Delightful Council

Ever feel alone in a fallen, evil world? Ever wonder if you are THE only one who loves Jesus and is seeking to know Him more? In a world of bad news, lost family members, and people who are seeking hard after the temporary, those who are following after Jesus can feel very alone.

Praise the Lord, we are in good company! The psalmist who penned Psalm 119: 17-24 came face-to-face with this truth... "I am a stranger on earth" (v. 19a)

He was surrounded in verses 21-23 with the arrogant, those lashing scorn and contempt his way, and even rulers (those in authority over him) who slandered and lied about him. Ever had a bad reputation? Been lied about? Been around some arrogant people...unfortunately even within the church! I can certainly relate to this poor guy's plight.

In the midst of proud people, scornful lashing and slander it is easy to focus our eyes and hearts on those lies and feel isolated and alone. But THEN this psalmist sees the ray of light we ought to seek out..."Your [the Lord's] statues are my delight; they are my counselors." (v. 24)

The psalmist shifts his heart to delight, find its satisfaction, in God's Word and even gain council from it...probably on how to handle those annoying people!! Nonetheless, this psalmist gives us a beautiful example of how to wisely handle our own feelings of isolation, injustice and arrogance. Let's turn our hearts toward the council of the Word and fully delight in its truth!