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Lowell Brueckner

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November 9 - 15 Daily Meditations in the Psalms

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November 9

Psalms 119  


                                        Aleph


1.  Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

2.  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

3.  They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

4.  Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

5.  O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

6.  Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

7.  I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

8.  I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

 

     The length of this Psalm has kept the less diligent from some of the most precious treasures in the storehouse of God’s word. The Holy Spirit is behind such tactics, in order to ward off those who seek with less than their whole heart. Do not hurry through this Psalm. Meditate upon it. It contains some of the most quoted and well-known promises. The Psalm has been kindly broken into sections alphabetically, so as not to be overtaxing. Take them one at a time and be enriched. They concern the law of the Lord, the full counsel of God and the worth of the statutes and testimonies, which the Lord has placed at our disposal. Learn appreciation and go on to love the word of God.

     So much of the Psalms concerns walking along a certain way - the Lord’s way. It runs opposite to man’s way and demands a separation from his, in order to give oneself entirely to keeping God’s. There is no place for halfway-ism in the scripture. This Psalm is for the undivided heart, which seeks to be undefiled, is diligent, and has a heart-cry, “O that my ways were directed to keep Thy statutes”. Come into the classroom of the Holy Spirit. There is a way of walking that is undefiled and there is a way of ministering praise from an upright heart. There are commandments, to which we pay little attention. Learn respect for all of them. Change your ways to His ways. Make a commitment of the will and then beg God not to abandon you in your quest.

 

 

November 10

Psalms 119      


                                                 Beth


9.  Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

10.  With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

11.  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

12.  Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

13.  With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

14.  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

15.  I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

16.  I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

 

     Consider the young man as a person full of the passions of life, clothed with strength and self-confidence. Then, think of him as a beginner in the new life of Christ. He must be cleansed from his way. As the fishermen of Galilee, he must stop and listen to the voice coming from the shore. Is He telling him to fish in the daytime? Is He saying, “Launch into the deep”? Then, he must obey and follow Him, for from henceforth he will catch men. He must enroll in Christ’s school of practical training, begin wholeheartedly and continue on track. He must hide what he has learned in the heart, as Mary did. It will have future purpose and prevent his downfall. This is the way of true riches, more to be desired than much fine gold. He becomes a spiritual gold miner. Pursue it, young man, more than a career or personal goals. Look to God for the best.

 

 

November 11

Psalms 119    


                                    Gimel


17.  Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.

18.  Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

19.  I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

20.  My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

21.  Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.

22.  Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.

23.  Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

24. Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.

 

     There is nothing natural or self-attained in spiritual learning. The learning faculties themselves are an endowment to be sought from the Lord. “Deal bountifully”, the Psalmist begs and James adds, “If any man lack wisdom let Him ask of God, who giveth liberally.” Start here, rather than at the nearest library or the next seminar. There is absolutely no other way to behold wondrous things out of God’s law, without Him opening our eyes. Notice carefully the next essential condition: “I am a stranger in the earth.” No friend of the world can be a friend of God. Jesus said, “I call you friends for all the Father has shown me, I have made known to you.” How vain it is to try to learn the ways of God in the schools of men! In God’s student, longing and consistency overrule the contempt and reproach of the world’s princes. Take time to meditate, but only within the confines of the word of God. Keep the open book before you. “In the multitude of counselors there is safety,” says the Proverb. God has prepared a multitude of counselors for our learning in this school. Learn from Professor Moses, Samuel, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, John, Paul, Peter and many more. What a delight! They will do more for you than the “trained experts” of our day.

 

                                       Daleth


25.  My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.

26.  I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.

27.  Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

28.  My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

29.  Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.

30.  I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.

31.  I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.

32.  I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

 

     Our soul has a tendency to cling to the ways of death, especially when it is ruled by the desires of the flesh. The word of God brings our spirit to life. Be honest, for the school of Christ demands total honesty and a love for truth. Honesty about our condition opens the ears of God. Chose the way of truth and He will begin to teach. We are heavy with earth’s gravity and only His grace can free us. The heart that runs in the way of His commandments will lift the soul that cleaves to the dust. Are you running or are you stuck?

 

 

November 12

Psalms 119    


                                          He


33.  Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.

34.  Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

35.  Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

36.  Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

37.  Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

38.  Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.

39.  Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.

40. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

 

     God accomplishes true progress in the spirit and it comes to pass through prayer. Notice the expression the Psalmist’s uses in his petitions: “Teach me .. Give me understanding ..Make me to go ...Incline my heart ...Turn away mine eyes ....Stablish Thy word ...Turn away my reproach ... Quicken me.” Nothing will come without prayer, but after he has prayed, he states, “I shall keep ...I shall observe ...I delight.” Notice in verse 36 that a heart inclined to God’s word is the opposite of a covetous heart. The person, who sees the word of God as a means to gain his end, needs to go to prayer to get his heart turned in the right direction, die to his vanity and live for God. It is dangerous to try to learn the ways of God without fearful prayer. An unsanctified search will end in perversion of scripture.

 

                                           Vau


41.  Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

42.  So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

43.  And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.

44.  So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.

45.  And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

46.  I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

47.  And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.

48.  My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

 

     Mercy is subject to the word of God. Nothing good comes from God, even mercy or salvation, except in accordance with His word. He will not compromise it. Begin by trusting in the word and from it will proceed the answers for this time and forever. The word locks you into eternity and it will overrule the nagging questions of the natural mind. It sets us free to walk and delight in His commandments. Beg God for the abiding authority of His word upon your lips. When we are dealing with forever and ever, we had better do so in the fear of God with utmost care in prayer.

 

 

 

November 13

Psalms 119    


Zain

49.  Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

50.  This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

51.  The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.

52.  I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.

53.  Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

54.  Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

55.  I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.

56. This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

 

     Hope and comfort come from the word of God. The Lord works through it to cause and to quicken. It is not a bare word, but depends upon the presence and direct influence of the Author. The critics’ fiery arrows are quenched and comfort comes when we remember that the old ways of the Lord still hold today. There is something else that comes as a result of loving God’s way: “Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked.” For “horror” the Amplified Bible interjects, “Burning indignation, terror and sadness”. Such a reaction to the evil of our generation will seize us, when the word of God becomes real and alive. We are uncomfortable with our surroundings, foreigners and squatters on this earth. An earnest seeking after the precepts of God works its rewards into the depths of our spirit. It gives songs to the travel-weary. We sing the songs of pilgrims, which the earth-bound cannot sing. It is a pleasant satisfaction, when we find these unearthly attributes springing from our heart.

 


 

November 14

Psalms 119    


                                         Cheth


57.  Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.

58.  I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

59.  I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

60.  I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

61.  The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.

62.  At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

63.  I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.

64.  The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.

 

     The motivation behind attending to and observing the scriptures is a heart desire to commune with the Author. In Him, we find all that is worthwhile. He is the source of all beauty, strength, wisdom, goodness, and glory, a portion that defies description. He is worth the price of pain that might come from leaving our familiar ways behind, in order to turn to His testimonies. He makes our affliction light and brightens our midnights. We need to preach this highly desirable portion and cause people to compare it to the way, in which they have been walking.

 

                                       Teth


65.  Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.

66.  Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

67.  Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

68.  Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.

69.  The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.

70.  Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.

71.  It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

72. The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

 

     Whatever has been done in our lives that has led us to faithful observance of the word of the Lord is His good doing. He desires to do us good. Verses 67 and 68 should settle that in our hearts.  He does us good, when He chastens us. Many people lack this good judgment. Undisciplined hearts, saturated with well-being and bent on self-satisfaction, are the forgers of lies against God’s afflicted ones. “It is good for me that I have been afflicted,” the Psalmist says, for it is better than gold and silver. May God keep us lean and hungry for Him.

 

 

November 15

Psalms 119

Jod

73.  Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

74.  They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.

75.  I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

76.  Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.

77.  Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

78.  Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.

79.  Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.

80.  Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.

 

     He who created us, knows the way to our understanding. It comes through divine revelation and prayer. True fellowship can only come through spirits, who likewise have been taught of God. Our hearts are joined to them that fear Him and enjoy mutual sharing of the experiences of God’s dealings in our lives. Visits fall flat with those, who are on another wavelength. They cannot comprehend the faithful afflictions of the Lord and His right judgments. Those that fear know that comfort does not come from our circumstances, but from His kindness and tender mercies. Spiritual soundness comes in humble submission and delight in the word of God, while the proudly independent come to scandalous falls. When we are on our face before God, there is nowhere to fall.

 

                                       Caph


81.  My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.

82.  Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?

83.  For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.

84.  How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?

85.  The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.

86.  All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.

87.  They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.

88.  Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.

 

     Joseph, Job, David, Daniel, and the other prophets, knew what it was to hang like a wineskin in the smoke, blackened and shriveled. The analogy certainly does not depict pleasantries and comforts. These experiences were part and parcel of the life of Paul and he best defines for us their meaning and purpose: He was “delivered to death that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our bodies.” Something deeper than our own souls supports us.  “The soul faints,” says the Psalmist, “but I hope. My eyes fail and I yearn for comfort, but I do not forget Thy statutes. I was almost consumed, but I forsook not Thy precepts.” Affliction, hanging on for dear life to the word, and desperate prayer are companions and building blocks of Christian character.


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