Give Me Understanding

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Give Me Understanding

When we are able  to grasp  the full implications  of something,  our understanding  of the situation is likely to change our reactions,  thinking,  attitude,  and energy  in responding.     And, wouldn’t you know,  the  writer of Psalm 119 knew that many centuries ago.     That is why he sang  in Psalm 119:34,

Give me understanding,  that I may observe  Thy law,    
And keep it  with all my heart.

It’s so easy  to just fall in line  with what the people around us are doing — right  or  wrong.     We don’t want  to make a scene  or be too  “different”  from everyone else.     We just try  to be like others  so we can be accepted.     But then,  we are not really understanding  the full implications  of our actions.

But, when we understand  how grossly wrong  and downright evil  those ways  of the world are,  then  we can see  why  such conduct  can make us  into an enemy  of God Almighty, our Creator  and Savior.

Comprehending the utter goodness,  holiness,  and beauty of God  and all of His ways  causes us  to really want  to be strong and wise enough  to emulate such goodness.     That goodness is a marvelous blessing  because  it is all the essence  of God’s eternal love for us.     The goodness of God’s ways  (His laws)  are what led Him  to send Jesus  to be our Savior from sin.

We do something similar  to God’s way  of doing things.     When we clean out our refrigerator,  we keep what is good and throw out what is bad.     It all makes sense,  if we want a nice place  to store our food  and keep it fresh.     It’s like God does the same  when He keeps heaven clean  for us.     He throws out what is evil,  and keeps what is good.

But,  we’re not talking good works.

The good is what understands  that having faith  in the sacrifice  of Jesus Christ  is what gives us the gift of eternal life.     Faith in Jesus  will enable us  to grasp the mercy  of God and how we are given the gift  of Jesus’ righteousness  to preserve us eternally  in heaven.

Some  who lack an understanding  of the gift  of God’s love and mercy  in Jesus Christ are shown  to be evil because they reject the forgiveness  God wants  to give us  through Jesus  and arrogantly claim  they can do enough good works  to earn heaven  all by themselves.     Others lacking understanding  simply hate what is good  and do not want  to have God  in authority over them.     Of course,  they don’t really have any say  in the matter,  but want to rebel anyway.

We need  to pray for understanding,  so that we may comprehend God’s way  of forgiving us  in Christ Jesus,  and live lives that respond  in loving service  with all our hearts.     Then  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord Jesus,  only Your righteousness truly makes me clean  in Your sight.     Help me  to understand that  and trust in Your wisdom  for salvation.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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