Psalm 119:21-24

David’s Prayer

God has corrected those who are infected with arrogance. David, not only acknowledges this, he goes on in his prayer to his Maker – to say they are cursed. It’s not too hard to see, because we know what happened in Genesis 3. When we disobeyed God, we brought curses on ourselves. Sin is costly. In David’s prayer, he points out what happens when we become prideful people.

The Truth About Pride

When we begin to live for ourselves,we stray away from God.

“You rebuke the arrogant; those who wander
from your commands are cursed (vv. 21, NLT, emphasis mine).”

The root of pride is what happens inwardly. It starts before there are outward signs of pride. In our hearts, we refuse to submit to God and somehow think our ways are better than His. This is what happens when we become people of arrogance.

Those, infected with pride, experience the cost of rejecting God and His commands. It is a high cost. We know sin brings death and turns us into God’s enemies. Instead of being a friend of God, we have gone to the otherside – becoming His enemies.

David’s Protection

David’s prayer is focused on seeking God’s protection from such people. David wanted God to be his shield against such people. Which brings up a new, important truth. When we refuse God and His Word, we not only hurt ourselves, we hurt God and His people. Sin not only costs us, but it grieves the heart of God and hurts those around us.

As a result of Noah’s sinful generation, God was heavily grieved (see Gen. 6:6). He grieves when we reject Him. He loves us to such an extent that He sent His Son to pay a price that wasn’t His to pay (see John 3:16).

God loves + we reject Him = God grieves, just as we do when we are rejected.

God’s Greatest Desire

God’s greatest desire is to walk in fellowship with Him. We were made to be in a close-knitted relationship with God. The kind of relationship we see here between David and his Creator. This is what God wants us to experience. He wants us to “draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”

Are we willing to invest in our relationship with God, our Creator?
Are we willing to submit to God, and draw near to Him?

We must decide if we will become people who are infected with pride or invested in our relationship with God. We need to ponder how invested God has continually shown Himself to be – in regards to us. Will we be infected or invested?

David’s Plea

David makes a plea before God, that the reproach and contempt would be far removed from him. Just as the stone is rolled away on the third day, David prayerfully pleas that God would roll away the scorn and contempt (springing from evil) that is placed in his life. While others breath evil, David continues to plant his feet at the seat of Christ. He continually seeks God’s face in all he says and does.

“… for I have kept thy testimonies (vv. 22, KJV).”

In our lives, what sources of scorn and contempt are there?
How are we bringing them to the throne of God?

David faced contempt against the leaders of his day “see vv. 23). Yet, he sought God. He prayed. He knew this truth before it was written in what is now the Bible.

“… let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.
There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace
to help us when we need it most (Heb. 4:16, NLT).”

God gives us the assurance of His promise to continually be our everything. He promises to be there, and give us the help we need the exact moment we need it. Will we bring our needs to “the throne of our gracious God.”

David’s Pleasure

Despite the obstacles David faced, his hope remained in God. Instead of fixating on what was going wrong in his life, he brought it before our great God. He brought it before the Lord, and stayed immersed in the Word of God!

David calls the testimonies, his delight!

Every day we are given 24 hours, how are we using those hours to make God and His Word our delight?

Not only is God’s Word the one thing we need to listen to, we need to be like David – calling the Word our counselors (see vv. 24). Instead of trying to get help from his friends or other leaders, who would of used their influence to sway him from God’s path, David sought out God. He knew to be careful where he turned for advice, because others don’t love God like he did. This is wisdom we, too, need to take to heart.

God’s Word needs to be the place where we run. Not solely in times of distress. God’s Word needs to be where we run daily. We need to make His Word our lifelong guide.

Discipleship Journal – Day 217

Luke 14:15-24; 1 Timothy 3:11-16; Proverbs 5; Ezra 7

Luke. The greatest blessing we can have, is to experience the kingdom of God! So many miss out. They will live with many regrets, because their lives is filled with excuses for why they refused God. What excuses do we have? What are our reasons for not giving God complete obedience? “Partial obedience is disobedience”. Better for us to be the poorest in this world and experience God’s kingdom, than to be of great worldly power and completely miss out. We need to go out and share the Gospel with whoever will listen! At the coming judgment, will we be one of those who accept the invitation and prepare ourselves with the garment of Christ? Or, will we be the ones who had excuses that are “more important” than what we should have been about? There is still room at the cross of Jesus Christ, come drink the salvation we have been given. Scripture reminds us that all have sinned, and we all need Jesus. He came to take away the sin of the world, if we will allow Him to be our cure!

1 Timothy. Paul states “I am writing you now so you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God (vs. 15)”. We need to pay attention to what chapter 3 states. It says much about how we are to conduct ourselves in our daily lives. The mystery of godliness is great. Because of Christ alone, we should pursue these things. “Live a life worthy of the calling”. Is what we are living for, worth Christ dying for?

Proverbs. “Just because it feels good, doesn’t mean it is”. Why associate with people who do not know the path of life? This passage clearly about adultery. We need to listen carefully, and show discernment. There are so many consequence experienced, by committing adultery. So much hurt. This proverb even reminds us that we lose honor. God designed sex for marriage between a man and a woman. Much tragedy occurs when sex is experienced outside of marriage. So many broken homes and souls, because of a moment where two people lacked self-control. This proverb shows how important wisdom is, for single and married folks alike!
Noteworthy Scripture: 15-16, 18-19, 21

Ezra. God’s hand was upon Ezra, for he determined to study and obey God’s law and teach it to the people of Israel! King Artaxerxes issued a decree, so that Ezra and the Temple of the Lord are given all that they need. God used King Artaxerxes and the royal treasuries to provide! In the letter, Ezra is told to use the wisdom God has given him, for he knows the law of God! Do we seek God’s Word? Do we commit it to memory, and seek to obey God’s Word? Do we seek to teach God’s Word to others?
Noteworthy Scripture: 6, 9-10, 14, 16, 20, 25

Discipleship Journal – Day 70

Mt. 24:36-51; Rom. 7:13-25; Ps. 58; Num. 26-27

Numbers: From this section of scripture, what I notice is the census about the men able to go to war. It is a time of registering men 20 years and old who are able physically to serve in the Lord’s army, as they conquer land. For each line reads, “their registered troops numbered ________”. The war was significant important. In getting to the promise land. In Israel being given the land. God would give His people success. I can’t help but wonder: What about those who weren’t able to go to war? While the rest of the men except for those over a certain age, these men who were unable to serve in war- what did they do? Did they merely take care of the women and children? Serve in a different area? How did they bless God and give Him the honor in what they did? How could they contribute to the war efforts? How could He serve God, and do his part?
Memorable Verses: Numbers 26:2; 27:17

Psalm: Justice. Justice! Do we see justice today? Or, do we see sinful acts swept under the rug in our society? It gets swept under the rub in our society, but it is not hidden from God. Judgment will come on this nation and people for how they have acted. As I thought about justice a little while ago, I am reminded of mercy. How much I have been spared off. Justice still served, but I was spared. Jesus Christ took my punishment–for my sins and rebellious actions against a Holy God! What if we were more reminded of justice. Mercy is often something we think about, but we forget about justice. We serve a holy God, and He is just!

Romans: “The problem isn’t with the law. The problem is with me. I am so sinful. Nothing good lives in me. The good I want to do- I cannot do. The thing I hate, I keep on doing.  I don’t understand myself. I don’t know what to do. I feel so out of control, God! To You, Oh Lord, I turn! You are my help! The sin in me is so strong; yet my flesh is so weak. But I love Your law, Lord. You are my ever-present help. With You, with Jesus Christ, I can be freed from this life. Thank you, Lord!! Keep me walking in Your Spirit. Help me to resist the deeds of darkness and my flesh!”

Matthew: Jesus Christ is coming back. The rapture can happen at any moment. We do not know the hour, but we must hasten ourselves and make ourselves ready. Are we seeking Christ? Are we assured of our salvation in Him? Do we bear the fruit of His Spirit? Lastly, do we take time to really study His word to show ourselves as an approved worker? One who doesn’t need to be ashamed? One who properly handles the Word of God? Can we (individually) say with great confidence, “Yes, I am whole-heartedly living out 2 Timothy 2:15?”.
See John 8:31-32; 2 Timothy 2:15