Life of Devotion

Psa 119:3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

We are known by what we do and do not do. Our actions speak louder than words. The word iniquity means moral impurity and acts of mischief. Iniquity has no place in the life of one who believes in God. In fact, if we walk in His ways, iniquity will not be in us.

Prohibitions are generally considered to be negative. Thou shalt not, is considered a negative phrase. Can anything that is good for you actually be considered negative? If it is for the good of not only a few, but everyone, wouldn't it actually be positive? Seven of the Ten Commandments start with the phrase, "Thou shalt not." While many may consider it to be a negative phrase, those who believe in God and walk in His ways know it to be positive. It reinforces the believer. It gives guidance and understanding also to the believer.

The follower of God does not put others before God, lie, commit adultery, desire his neighbor's wife or husband, steal or murder. In the teachings of Jesus, there is a definite contrast of morals and ethics between the believer and the sinner.


Mishaps in Life

It is possible to be successful in life, and lose all success by acts of iniquity. Many have fallen because of their own iniquity and it is a waste of talent. God gives the talent and many will use it to gain riches only to lose it by their own immoral acts. They refuse to deal with their iniquity according to the Word of God.

Just because you are saved and walk in His ways doesn't mean you won't have slip-ups. I have had many of them myself. Some were pretty bad ones in fact. When this happens one must repent before God and allow God to forgive. Have you made some mistakes lately? Have you repented over them? If not, there is no better time than now.

His Commandments

Psa 119:4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

We are to keep His ways diligently. Diligently means completely and thoroughly with persistence. This goes back to hiding His Word in your heart. If His Word isn't in you, it is impossible to keep it. It is not an option for believers, we must do it. Many of us struggle with keeping His commandments because we are disobedient to them.

There are many scriptures which testify about the importance of being obedient to God and His Word. (1Sa 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 1Jo 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. ) To obey is better than sacrifice. When we obey God, we are showing Him the ultimate respect. It is as good as it can be at those times when we are obedient and God honors us at these times. Obedience isn't a burden for those who truly love the Lord.

His Leadership and Love

Psa 119:5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

The writer is making a request of God in the above passage. He is requesting that God directs his path and remove all hindrances that would cause him to disobey the Lord. He realizes that man is not inclined to follow God and obey His commandments, even as Adam after eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil was disobedient to God's command. We cannot in fact walk in obedience to God without His help.

We must obey God's commandments in spite of the difficulties we face. Some of God's commandments are hard to follow, but it is a must that we follow them. While we may not have the strength to follow them, God helps us and gives us strength when it is needed to keep walking in obedience to Him.

When Jesus came to earth His orders were clear and precise. He was to take on human form and live as men live with all the distractions and temptations that men have. He was then to die a death reserved for the most violent. His death was the death of murderers and thieves. It was part of the plan of God that this take place. (Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ) Men cannot get back to God on their own power. It took the ultimate sacrifice, not by man but by God Himself, to redeem men back to Him.


Closing Thoughts

Dear reader, God loves you so much that He is giving you the opportunity right now to come to Him. All must come to God by the Way that He made. I know that life is overwhelming at times because it still overwhelms me at times. God also knows what you are going through and is able to lift you up above it all. All it takes is to cry out to Jesus and believe that He is who He says He is. I use the present tense because Jesus lives on forever and ever. He will not, (nor cannot) die anymore.

If you are a believer and have found yourself slack in being obedient to God, there is no time like the present to repent and rededicate your life to Him. I received this Word not only for you, but for myself also. Many areas of my life need help and God is the only one who can help me. I pray that the Lord bless you abundantly more than you can contain that it spill over to others who are around you.