This portion of Psalm 119 just seems right for our Thursday time together.
Psalm 119: (Amplified Bible)
161Princes pursue and persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your words [dreading violation of them far more than the force of prince or potentate].
162I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great spoil.
163I hate and abhor falsehood, but Your law do I love.
164Seven times a day and all day long do I praise You because of Your righteous decrees.
165Great peace have they who love Your law; nothing shall offend them or make them stumble.
166I am hoping and waiting [eagerly] for Your salvation, O Lord, and I do Your commandments.
167Your testimonies have I kept [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]; I love them exceedingly!
168I have observed Your precepts and Your testimonies, for all my ways are [fully known] before You.
169Let my mournful cry and supplication come [near] before You, O Lord; give me understanding (discernment and comprehension) according to Your word [of assurance and promise].
170Let my supplication come before You; deliver me according to Your word!
171My lips shall pour forth praise [with thanksgiving and renewed trust] when You teach me Your statutes.
172My tongue shall sing [praise for the fulfillment] of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous.
173Let Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts. 174I have longed for Your salvation, O Lord, and Your law is my delight. 175Let me live that I may praise You, and let Your decrees help me.
176I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek, inquire for, and demand Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments.
via Ps 119:161-176 – Passage Lookup – Amplified Bible – BibleGateway.com.
I see His part, our part in this. Some things God just does with or without our faithfulness; but most often it’s a two party deal; our radical obedience brings on His radical blessings.
Free Dictionary dot com defines radical this way:Departing markedly from the usual or customary; extreme via radical – definition of radical by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.
Anybody for Radical? It beats mediocre, don’t you think?
Mediocre: Moderate to inferior in quality; ordinary.via mediocre – definition of mediocre by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia..
Help us to pray, help us to obey, especially when we are tired and worn. I commend to You now, ABBA, Jenny, Karen, Sonny and Cameron, Elaine, Beth C., JP and family, Julee and Bridgett and others — only Your Best, ABBA. Only Your best in JESUS Name.
Blessed to Bless,
Kathie
