Psalm 119:49-72 ~ is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces

Photo of the Sea of Galilee and Fishermen circa 1900. Very similar to the boat found dating to the time of Jesus. Jesus Boat Video. A drought, less work, then history is discovered, made and a rainbow filled with God's promises.

Psalm 119:49-72

49 Remember your word to your servant,

in which you have made me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise gives me life.
51 The insolent utterly deride me,
but I do not turn away from your law.
52 When I think of your rules from of old,
I take comfort, O Lord.
53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my sojourning.
55 I remember your name in the night, O Lord,
and keep your law.
56 This blessing has fallen to me,
that I have kept your precepts.

57 The Lord is my portion;
I promise to keep your words.
58 I entreat your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 When I think on my ways,
I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60 I hasten and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
I do not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to praise you,
because of your righteous rules.
63 I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
teach me your statutes!

65 You have dealt well with your servant,
O Lord, according to your word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
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.

Yesterday we talked about the peace of God.

1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints

Psalm 119 uses the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet in a very orderly fashion. Yet the Psalm has conflicting subjects: hope, affliction, life, law, wicked etc. The prayer has thanksgiving for blessings and also urgent need.

God has given us some advice for conflict:

Ephesians 4:11-16
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds [pastors] and teachers, [shepherd - teachers] 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, [full-grown man] to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

The chapter of Ephesians 4 is a good one to think about when life's wild winds kick up. Love is the greatest hope. Maturity becomes hope.

Remember Jesus' peace.

Mark 4:37-40
³⁷A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸ Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

³⁹ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

⁴⁰ He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

Jesus loved to teach in the Aramaic picture language, it fits together perfectly:
tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes

Not Jesus:
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!"

Philippians 4:6,7,23
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus.

²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

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