You have dealt well with your servant,
O LORD, according to your word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
68 You are good and do good;
teach me your statutes.
Even though we lost Dan Allen earlier this year, his phrase, “Better than I deserve”, is still talked about here in Cape May as the perfect response to the question, “How are you doing?” The psalmist seems to be saying the same thing. Even though we do not know his situation, which seemed to include affliction, he could say with confidence that the Lord has dealt well with him. He then turned his attention to the main theme of this, the longest chapter in the Bible. The word. The Scriptures took center stage as he longed to learn them and keep them so he would no longer go astray.
It is a shame that there are so few people in America like the psalmist. An article I read today laments the fact that a biblical worldview is rare, even in our churches, because it is not preached, read, or kept. Instead, Christians act like they deserve to be served at church instead of serving, complaining about their customer satisfaction. They trust their own judgment, forgetting God and care nothing for the commands of Scripture, to love the Lord, make disciples, and love their neighbor. Perhaps the psalmist can enlighten these folks by informing them that they are better than they deserve.
Dear Lord, thank you for the Bible and for the truth and guidance found in it. May we be aware of our sin and love you even more for your mercy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church