Read It: Psalm 119:121-122
Live It:
Common throughout the Old Testament is the belief in what we now term the retribution principle. The short version of the definition of the retribution principle is that if one does good he/she will be rewarded with blessings, but if one does evil he/she will suffer the consequences. Job’s three friends all hammered Job in their speeches with this principle.
The Psalmist has this principle in mind as he writes this section of Psalm 119. He first declares himself to have acted righteously and justly, and on that basis he pleads to be spared from those who would oppress him. He further pleads his case by asking for protection from the arrogant and to be kept safe and be well cared for.
While our understanding of God’s dealings with us is different – we live under God’s mercy and grace, we sometimes behave as though we live under the retribution principle. When something bad happens to us or to our families we have a tendency to ask, “What did I do to deserve this?” As a matter of fact, our son who lost his wife to cancer just over a year ago asked me that question when he found out about Diana’s battle with cancer. The answer is not about us and what we have or have not done. It is about the goodness of God and the knowledge that HE DOES ALL THINGS WELL.
Be blessed today as you surrender your life to God and his goodness!
Pastor Rod