Matthew 11:16-24 ~ the Son of Man came eating and drinking

Capernaum, Israel. Photo from c. 1968. Peter's house & Capernaum Synagogue.

View from Peter's house:

Matthew 11:16-24 ~ (New International Version)

16 "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

17 " 'We played the flute for you,

and you did not dance;

we sang a dirge

and you did not mourn.'

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' But wisdom is proved right by her actions."

20 Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you."

Yesterday we read portions of the first chapter of the Gospel of John. Gospel – a report regarded as true and implicitly believed, of prime importance, glad tidings. When meeting people, Jesus knew them exactly to their soul and they responded. Nathanael believed at the first few words with Jesus, He is the Christ.

Matthew saw Jesus’ time on earth as a celebration; Jesus came eating and drinking. All the Gospels agree, most people saw Jesus as a friend, immediately. Remember Jesus never asked a disciple more than once - Jesus loved them.

Matthew 25:2

Well done, good and faithful servant

2 Timothy 2:15

present yourself to God as one approved

Capernaum was a city Jesus said would go down to the depths. Archaeology, also, goes down to the depths. Jesus lived in Capernaum, Matthew 4 records. What of Peter’s house; where Peter’s mother-in-law fixed Jesus dinner? It went from being the largest, most wealthy house in Capernaum, to becoming a house church. The walls were covered with graffiti, until the next Church was built at the site in the 5th century A.D. The graffiti was praise of Jesus, awe at being in the house where Jesus and Peter had fellowship. It is the only house in Capernaum where the plaster, on the walls, remains.

There is another archeological site that has the same graffiti, it is the tomb of Peter under the Vatican altar. Archaeology either dances at the evidence or it mourns, as all sites require faith – it is up to the eyes of faith to determine what we will believe.

I choose to see Jesus’ words and miracles are still revered and my soul - lifted up to the skies.

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

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2 Timothy 2:14-26 ~ in a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble.

Zechariah 4:6

 

2 Timothy 2:14-26

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14 Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

 20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

 22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Here we hit the crux of the matter. Us. ‘How are you?’ may be the most inane, hypocritical thing we say to each other, yet it’s what we say to ourselves daily.  When you look up the 100 most sought after bible verses one of the top 5 is:

Jeremiah 29:11

 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Look at this passage. Is the meaning of your life noble or not? Imagine you get to do like the man in “The Shack” was invited. To sit down with Jesus Christ, put your life before Him, ask Him about the meaning of Your life and say, “Do You like my life – my work – am I doing it the way You wanted?” 

Here is a little of what He might say to you….

Remember the basic essentials.  Don’t nitpick, which chips away at the faith. It just wears everyone out. Concentrate on doing your best for Father God, laying out the truth plain and simple. Present yourself as one approved of by the Lord Most High.  Stay clear of pious talk that is only talk. Words are not mere words, you know. Back it by a godly life.

God's firm foundation is as firm as ever. Abba knows who belongs to Him. Continue to spurn evil.

 Some days you are crystal goblets and silver platters, and other days you are wooden bowls, water basins and compost buckets— containers used to serve fine meals, others to clean . Become the kind of container God can use. Let your efforts help and strengthen others in their godly path. When you do God's will, the meaning of your life is noble, holy, useful to Abba, to do any good work.

Run away from infantile indulgence and drama. Run after righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. The Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, you must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose you, gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth . You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart and a turning to the truth, enabling them to escape the Devil's trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his will.

Love justice, love mercy, walk humbly with Me.

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Luke 11:47-54 ~ for you build

Jesus in the Temple

Luke 11:47-54

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47 Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed. 48 So you are witnesses and you consent to the deeds of your fathers, for they killed them, and you build their tombs. 49 Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute,’ 50 so that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation. 52 Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”

53 As he went away from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press him hard and to provoke him to speak about many things, 54 lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.

Right – wrong and life. It’s been going on for a long time. I confess, I like the Harry Potter series. But the point of view of a good writer, exploring right and wrong is an interesting thing.  Voldemort – the evil villain – said there is no right or wrong, only power and those too weak to pursue it.  It sums up evil. 

Of course most of us would fall into the category of selfishness – which can become purely evil with convenience leaning comfortably. Frenemies - friendship that sours or has always  hidden enmity - can fall into that category.  

Evil...

We ask each other why mosquitoes were created. As a joke. Recently I was asked, why do we have mosquitoes? I didn’t answer and the person asked me again.  They serve a purpose, they are food for the birds. Part of the plan. 

Why do we suffer? Well… it starts young.... you have siblings. They tell you you smell, you’re weird, adopted and depending on their vocabulary, that you are generally insufficient. 

Romans 8:28

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Like mosquitoes, it’s part of the Plan. God weaving in the good.  We learn to forgive, to dismiss others' opinions and not to look so “deer in the head-lights”. 

6^th Grade comes along and you are confronted with frenemies. Do you know there was a large study and the conclusion was frenemies are good for you? Robust health, according the Psychologist running the study, is learning to hate your haters.  Oh my…. oh my.

If you look at Luke 11:47-54, you realize something. We are going to play a part. Yes. It is the Good Friday Service. We all must say crucify Him. It is a really depressing thing.  And if we want to or not, we do Crucify Him.

But we all must come away from this as Easter people. Where will we choose to be next time? Jesus chose to speak to Nicodemus when he wanted to learn, even if it was at night. Jesus chose to cry out for mercy over sacrifice at great cost to Himself, every day.  Jesus confronted His frenemies. He didn’t seek them out, but His mercy was available when they called upon Him.  

So, like mosquitoes, the people who affect our lives with misery or pain are part of the Plan. You are to live your lives as Lights of God. 

What does God tell us with the Frenemies and the evil? God is encouraging us to walk the path of life. Forgiving. Jesus ate with people who were sinners. Jesus forgave the people who didn’t even ask for His forgiveness.

Matthew 10:16-23

 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Colossians 3:13

bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

1 Timothy 2:5-6

 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

Romans 12:18

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

1 Thessalonians 5:13b-18

Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

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Matthew 6:25-34 ~ your heavenly Father knows that you need

Matthew 6:25-34

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25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

In one of Herman Wouk’s books, about Israel’s 6 Day War, the book’s hero is captivated by the size of the Mississippi River. He cannot get over the Jordan River is so known throughout the world for the holiness of being in Israel, but the Mississippi River has such force behind it. The sheer size of a cross continent flight in America is overwhelming to him. It created an awareness in me of God’s plan being so much larger than any of our plans. Another book, Lantern on the Levy, by William Percy sort of combines that thought. William Percy tells about the force of the Mississippi exceeding its boundaries & the lack of communication endless force creates. It created an analogy, for me, I think about & speak about a lot.

Life is a lot like being in the Mississippi River, we are pushed by tremendous forces we cannot see or control. We have eddies and resting places, we convince ourselves that now we in control. We have life in our own boundaries. But the people we love - move, they age, they change - we change. The things, the places, the people we love are not within our grasp, our vision… forever. It isn’t all sadness! There is more to come.

Prayer is the coin paid to Gratitude. ~Jessi Lane Adams

Our prayers should be for blessings in general, for God knows best what is good for us. ~Socrates

Be thankful that God's answers are wiser than your answers. ~William Culbertson

Prayer is exhaling the spirit of man and inhaling the spirit of God. ~Edwin Keith

When a man is at his wits' end it is not a cowardly thing to pray, it is the only way he can get in touch with Reality. ~Oswald Chambers

As long as there are tests, there will be prayer in schools.

It is good for us to keep some account of our prayers, that we may not unsay them in our practice. ~Matthew Henry

Deep down in me I knowed it was a lie, and He knowed it. You can't pray a lie - I found that out. ~Mark Twain

And help us, this and every day, to live more nearly as we pray. ~John Keble

It is of course possible to dance a prayer. ~Terri Guillemets

God can pick sense out of a confused prayer. ~Richard Sibbes

What we usually pray to God is not that His will be done, but that He approves ours.

~Helga Bergold Gross

Philippians 4:6-8 ~ (English Standard Version)

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

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John 4:1-30 ~ So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people

John 4:1-30

Max McLean Audio Bible, English Standard Version

1 Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), 3 he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. 4 And he had to pass through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour [noon].

7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again [forever]. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

27 Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” 28 So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” 30 They went out of the town and were coming to him.

Jesus once said that you could tell about people by their actions.

Matthew 7:16

You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?

John 1:4

4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

When Jesus met the woman at the well, He met her at noon, well past the time most of the village of Sychar would have already been to the well. She was avoiding the people. By the end of the conversation, the woman was going to the town’s people to tell them the Christ was here. She was not ignored, the people hurried to see Him.

Mark 2:21-22

No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. 22 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.”

What did Jesus see in her, before her actions?

Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when… the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

Father God, may our souls be the ones You see at Your well. You are the Living Water. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Galatians 4:21-5:1 ~ children of promise

Galatians 4:21-5:1   ~   (New International Version)

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 ²¹ Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says?  For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. ²³ His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise.

 ²⁴ These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. ²⁵ Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. ²⁶ But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. ²⁷ For it is written:
   "Be glad, O barren woman,
      who bears no children;
   break forth and cry aloud,
      you who have no labor pains;
   because more are the children of the desolate woman
      than of her who has a husband." 

 ²⁸ Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. ²⁹ At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. ³⁰   But what does the Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son." ³¹ Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

Galatians 5

 ¹ It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Paul stood in the crossroads of time and used an analogy of the Old Covenant to the New Covenant.  When we believe our Scriptures, the family of Abraham set in motion the problems similar to divorce, re-marriage (Abraham is recorded as marrying after Sarah’s death), favoritism, limits of life, poverty, power, legitimacy, holiness and envy carried into generations. 

Consider how so many feel about the Mountain of the Temple.

Why? Why did this happen? 

We are supposed to follow the Lord when life is too complex and the choices are too few or too many. My son recently said his religion professor said her favorite chapter in the Bible is Judges 19 – the man treats his concubine terribly and she is killed by the tribe of Benjamin. My son asked me why this terrible passage in the Bible occurs.  Just what you want to be asked out of the blue. But the Lord gave me a good answer for my child, my college student. I said it is like finding out your dad raped a 12 year old. It is like finding out your child tortured and killed a small animal, you are supposed to put aside the consequences of your pain and do the right thing for the Lord. 

Abraham had good intentions to create for himself a son, but he divided his inheritance. And God told Abraham not to share. God was begged to bless Ishmael.  And out of the havoc created by one man, God plan still worked. Not without some feeling as seeds cast among thorns. 

It was a mess.

How was man to continue? The children of Ishmael and the children of Noah, cast aside.  Once God gave us His Son, we were to look to the Son of God to know we are all adopted into the Family of God. No matter if the generations and the situations of life cast you into slavery of sin. You are worthy in the Holy Spirit. 

You are not a child under law, you are blessed to be a child of the Holy Spirit.  You are chosen, special, loved.  Because you are a child of God, you rise above the circumstances of your family sin.  Like Paul, you find your joy instead of any other emotion. You rise above our personal limitations and sin. When you are a child of the new covenant, the story of Abraham, Isaac, and all the saints is your story.  You are a child of Promise, you are a child of the Most High God. 

Luke 12:32

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

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Psalm 119:73-176 ~ I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.

Psalm 119:73-176 

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Yodh

73 Your hands have made and fashioned me;

give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,

because I have hoped in your word.

75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,

and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

76 Let your steadfast love comfort me

according to your promise to your servant.

77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;

for your law is my delight.

78 Let the insolent be put to shame,

because they have wronged me with falsehood;

as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.

79 Let those who fear you turn to me,

that they may know your testimonies.

80 May my heart be blameless in your statutes,

that I may not be put to shame!

Kaph

81 My soul longs for your salvation;

I hope in your word.

82 My eyes long for your promise;

I ask, “When will you comfort me?”

83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,

yet I have not forgotten your statutes.

84 How long must your servant endure?

 [How many are the days of your servant?]

When will you judge those who persecute me?

85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;

they do not live according to your law.

86 All your commandments are sure;

they persecute me with falsehood; help me!

87 They have almost made an end of me on earth,

but I have not forsaken your precepts.

88 In your steadfast love give me life,

that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

Lamedh

89 Forever, O Lord, your word

is firmly fixed in the heavens.

90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;

you have established the earth, and it stands fast.

91 By your appointment they stand this day,

for all things are your servants.

92 If your law had not been my delight,

I would have perished in my affliction.

93 I will never forget your precepts,

for by them you have given me life.

94 I am yours; save me,

for I have sought your precepts.

95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,

but I consider your testimonies.

96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,

but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

Mem

97 Oh how I love your law!

It is my meditation all the day.

98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,

for it is ever with me.

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,

for your testimonies are my meditation.

100 I understand more than the aged, [the elders]

for I keep your precepts.

101 I hold back my feet from every evil way,

in order to keep your word.

102 I do not turn aside from your rules,

for you have taught me.

103 How sweet are your words to my taste,

sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 Through your precepts I get understanding;

therefore I hate every false way.

Nun

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.

106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,

to keep your righteous rules.

107 I am severely afflicted;

give me life, O Lord, according to your word!

108 Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,

and teach me your rules.

109 I hold my life in my hand continually,

but I do not forget your law.

110 The wicked have laid a snare for me,

but I do not stray from your precepts.

111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever,

for they are the joy of my heart.

112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes

forever, to the end.

[statutes; the reward is eternal]

Samekh

113 I hate the double-minded,

but I love your law.

114 You are my hiding place and my shield;

I hope in your word.

115 Depart from me, you evildoers,

that I may keep the commandments of my God.

116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,

and let me not be put to shame in my hope!

117 Hold me up, that I may be safe

and have regard for your statutes continually!

118 You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,

for their cunning is in vain.

119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,

therefore I love your testimonies.

120 My flesh trembles for fear of you,

and I am afraid of your judgments.

Ayin

121 I have done what is just and right;

do not leave me to my oppressors.

122 Give your servant a pledge of good;

let not the insolent oppress me.

123 My eyes long for your salvation

and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.

124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,

and teach me your statutes.

125 I am your servant; give me understanding,

that I may know your testimonies!

126 It is time for the Lord to act,

for your law has been broken.

127 Therefore I love your commandments

above gold, above fine gold.

128 Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;

I hate every false way.

Pe

129 Your testimonies are wonderful;

therefore my soul keeps them.

130 The unfolding of your words gives light;

it imparts understanding to the simple.

131 I open my mouth and pant,

because I long for your commandments.

132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,

as is your way with those who love your name.

133 Keep steady my steps according to your promise,

and let no iniquity get dominion over me.

134 Redeem me from man's oppression,

that I may keep your precepts.

135 Make your face shine upon your servant,

and teach me your statutes.

136 My eyes shed streams of tears,

because people do not keep your law.

Tsadhe

137 Righteous are you, O Lord,

and right are your rules.

138 You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness

and in all faithfulness.

139 My zeal consumes me,

because my foes forget your words.

140 Your promise is well tried,

and your servant loves it.

141 I am small and despised,

yet I do not forget your precepts.

142 Your righteousness is righteous forever,

and your law is true.

143 Trouble and anguish have found me out,

but your commandments are my delight.

144 Your testimonies are righteous forever;

give me understanding that I may live.

Qoph

145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!

I will keep your statutes.

146 I call to you; save me,

that I may observe your testimonies.

147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;

I hope in your words.

148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,

that I may meditate on your promise.

149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;

O Lord, according to your justice give me life.

150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;

they are far from your law.

151 But you are near, O Lord,

and all your commandments are true.

152 Long have I known from your testimonies

that you have founded them forever.

Resh

153 Look on my affliction and deliver me,

for I do not forget your law.

154 Plead my cause and redeem me;

give me life according to your promise!

155 Salvation is far from the wicked,

for they do not seek your statutes.

156 Great is your mercy, O Lord;

give me life according to your rules.

157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,

but I do not swerve from your testimonies.

158 I look at the faithless with disgust,

because they do not keep your commands.

159 Consider how I love your precepts!

Give me life according to your steadfast love.

160 The sum of your word is truth,

and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

Sin and Shin

161 Princes persecute me without cause,

but my heart stands in awe of your words.

162 I rejoice at your word

like one who finds great spoil.

163 I hate and abhor falsehood,

but I love your law.

164 Seven times a day I praise you

for your righteous rules.

165 Great peace have those who love your law;

nothing can make them stumble.

166 I hope for your salvation, O Lord,

and I do your commandments.

167 My soul keeps your testimonies;

I love them exceedingly.

168 I keep your precepts and testimonies,

for all my ways are before you.

Taw

169 Let my cry come before you, O Lord;

give me understanding according to your word!

170 Let my plea come before you;

deliver me according to your word.

171 My lips will pour forth praise,

for you teach me your statutes.

172 My tongue will sing of your word,

for all your commandments are right.

173 Let your hand be ready to help me,

for I have chosen your precepts.

174 I long for your salvation, O Lord,

and your law is my delight.

175 Let my soul live and praise you,

and let your rules help me.

176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,

for I do not forget your commandments.

Each of the 22 sections of Psalm 119 has a letter as the title, a song to sing as they approached the Temple stairs or progressed towards the Tent of God. Several sections seems to say the Psalmist is convinced of self-righteousness and God would do well to bless the Psalmist’s supplication.  This is really meant as corporate worship. The Psalm ends with a sympathetic prayer, even if the commandments are all followed, there is a gap between spiritual worthiness and love.  Far better than the cries of righteousness, knowing God loves us and will come to find us in our times of need.

It would be presumptuous of just one individual to express worthiness. This is one of the prayers of the entire Community, the Temple of the Lord.  When Paul thought about worthiness, he wrote he knew he was a sinner. We know we sin, and sometimes it is the actions and thoughts of self-centeredness, innate in our characters from birth.

This Psalm isn't just the petition of the worthy, but in placing our prayers together, we are the community Jesus told his disciples that some prayer petitions require prayer and fasting. This is the strength of community prayer.

Jesus would agree prayer is not repetition.  He asked us to offer praise to God. Not acknowledge our holiness, but His.  The Lord’s will and wisdom first. To ask God to supply our concerns. To give mercy, as well as rely upon God’s mercy. For the Lord to protect us from evil and temptation. To live for the glory of God. And the Shepherd, who is good, will find us. 

Pray, and let God worry 

- Martin Luther

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