Devotion 6.2.26

Psalm 119:67 - 72

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,

  but now I keep your word.

68 You are good and do good;

  teach me your statutes.

69 The insolent smear me with lies,

  but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;

70 their heart is unfeeling like fat,

  but I delight in your law.

71 It is good for me that I was afflicted,

  that I might learn your statutes.

72 The law of your mouth is better to me

  than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Our psalmist is thankful for his affliction that turns him to God's Word.

In looking at the calendar for the church year, we are about to enter the longest season, the "Sundays after Pentecost," interrupted by Reformation Sunday and Thanksgiving. The season includes summer and fall, vacation, start of a new school year, and harvest. A lot can happen in that span of time. The season essentially takes us from now to the end of the church year to the beginning of a new church year marked by Advent.

For our family, a new life will come into this world scheduled for some time in September. That means baby showers, tests on momma and baby to check growth and health, and gender (revealed a few weeks ago - a girl!). A lot can happen in the seasons of life as well.

Our psalmist doesn't tell us where he is on his journey, but he's been afflicted. Having been afflicted several times in life with events that impacted me from one varying degree to another, I understand the weight of affliction. I understand I have a choice in affliction: self-absorption/woe is me/why did God bring this on? Or continue with life, learn to deal with it, turn to God for help in this time of affliction because in truth, it is all temporary. Yes, some are harder to hear than others, loss of a loved one v a broken arm, but all is temporary.

We know our days are numbered and finite, so when affliction comes in this sin-filled world, why do we either act surprised or turn bitter toward God and friends and family? Paul says it this way: "11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. "12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Philippians 4

Paul says he "has learned," meaning the gift of faith has learning aspects to it. Our faith doesn't teach us every response to every joy or malady we face. God's Word instructs us. The psalmist wants to know God's Word better as a result of his affliction. Paul, who has humbled himself in life, has learned to be content regardless of station.

Pray with me: Gracious God, Help me on my journey to find contentment. Help me to find this by turning to you through prayer, through being in your Word, and through learning your Word. Send your Spirit to me to open my heart to not dull, but to find joy in you and your Word. In Christ's name, Amen.

Hope Men's Ministry is a ministry in service to Hope Lutheran Church and School. Our purpose is to grow, unite, and share God's Word to all men through meaningful activities. These activities center on fellowship, service, conversation, prayer, study and devotion as we seek to become men of God as He created us to be.