Oh That My Ways May Be Established

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Oh That My Ways May Be Established

Good is good — bad is bad.      We know the difference.      It is written  in our hearts,  in our conscience.      When we do what is good and loving,  we have a positive affirmation  and joy  in our hearts  that that  was the right thing  to do  in that circumstance.

But,  if we purposely  do what is evil,  we also know that  in our hearts.           We are not happy.      Instead,  there is a defiant feeling  of rebellion  and a stubbornness  that wants to take pleasure  in evil.      The stubborn intent  to do what is bad  does not make us feel good — it just makes one feel  that they have  at least temporary power  over someone else,  or even over God Almighty.      The sort of freedom  that they think they are struggling for  is nothing but  a tighter chain  to their slavery to evil.      It is frustrating,  and an endless feeling  of anger.

There is a great and awesome blessedness  in realizing  all the goodness  of God’s ways  in our lives.      Acknowledging the LORD  as our Creator,  Redeemer,  and Judge  gives us the freedom  to live  in the love and goodness  of God’s desire  for His creation.      That is why  the psalmist writes  in Psalm 119:1-6,

How blessed are those  whose way  is blameless,
Who walk  in the law  of the LORD.
How blessed  are those  who observe  His testimonies,
Who seek Him  with all their heart.
They also  do no unrighteousness;
They walk  in His ways.
Thou hast ordained  Thy precepts,
That  we should  keep them diligently.
Oh  that my ways  may be established
To keep  Thy statutes!
Then  I shall not  be ashamed
When I look upon  all Thy commandments.

The conscience  God has given us  shows the difference  between good and bad.      It is called  the “law of the LORD”,  but really,  it is the road to freedom  in all love and goodness.      That’s why  all those  who “walk in His ways”  are so blessed.      They are desiring  to imitate  the love God has given us  in Christ Jesus.      They may not be rich,  famous,  or powerful — but they have  that great and joyful assurance  that all of God’s ways  really are  good and right — and that,  come Judgment Day,  they will have  nothing to be ashamed of,  because  they have lived  for their Redeemer  in faith,  hope,  and love.

Through faith  in Christ,  we can all  be forgiven our past  and begin walking  “in His ways“.      Jesus alone  can make our way  “blameless“ — and He alone  can make our ways “established“  to keep His statutes.      All we need to do  is go to Him  in prayer,  get grounded  in His word to us,  and believe  in the love  He has given us.

As we seek the LORD  with our whole hearts,  we say,  “Hallelujah!      Lord,  Your ways  are so beautifully wondrous  and good.      It is a marvelous blessing  to live  in Your love.”

Love,
Margaret

 

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

at 123hallelujah.wordpress.com

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for past devotional posts.

 

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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