Psalm 119: 65-72 (NIV)
Do good to your servant
according to your word, Lord.
Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I trust your commands.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey your word.
You are good, and what you do is good;
teach me your decrees.
Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
I keep your precepts with all my heart.
Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
but I delight in your law.
It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees.
The law from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
Once again, I have been stuck by the whole section of Psalm 119 which was part of today’s daily reading because it teaches a lot in its entirety. David asks at the beginning of the reading to know knowledge and good judgement. As the verses progress, we see why. He made choices which choices which led him astray and into a time of trial. However, the good thing is that he has learned from his mistake and now asks God for guidance to make sure he doesn’t repeat the same mistake.
He also acknowledges that the time of trial was beneficial to him, because through it he drew closer to God and caused him to appreciate the word and teaching of the Lord.
We can be like David and make choices or decisions that were unwise and take us into a time of trial. But don we learn from that experience as David had done? David can actually say that it was good for him to experience that time of trial because it brought him out the other side closer to God. And it can be so for us if we find ourselves in a similar position. And even if we have not strayed off the path, we may find ourselves wrongly maligned as David mentions here too. If we find ourselves in that position where people are speaking ill of us, not caring whether they hurt our feelings, then that too is a time of affliction. In that situation the best thing we can do is as David did; to seek knowledge and good judgement from the Lord, because His word id good, and we will come out the other side all the stronger.
Dear Lord,
I’m grateful that we can learn from the experience of those lives recorded in the Bible. Help me to apply the lessons that they have shared with us. Your word is good and indeed a treasure better than many riches if I will apply it to my life. Thank You, and may I be diligent in going so. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.