Psalm 119:67
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. Psalm 119:67
This verse is my salvation cry, even though at the time of my salvation I was too ignorant to understand it. I was ignorant, prideful, and foolish. At the time, I just wanted God to fix my felt needs and take away my hurt. He eventually did that but not right away. And He had a much bigger redemptive story He was writing for my life that I could not have even understood or appreciated as good at the time.
“Before I was afflicted…” As an unbeliever, I was filled with arrogance and self-will run rampant. It was thirty years ago that I went through a divorce. My family was no longer intact. “I was afflicted…”
“…I went astray…” Prior to my divorce, out of my fantasy of what reality was, I would lock in on an expected outcome and use control and manipulation to angerly march towards the outcome I demanded. I was making everyone close to me miserable with my unloving, inconsiderate, unkind behavior.
“…but now I keep your word.” But God… From the depths of my affliction, God reached down and pulled me out of the muck and mire. He placed my feet on the rock of His salvation, cleaned me up, and breathed new life into me. I was a different person.
I did not always learn quickly but God is a faithful teacher. He was persistent and patient with me. He was faithful to teach me His Word and He guided me along His path for my sanctification. He changed me, is changing me and promises to continue to change me, conforming me into the image of His Son.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, -- Ephesians 2:4-6 ESV
When I think about all that God as done in my life over the last 30 years, I stand amazed. Another verse that sums this up for me is found later in Psalm 119 (verse 92). These truths are a balm to my soul. When I am dry and tired, when I am discouraged and down. These verses bring life back to my soul. They are refreshing because they are truth. They were written for me in centuries past so that I would know the love of God in my life, with certainty.
If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. – Psalm 119:92 ESV
As a child of God, our Father wants us to cry out to Him. If you need answers but do not know where to turn, consider calling the Burke Care team today. We are here to start the journey alongside you.
Father, thank You that You chose to save a sinner like me. All praise and glory are Yours. You are the one true God, maker of heaven and earth. Amen.
Application Questions:
What crisis in my life is drawing me away from my plan and back towards God’s plan for my life?
What pride, ignorance, or foolishness living in my flesh still needs to be dealt with by God?
When is it that I most need God’s truth of what He has for me?
Schedule Care Today | Info@burkecare.org | 512.522.2580 | Subscribe
