… life that is made up of hope, joy, praise and strength.

Looking To Jesus,

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Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Psalm 119, Quiet Time

WHEN FEAR GRIPS US…

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Psalm 119

This week’s response to : Psalm 119:25-48

Today’s post is shared from the LGG archives / written by Angela Perritt | as posted Jul 2, 2015 

“Mama… I can’t sleep. I’m so afraid. So afraid something bad is going to happen to all of us,” she says with tears streaming down her beautiful face.

Fear.

This sweet girl of mine has recently been struggling with a crippling fear that something bad is going to happen to her family. And like all of us with fears, it’s been keeping her up at night.

I walk her back to her room, tuck her in bed, and lay down next to her. With foreheads pressed in, I pray over her as I stroke her hair, quote Scripture, and recite God’s promise to never leave or forsake us. I remind her that this type of fear is not of God.

And so we talk about God – how powerful He is, how much He loves us, and how very GOOD He is.

God is good all the time.

Despite the nightly news reports… God is good.

Despite the diagnosis… God is good.

Despite the pain and heartbreak in this life… God is good.

The two of us cling a little closer to Jesus those nights as I pray my heart out over my girl – fighting this unseen battle as powerfully as any mama can – in the name above all names…

Jesus.

Eventually after prayers, kisses on the forehead, and a back rubbed, she drifts off to sleep. Peaceful and no longer battling fear, my girl knows that she is loved. She has been reminded that God loves her and will never leave her, and she rests in that truth.

God is good.

When bad things happen in our lives, we must remember this truth. “You are good and what you do is good…”– Psalm 119:68

Sweet friends, this world is not our home. We have to stop wishing that it is and start looking forward to the one that is to come.

We are not home yet, but let’s not give in to the fears in this life. Our God is good and what He does is good, in spite of what people say.

Yes, we live in an evil, evil world….and I am heartbroken over what I see. But we must remember that we are here for a purpose. YOU are here for a purpose, so let us NOT lose hope!

∼ May we fight back the fears that keep us up at night with God’s Word and His truth.

∼ May we use these battles for good, allowing them to make us cling even closer to Jesus as we press our foreheads in next to Him and cry “Abba, Father.”

∼ May we fall more in love with Him and His Word, truly treasuring it like pieces of silver and gold (Psalm 119:72).

God has the power to bring good from what Satan plans for evil.

“It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.” Psalm 119:71

Charles Quote

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for the amazing work YOU are doing in our lives. Thank you for the hope that is found in YOU! Thank you that you never leave us or forsake us. Thank you that you have equipped us for every good work You have planned for our lives. Help us to see you. Open our eyes to your presence and help us to be women whose faith is deepened and stronger due to affliction. Help us to treasure You as our King…..more than any precious stone. And help us to fall more and more in love with You each day. Thank you for your love, and thank you that you are good.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

May we all cling a little closer to Jesus…

Angela- Love God Greatly

Love God Greatly!

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Prayer Starters, Psalm 119, Quiet Time

Trust His Heart

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based on Love God Greatly’s study of Psalm 119 / w2d4

Today’s Scripture: Psalm 119:41-48 / SOAP: 41-42, 45

May I experience your loyal love, O Lord,
and your deliverance, as you promised.
42 Then I will have a reply for the one who insults me,
for I trust in your word.
43 Do not completely deprive me of a truthful testimony,
for I await your justice.
44 Then I will keep your law continually
now and for all time.
45 I will be secure,
for I seek your precepts.
46 I will speak about your regulations before kings
and not be ashamed.
47 I will find delight in your commands,
which I love.
48 I will lift my hands to your commands,
which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.

Psalm 119:41-48 NET

The psalmist longed for expressions of God’s chesed (Hebrew for “covenant loyalty, faithful love”) in light of the persecution and hostility against him. He sought God’s salvation from oppression. The freedom offered to the person who walks according to God’s word enables him to remain strong through adversity and to maintain his focus on God’s decrees. The righteous person is courageous enough to speak of the Lord, and he will not be ashamed.

HCSB Commentary on Psalm 119:41-48

Have you ever experienced a time or even a season when it felt like God was absent? In your struggles, you search for signs of Him, a fingerprint or a whisper, something that lets you know He is near and hasn’t forgotten you. You know that God loves you and has promised deliverance. Like the psalmist, you long to feel that He is near – you want to experience His promise of deliverance; you want to feel His love and know He hasn’t forgotten you. While we don’t know for sure who wrote this Psalm and find few commentaries on the ‘story behind the scenes’, it seems to me the psalmist was dealing with these emotions. Yet, in the absence of experiencing or feeling God’s presence near, he proclaims his trust in God’s Word and announces he will find security by seeking God’s Word, or as the Holman Christian Standard Bible translates it – “focusing on God’s decrees.”

As I read through this passage and began making my observations, an old hymn flooded my mind and seemed to sum it up nicely for me. You may remember the hymn, “Trust and Obey.” Like our passage today, the song is a reminder that while troubles will come and doubts and fears will arise, and while we will undoubtedly experience sorrows and burdens from grief and loss – when we faithfully “do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.” Friends, you may not be experiencing God’s love right now, you may not be seeing His fingerprints or hearing even a whisper from Him – but to borrow from a quote I once read and from teachings throughout the Scriptures- “when you can’t see God’s hand, trust His heart.”


Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
will trust and obey.

Living Out the Journey (Application)

When we TRUST in the LORD – when we know His love and salvation – we will be able to answer those who taunt or insult us … we will walk in freedom when we are devoted to His commandments because we will not be weighed down with the sway and guilt of sin… In other words, we will be controlled by His Spirit in word and deed from the inside out, and we will know life and peace rather than a life that leads to death (Romans 8:6).

So, letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

Romans 8:6 NLT

In searching out the commentaries for clarity on this portion of our journey, I ran across the following treasure from the Blue Letter Bible. I’ve shared just the portion on our soap passage – however, you can find the entire Psalm explained in “The More We Know” section at the end of this post.1

 a. Let Your mercies come…Your salvation according to Your word: Here the psalmist acknowledged that mercy and salvation come from God to man through the word of God. The word of God doesn’t merely point us toward mercy and salvation, as if it were a self-help book. It actually brings mercy and salvation to us.

  • i. The psalmist rightly said mercies, in the plural. God’s gracious mercy to us is so great that it can only be described in the plural, with mercy piled on top of mercy.
  • ii. “He desires mercy as well as teaching, for he was guilty as well as ignorant.” (Spurgeon)
    • He needed mercy, not only teaching.
    • He needed many mercies, so the request is in the plural.
    • He needed mercy from God more than from man, so the request is made to God.

b. So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word: Trust in God’s word provides an answer to those who reproach us. The disapproving voices we often hear can be answered by our abiding trust in the approval that we believers find in God.

  • i. When we believe who God is and what He has done for us in Jesus Christ, the disapproval of this world is answered.
Study Guide for Psalm 119 / BlueLetterBible.org (41-42)

And I will walk at liberty: Having just spoken of the obedience that comes from having God’s word within, the psalmist now testifies that this obedience brings a life of liberty. Freedom comes through obedience and submission to God.

  • i. It is proven in many lives, in both the positive and the negative: Obedience and the pursuit of God’s word and wisdom lead to liberty. Disobedience, rejection of God’s word, and reliance upon one’s own wisdom lead to bondage.
  • ii. “Saints find no bondage in sanctity. The Spirit of holiness is a free spirit; he sets men at liberty and enables them to resist every effort to bring them under subjection. The way of holiness is not a track for slaves, but the King’s highway for freemen.” (Spurgeon)
Study Guide for Psalm 119 / BlueLetterBible.org (45)
Prayer for the Journey

Father, Your Word is full of instruction and examples from those who have walked before us. The teachings and examples both warn us and encourage us, and they fill us with wisdom – that if we are wise, we will heed. We have been gifted Your Holy Spirit, and we have been promised that You will never leave or forsake us, but like the Psalmist, we find ourselves at times in places where we can not sense Your presence – help us – in these times to pray the prayer of this Psalmist: May I experience your loyal love, O Lord, and your deliverance, as you promised. Help us to know the security that comes from seeking Your Word diligently, with all our hearts – that we might not be controlled by the sinful nature but by Your Spirit. – Amen and amen!

Music for the Journey
The More We Know

F. Waw ו: Liberty comes from loving God’s word.