Day 16
January 18
Psalms 119:121-128
We are all born with a strong sense of fairness - especially about what we feel we're owed. Spend time with any three year old and it won't be long until you hear the words, "That's not fair!" The fact is, this life is often NOT fair. We are blamed when we're blameless, and oppressed by arrogant people who never seem to get what they deserve. How is that fair?
When you read the Psalms, you get a lot of raw, unfiltered emotion. "I'm so tired of waiting for you, Lord!" (v123) "Lord, it's time for you to act!" (v126) Don't ever be afraid to be real with God. He knows what you're thinking anyway, and He can take it!
But sandwiched between these two complaints are two important servant verses: we are unfailingly loved by God in His commands (v124), and we are fully dependent on Him for the perception required to understand those commands (v125).
Verses 127 and 128 both begin with a Hebrew word best translated "Therefore…" Whenever you see this word, you need to ask what the following phrase is "there for". It's BECAUSE of God's loving faithfulness that we must value following Him beyond anything this world views as success. And it's BECAUSE of the perspective He gives that we follow His ways and stand up for truth.
This gives a perspective on "fairness" that extends beyond this brief "now" and into the eternity that's in God's hands.
Kent Primrose
We are all born with a strong sense of fairness - especially about what we feel we're owed. Spend time with any three year old and it won't be long until you hear the words, "That's not fair!" The fact is, this life is often NOT fair. We are blamed when we're blameless, and oppressed by arrogant people who never seem to get what they deserve. How is that fair?
When you read the Psalms, you get a lot of raw, unfiltered emotion. "I'm so tired of waiting for you, Lord!" (v123) "Lord, it's time for you to act!" (v126) Don't ever be afraid to be real with God. He knows what you're thinking anyway, and He can take it!
But sandwiched between these two complaints are two important servant verses: we are unfailingly loved by God in His commands (v124), and we are fully dependent on Him for the perception required to understand those commands (v125).
Verses 127 and 128 both begin with a Hebrew word best translated "Therefore…" Whenever you see this word, you need to ask what the following phrase is "there for". It's BECAUSE of God's loving faithfulness that we must value following Him beyond anything this world views as success. And it's BECAUSE of the perspective He gives that we follow His ways and stand up for truth.
This gives a perspective on "fairness" that extends beyond this brief "now" and into the eternity that's in God's hands.
Kent Primrose