Craig Thomas

The ninth set of eight verses in Psalm 119 is labeled “YOD” (vv. 73-80). I would like to mine this section for two nuggets of wisdom we need to realize and apply to our lives each day. The first comes from verse 73:

“Your hands have made me and fashioned me;  
Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.”

We must realize God is our Maker; He is the grand “potter” who made us in His im age (Gen. 1:26-27). Isaiah the prophet said (Isa. 64:8):

“But now, O LORD,
You are our Father;
We are the clay, and You our potter;
And all we are the work of Your hand.”

As the potter has power over the clay, God is the ultimate Potter who alone possess es power over our lives (cf. Rom. 9:21). We, like the clay in this analogy, must yield under the Potter’s guiding hands. We do so as we submit to His Word (Jn. 14:15; 15:14). Let us not be obstinate, rebellious, and faithless. When the clay does not yield to the potter’s hand the potter destroys the lump of clay. Pharaoh, in the time of Moses, was such an unyielding lump of clay and bore the terrible consequences. Let us learn that lesson and yield under His guiding hands. If we will do so we will “be partakers of His holiness” and it will yield “the peaceable fruit of righteousness” in our lives (Heb. 12:10-11).

The second nugget comes from verse 75 and is related to the first:

“I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right,
And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.”

The Hebrew writer tells us (Heb. 12:6):

“For whom the LORD loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”

This chastening (i.e., discipline; NIV) most often comes in the form of trials and tribulations. Such discipline never “seems to be joyful for the present, but painful” (Heb. 12:11). However, it always affords us a grand opportunity to rely on the LORD for the strength we need to overcome it. That was a lesson the great apostle Paul had to learn and one we must learn as well (cf. 2 Cor. 12:7-10). Therefore, we should not look upon trials and tribulations as some great punishment or terrible burden. On the contrary, they are gifts from the LORD that allow us the opportunity to build up our spiritual strength, stamina (i.e., perseverance/endurance), faith, and hope (cf. Rom. 5:3-5). They provide us the opportunity for our faith to be refined and purified (cf. 1 Pet. 1:6-7). They turn us into “a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Tim. 2:21; KJV). When viewed from the positive angle, trials and tribulations no longer seem a burden. In fact, James says (Jas. 1:2-3):

“ 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”

In the seven letters to the churches of Asia (Rev. 2 & 3), John cites the wonderful rewards God holds in store for “him that overcomes” (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21). I recommend you review those passages and meditate on those grand rewards. When viewed from this perspective is it any wonder the apostle Paul said (2 Cor. 4:16-18):

“ 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

Surely we can face anything and everything Satan has to throw at us with the knowledge God will never forsake us (Heb. 13:5-6) and that we can cast all our cares on Him “for He cares you” (1 Pet. 5:7). If we do so, in the end we “shall inherit all things” and God promises to be our God and we shall be His son forever and ever (Rev. 21:7). Sounds to me like it’s worth it! How about you?

“ 76 Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort,
According to Your word to Your servant.
77 Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live;
For Your law is my delight.” (Psa. 119:76-77)