Our psalm today are words from a mind that seeks truth in a world of people who lie to get by.  Lies are always found out.  Lies are as destructive as physical blows.  Lies destroy relationships.  Lies are deception.  Satan is the “Father of lies”, so says the Word of God in warning to His people.  Lies are part of the arsenal used by evil to get us to avoid truth so we will be part of evil’s team.

God’s people added to His commandments with “laws” that give the priest man-produced power over those who were deemed “less than” they were.  The religious elite misused God’s Law, His Word to them, and turned Truth to lies.  But did evil win?  No!  Truth came down from heaven to set the world straight.  Truth is a Person.  His Name is Jesus. 

Many times, while speaking, Jesus would open his teaching statements with “You have heard it said, but I say to you…”  then Truth would be told, explained and understood with who God is, what He wants (which is always for our best life) with how He wants us to think and behave in this world.  Matthew 5: 27-28—is only part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and one in a series of examples he uses to emphasize the new dimension of spiritual awareness demonstrates:
 
“You have heard it said ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
 
In this and other passages with the same structure (“You have heard it said … but I say to you …”), Jesus seeks to move us from simple, fear-based obedience to the law upward to a higher dimension of spiritual awareness in relationship with God. This higher dimension does not abolish the law, but rather fulfils it (Matthew 5:17) by allowing us to understand the spiritual Truth of which the law is a temporal expression.

Jesus is Truth.  Satan is not.  Don’t get confused.  Think more like Jesus!

The Psalmist is seeking Truth in all of Life.  He finds it in quiet retreat with God.  “Stick with me and I’ll be all right; I’ll give total allegiance to your definitions of life”, sings the Psalmist.  I love this statement and I think God loves it, too.  Stick with me says God to us daily.  So, I’m sure when we ask Him to stick with us, He will!

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Part 15, Psalm 119, The Message

^113-120 I hate the two-faced,
    but I love your clear-cut revelation.
You’re my place of quiet retreat;
    I wait for your Word to renew me.
Get out of my life, evildoers,
    so I can keep my God’s commands.
Take my side as you promised; I’ll live then for sure.
    Don’t disappoint all my grand hopes.
Stick with me and I’ll be all right;
    I’ll give total allegiance to your definitions of life.
Expose all who drift away from your sayings;
    their casual idolatry is lethal.
You reject earth’s wicked as so much rubbish;
    therefore I lovingly embrace everything you say.
I shiver in awe before you;
    your decisions leave me speechless with reverence.

TRUTH: “Expose all who drift away from your sayings; their casual idolatry is lethal.”  Jesus exposed the drifters and revealed the Truth…” but I say unto you…”  Pray that God would reveal the drifters of truth so we avoid falling for lies.

Proverb 12:22, The Message

“God can’t stomach liars; he loves the company of those who keep their word.”

WISDOM:  Know lies, avoid lying.  Seek Truth.  Follow Truth. Truth is Jesus.

Abba, Father in Heaven,

Thank you for revealing Truth this morning in this quiet time with You.  Thank you for speaking to my heart about the extreme importance of avoiding lies to get by for a moment.  You hate lying!  Lying is the tool of evil to destroy our relationship with You and those you have put in our lives!  Please continue to reveal the lies of evil placed in the hearts of people that surround me.  Remove all that offends you that is in me.  Help me to discern Truth and what is a lie.  Help me to be honest and full of Truth in my walk always.  And when I am not, correct me. 

In Jesus Name, Amen