Psalm 119:114-115 CSB "You are my shelter and my shield; I put my hope in your word. [115] Depart from me, you evil ones, so that I may obey my God's commands."
The Psalmist says the Bible protects us from following hypocrites into God's judgment (119:113–120). The words "shelter" and "shield" both describe protection. We constantly witness double-minded people redefine words and terms to fit their desires and behavior (119:114). God protects those who take Him at His Word (believe the Bible is significant for all areas of life; 119:14). The Bible protects us from the deception of evil people, and God's Word also protects us from His judgment (119:113, 120).
To hope in the Bible means in difficult situations, we wait with the confident expectation that God will prove His Word accurate (119:114, 116). The adage "love the sinner, but hate the sin" applies. The psalmist says he hates the double-minded (119:113). Hypocrites cannot decide what is right and wrong because they do not love God's Word more than their evil desires. They seek truth only as far as it benefits their agenda. We have to take a stand even if we stand alone. It is hard, but somedays we have to say: "Depart from me, you evil ones, so that I may obey my God's commands."
We should awake singing, "I have decided to follow Jesus." Verse 120 says the Bible makes the hair stand up on our arms when we think of God's judgment. The Bible is a lamp to my feet and light to my path (119:105). We step in sync with Jesus daily and see the way leading us from destruction.
I have decided to follow Jesus (do as the Bible says).
Tho' none go with me, I still will follow,
The world behind me, the cross before me.
No turning back, no turning back, Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Lord Jesus, I pray as the psalmist:
"Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
Uphold me that I may be safe and continually regard Your statutes.
You have rejected all those who wander from Your statutes, For their deceitfulness is useless.
You have removed all the wicked of the earth like dross; Therefore, I love Your testimonies.
My flesh trembles for fear of You, And I am afraid of Your judgments" (Psalm 119:116–120 NASB95).
Gracious heavenly Father, God, You chose words to reveal Yourself and the truth of life to us. Jesus proved Your word alive and true. Jesus, Tho' none stand with me; I have decided to believe the Bible and follow wherever it leads me. In Jesus' name, amen.
Daily Devotion
You decide do words still matter.
Verse of the Day, August 3, 2022
Psalm 119:114-115 CSB "You are my shelter and my shield; I put my hope in your word. [115] Depart from me, you evil ones, so that I may obey my God's commands."
The Psalmist says the Bible protects us from following hypocrites into God's judgment (119:113–120). The words "shelter" and "shield" both describe protection. We constantly witness double-minded people redefine words and terms to fit their desires and behavior (119:114). God protects those who take Him at His Word (believe the Bible is significant for all areas of life; 119:14). The Bible protects us from the deception of evil people, and God's Word also protects us from His judgment (119:113, 120).
To hope in the Bible means in difficult situations, we wait with the confident expectation that God will prove His Word accurate (119:114, 116). The adage "love the sinner, but hate the sin" applies. The psalmist says he hates the double-minded (119:113). Hypocrites cannot decide what is right and wrong because they do not love God's Word more than their evil desires. They seek truth only as far as it benefits their agenda. We have to take a stand even if we stand alone. It is hard, but somedays we have to say: "Depart from me, you evil ones, so that I may obey my God's commands."
We should awake singing, "I have decided to follow Jesus." Verse 120 says the Bible makes the hair stand up on our arms when we think of God's judgment. The Bible is a lamp to my feet and light to my path (119:105). We step in sync with Jesus daily and see the way leading us from destruction.
I have decided to follow Jesus (do as the Bible says).
Tho' none go with me, I still will follow,
The world behind me, the cross before me.
No turning back, no turning back, Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Lord Jesus, I pray as the psalmist:
"Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
Uphold me that I may be safe and continually regard Your statutes.
You have rejected all those who wander from Your statutes, For their deceitfulness is useless.
You have removed all the wicked of the earth like dross; Therefore, I love Your testimonies.
My flesh trembles for fear of You, And I am afraid of Your judgments" (Psalm 119:116–120 NASB95).
Gracious heavenly Father, God, You chose words to reveal Yourself and the truth of life to us. Jesus proved Your word alive and true. Jesus, Tho' none stand with me; I have decided to believe the Bible and follow wherever it leads me. In Jesus' name, amen.