Psalm 119:73-80Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word. I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me. May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts. May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes. May my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be put to shame.

 

Although God has formed us with His hands and given us life and being, there is further formation that needs to occur in all of us.  Like the Psalmist, we need help conforming to God’s righteous commands.  It will be a good day when others, who have been shaped and molded by the hand of the Lord, will rejoice because of the transformation that is taking place in us as a result of the application of God’s Word in our lives.  God faithfully disciplines those He loves and He loves those whom He disciplines.  His purpose in affliction is that we might share in His glory.  Even though God’s rebuke and discipline is painful, His unfailing love and His promise to those who trust in Him provide comfort that completely soothes every pain and sorrow connected with that affliction.

 

Many years ago I wrote a song of prayer that I believe coincides with these meditations.  I titled it, “Deserving No, But Needy Yes.”  The refrain says, “Deserving – No! But needy – Yes! I come to Thee and here confess: I cannot live without your grace; Oh, let me find that resting place.”  The Psalmist says something very similar as he declares, “Let your compassion come to me that I may live.”  We would be crushed and devastated if all that we received from God was just what we deserved – but His Word assures us of His grace and compassion! 

 

We all have those who treat us unfairly and unjustly – just because they can!  Our writer is confident that God’s enduring precepts will ultimately bring such people to shame for their actions – and shame is something he wants to avoid in his own life.  He also recognizes that, if he’s living righteously before God, the hearts of other righteous believers will be turned to him.  The Psalmist’s prayer concludes much like the old hymn that says: “Oh, for a heart that is whiter than snow, Kept ever kept ‘neath the life-giving flow, Cleansed from all passion, self-seeking and pride, Washed in the fountain of Calvary’s tide.  Oh, for a heart whiter than snow!  Savior divine, to whom else shall I go?  Thou who didst die, loving me so, Give me a heart that is whiter than snow!”  May the hand of God continue to bring the finishing touches of truth and grace in our lives!

 

Thursday:                   

  • Meet together with at least 1 or 2 other believers to enter the Throne Room of Grace.
  • Join our 6:00pm Thursday night prayer team.         

Friday:             

  • Thank God that He formed you in His own image and likeness and that He’s not finished with forming you yet.   
  • Pray for the Good News families of the week: Betty George, David & Sarah George (Nathanael, Rachael), Matthew & Megan George (Nicole).

Saturday:       

  • Pray that those who have been more fully molded and shaped by the Word of God may be able to see the transformation taking place in you.

Sunday:                                  

  • Give thanks that God disciplines those He loves and that He loves those He disciplines. 
  • Join in with our Sunday prayer services to pray for God’s presence and blessing.

 Monday:                                 

  • Although you do not deserve it, pray that God will continually extend to you His mercy and grace!
  • Attend “In Touch” Prayer meeting at GNCC at 10:30am or join in prayer at that time.

 Tuesday:       

  • Pray that God will give you a heart that is whiter than snow.

Wednesday:   

  • Give thanks that the one who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.   

 

Prayer Challenge: Pray that God will grant every believer: a passionate devotion to His Word, a humble recognition that we have much room for growth and improvement, His corrective discipline (that may be painful but produces good fruit), and a steadfast courage with strength to endure the arrogance, hostility, ridicule and slander of those who disregard the beauty and authority of God’s Word.

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