Psalm 119 - 6.3.25

SCRIPTURE:  PSALM 119:65-72

65 Do good to your servant
    according to your word, Lord.

66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
    for I trust your commands.

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
    but now I obey your word.

68 You are good, and what you do is good;
    teach me your decrees.

69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
    I keep your precepts with all my heart.

70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
    but I delight in your law.

71 It was good for me to be afflicted
    so that I might learn your decrees.

72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me
    than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

OBSERVATION

Many scholars attribute this Psalm to David but some think it could also be written by Daniel. Either man was God fearing, loyal to the Lord, and afflicted in many ways but knew everything came from and directed them back to God.

I love how this Psalm goes between acknowledging the trials and afflictions David or Daniel experienced yet counters with trusting God’s commands, delights and follows God’s law, and praises God’s goodness. He values God’s word more than thousands of pieces of silver and gold – basically more than any valuable thing on this earth.

APPLICATION

Recently I was listening to a pastor’s sermon on the radio about affliction and how many Christians view affliction as a negative, that they’ve done something wrong, and more. The trails, afflictions, and all that life can throw at you (and I’ve personally gone through many) can be “good for me” and a blessing just like verse 71 says:

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

The Psalmist took the afflictions he endured and found the blessing – the goodness -  in drawing closer to the Lord and learning His ways of life.  He shows the way he found the goodness by:

-        “trusting your commands” verse 66

-         “now I obey your word” verse 67

-        Being teachable in asking God to “teach me your decrees” verse 68

-        Keeping “your precepts with all my heart” verse 69

-        “delight in your law.” Verse 70

The Psalmist then concludes in verse 71 that “it was good for me to be afflicted.”  He took all that he endured and brought it full circle back to God.

I think it’s safe to say we’ve all endured some trails, afflictions, and troubles in life. Sometimes they are short moments in the seasons of life, or they can be long or even  longer. I’ve been through short ones, multiple ones at once and long ones too. The only way I was able to make it through was to keep God as my focus, to find the blessing and see that every trial is for good.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4  

Please know I’m not saying trails and afflictions are easy to get through. Knowing who holds it all together and who can give you peace through your troubles is the key:

 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

We are all human and in the moment can start to worry, stress, or even have tears. At that moment, I take a deep breath, pray, and remember that throughout everything in life, I have seen God bring me up and out of all the negativity and into the blessings. Remember God’s goodness is everlasting. He will turn that trial into something we need, to bless us in one way or another, to draw us closer to Him, and more!  He makes all things good.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”  2 Corinthians 9:8

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for your Word. In each word, chapter, verse, your Word is everlasting and a comfort. Thank you for always bringing the wrong in life back into your focus, to your goodness and for what’s best in my life. Help me to always see you in everything, to always give you glory through everything, and to praise you in the midst of it all. I trust you, and only want you in my life. In Jesus name, Amen!

- Mary Oberg