This week the blog is sponsored by Burke Care.
You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. Psalm 119:68
Corrie ten Boom as quoted as saying:
“If you look at the world, you will be distressed. If you look within, you will be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you will be at rest.”
This psalmist reached the same conclusion when he wrote this verse. He realized that the only true rest comes from God the Father, through Jesus the Son by the Holy Spirit. And he wants more…
“You are good…” The psalmist is not trying to invent a catchy marketing quip to attract fellow Jews to the ways of God. This is a real-life summary of his experience with His God. After significant struggle and grief, the psalmist finds himself surrendering to a sovereign God by simply acknowledging what he now fully understands, “God, you are good!”
“…and do good…” Then the psalmist is quick to acknowledge that God is not silent or inactive. He is an initiating God who does good in addition to being God. He is not distant or aloof. God the Father is the ever present, close, self-initiating God who does good, always.
The psalmist does not say it specifically, but he is implying that God is always this way. He is implying that God is always good, and always does only good.
“…teach me your statutes.” Then he concludes with the request to be taught more of God’s goodness. The psalmist admits that he wants to pursue learning about the full goodness of God. He acknowledges God’s “goodness” attribute and now he is expressing his desire to be taught the fullness of God’s goodness.
This is not unlike finishing a wonderfully healthy delicious meal only to acknowledge that the flavor of the meal was amazing, and the nutritiousness of the meal was incredible. And then asking for more…
“If you look at the world, you will be distressed. If you look within, you will be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you will be at rest.”
Corrie ten Boom
But you may not be there. Your plate may be loaded with struggles. You may find yourself weary, emotionally dry and undernourished spiritually. For you, this verse may be a reminder to cling to during challenging times. This verse may need to be more like “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” as found later in Psalm 119:105.
If you are experiencing overwhelming feelings of guilt, shame, or loneliness, this verse can become a promise to you. It can be like a light at the end of this dark season that you can pursue. Perhaps moving forward is difficult to imagine. I would encourage you to remind yourself of how Corrie ten Boom interpreted her struggles. She chose not to resolve her difficult circumstances on the hope of the world or the hope of herself. She resolved her heart to focus on Jesus, the Christ, our Savior. That is where we find rest.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4 ESV
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. – Psalm 23:1-3 ESV
To learn more about Burke Care or find a counselor, you can go to www.burkecare.org.
Father, You are good and You do good. I want to know more about who You are and what You promise. I want to be conformed into the image of Jesus who is the prefect image of You. I want more of You and I want to be more like You. Change me and make me into the image of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Application Questions:
- When are the times that I lose sight of what God has for me and stray away from Him?
- What areas of my life am I the self-appointed expert in and refuse to allow others to speak into?
- Where do I tend to not consider God as being good or even doing good?
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