Psalm 119 "Series"

"Let the proud be ashamed, for they treated me wrongfully with falsehood; but I will meditate on Your precepts."  (Psalm 119:78)

The word translated, "proud," means, "arrogant, presumptuous."  The word for, "falsehood," can be translated, "deception, lie."  Might want to avoid such.

"The proud," are prone to, "falsehood," because their opinion of themselves cannot be sustained with truth.  It is always "higher" than the reality.  Never trust a proud person to treat you truthfully, accurately.  Only those in Jesus Christ and His Word can avoid treating people, "wrongfully with falsehood," because they are those who, "meditate on Your precepts."  Life's "theme" for the Follower of Jesus is His Word to us in John 15, "Abide in Me, and My words abide in you...."  This is the best protection against, "wrongfully with falsehood."

I am in Job at this time in the quarter, and always find the young man, Elihu, an interesting person.  

Youthful spirituality can be very arrogant, not to mention, presumptuous.  We know that at the end of the book of Job, God only deals with the "three friends;" He makes no mention of Elihu.   Elihu should have gotten the "message."  When God dealt with those who accused Job of sin, he was not even mentioned; he was ignored. What a "statement" to him.  The Word of God said to one of the friends, "Eliphaz the Temanite, 'My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.  Now therefore,'" well, demonstrate repentance.  If Elihu was paying attention, I trust he got in on the repentance. 

The so called "three friends" and the presumptuous young Elihu, spoke, "wrongfully with falsehood."  In short, they didn't know what they were talking about, even though as one reads the Book of Job, it seems as though the four say good things from time to time.  Apparently with God, if I mix "good stuff" with falsehood, a lie, the "good stuff" is cancelled.  Best be careful with our words, acting as though we always can have an answer for everyone.  This is quite different from being ready to, "give a reason for the hope that is in you."  The context of that famous passage is sobering and at the same time cautionary: "Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, WITH MEEKNESS AND FEAR...."

Trust only those whose words which come to us, "in Your precepts," and which we give only, "in Your precepts."  This is not going around always quoting chapter and verse, "Bible thumping," as some call it.  It is more a "spirit" of the Word of God reigning, written in our hearts and minds.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray for a life style of, "meekness and fear."  I want to only trust, "Your precepts."  Amen.

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Hebrews 12:2