"Princes also sit and speak against me, but Your servant meditates on Your statutes." (Psalm 119:23)
We can also say, however, that if, "princes (do not) sit and speak against me," then I am probably not living for Jesus Christ, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). I am not saying that everyone who "has a problem with" us is unspiritual. I recently had another request to be removed from our mailing list. When I get such requests, the reasons are just code for, "I really don't like what you are doing." This is not an "I'm-better-than" issue. "Against me," happens to all of us from time to time, some justified perhaps, some not. But my course needs to be the same as the psalmist, "But Your servant meditates on Your statues," not on who's right and who's wrong or "woe is me."
After yesterday's devotional on, "I am a stranger in the earth," I found myself doing, "Your servant meditates on Your statutes," in Hebrews 11. In fact, I based last evening's video devotional on that passage. It was a blessing. "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them." Just look at what people miss when they allow, "Princes...sit and speak against me," to keep them from, "Your statutes." May I paraphrase Hebrew 12, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,..lay aside every ['speak against me'],.. looking unto Jesus," especially in, "Your statutes."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I love the contrast of our text. Help me to be on right side of it. Amen.
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ATTENTION: I guarantee you that you will hear the best commentary on America, Israel, and the turmoil in the Middle East if you go to: www.jerusalemberlinwashington.blogspot.com
Follow the directions to the location on the video, and be patient. Allow the beginning to play for a minute or so, then go to the 41 minute section to get Carolyn Glick's penetrating commentary on the present US Administration and Israel. Pass it on.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
