Morning Moments

Psalm 119:81
CAPH is the eleventh letter of the Hebrew alphabet and the sub-title for the eleventh section of Psalm 119.

The word for soul is nepesh and is so translated 475 times, but is also translated life, person, heart, as well.  Since God made us a tricodomy or a tri-tripartite being, the soul is the seat of the mind, will, and emotions.  The spirit is the seat of conscience, communion, and intuition, and the body is where these abide as well as the means through which the soul and spirit communicate with man and God.

Think of the word fainth this way:  "I am just dying to see you.  It conveys the idea of an intense longing to the point of exhaustion.  The word translated salvation is deliverance, help or safety.

It is so sad that so many of us think of salvation only in terms of the new birth and an escape from hell.  Salvation is deliverance from sin, Satan, and SELF.
Regardless of what I may face, my confidence is that God will do precisely what He says He will do - deliver me!

Ps 119:82
Our tendency is to want what we want NOW, but God says we are only perfected after we suffer awhile.  It is the process of sharing in the afflictions of Christ and being conformed to the image of God's Son.  This whole thing of affliction is rarely explained because people would rather think of victory rather than virtue; conquering rather than crushing, cleansing, and conformity.  So it is our flesh nature that cries out, "WHEN wilt thou".

Ps 119:83
This is indeed an interesting expression - a bottle in the smoke.  The psalmist did not have in mind glass, but a leather bag.  It is, if I may suggest, like someone who smokes cigarettes; the clothes are saturated with the stench.  They wreak with the smell.

He goes on to say, "even though I seem consumed by the smoke, I am really consumed by You, O LORD, for I am remembering, reflecting, and meditating on your governing principles.

Ps 119:84
No one in his right mind wants or seeks to be persecuted, but it is a fact of the Christian life.  He sends us out as lambs in the midst of wool.  As with the leather bad, the smoke may surround us but it is not within us.  It may affect the external, but the internal is still as aged wine.

When will this end is often what we ask when in the fire.  When will those who criticize and find fault with us get their just reward?  God's promised it will come in time, so be patient. 

Ps 119:85
The enemy of our soul is constantly laying traps for us.  Sometimes we fall into the pit of miry clay or the dunghill.  BUT our loving God delights in taking us from those sticky and stinking places and stinking places to set our feet on the ROCK. 

The enemy disregards God's governing principles, but they are the lamp for our feet and the light for our path.

Ps 119:86
"For what glory is it, if when you are beating up for your faults (sins, missing the mark) you take it patiently?  But if you do well and suffer for it, this is acceptable with God" 1 Pet 2:20.

But what if I am wrongly persecuted?  "Blessed are you when men shall revile you and speak evil of you false for my name's sake, for great is your reward in heaven" Matthew 5:11-12

The LORD is our protector and aid.

Ps 119:87
Although the enemy almost swallowed me up, as the lion its prey, I absolutely refused to cease clinging to your principles and promises, O my God, because I know they are right.

Ps 119:88
Revive me, keep me alive because you love me and are so kind to and patient with me.  No one shall ever keep me from bearing witness to the truth and trustworthiness of You, my LORD, and your WORD.  AMEN!

BLESSINGS!