Psalm 119:113-120
This is an interesting set of verses, for the psalmist is pointing out the various pitfalls that await us when we get outside of God’s will. He also makes very clear his displeasure—even hatred—for those with divided loyalties. Divided loyalties never serve God well. Neither hot nor cold, Jesus says these people are like lukewarm water that is spit out of the mouth.
The psalmist also makes clear the steps he is taking to ensure he does not fall from God’s grace. He removes evil-minded people from his life echoing Paul’s words to the Corinthians:
“Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all.”
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.15.33-34.NLT
We must make a concentrated effort to follow God, lest we be swept away by the current of the world. That means, at times, we will have to make unpopular decisions. Yet is the words of Paul again:
“For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money! As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else.”
1 Thessalonians 2:4-6 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1th.2.4-6.NLT
Our purpose is to please God. That requires us to make tough choices. But are they really tough when we consider the consequences? In the words of the psalmist:
“You have rejected all who stray from your decrees. They are only fooling themselves. You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum; no wonder I obey your laws!”
No wonder we obey His laws! As Paul reminds us in Galatians:
“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.”
Galatians 6:7-8 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/gal.6.7-8.NLT
It is really not a difficult choice once we know what our options are. I believe God, and I believe His Word. Once the matter is settled in our hearts, it is simply a matter of walking it out by faith.
The psalmist also makes clear the steps he is taking to ensure he does not fall from God’s grace. He removes evil-minded people from his life echoing Paul’s words to the Corinthians:
“Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all.”
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1co.15.33-34.NLT
We must make a concentrated effort to follow God, lest we be swept away by the current of the world. That means, at times, we will have to make unpopular decisions. Yet is the words of Paul again:
“For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. Never once did we try to win you with flattery, as you well know. And God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money! As for human praise, we have never sought it from you or anyone else.”
1 Thessalonians 2:4-6 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1th.2.4-6.NLT
Our purpose is to please God. That requires us to make tough choices. But are they really tough when we consider the consequences? In the words of the psalmist:
“You have rejected all who stray from your decrees. They are only fooling themselves. You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum; no wonder I obey your laws!”
No wonder we obey His laws! As Paul reminds us in Galatians:
“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.”
Galatians 6:7-8 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/gal.6.7-8.NLT
It is really not a difficult choice once we know what our options are. I believe God, and I believe His Word. Once the matter is settled in our hearts, it is simply a matter of walking it out by faith.
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