A Look at Psalm 119:39
“God saved me, not only knowing what I was, but He saved me, knowing what I would become.”
Psalm 119:39 “Take away the disgrace I dread, for Your laws are good.”
The thing which we probably dread above all others is our failures before God. We dread our disobediences to Him, for such things are a disgrace to us. They hang over us like a black cloud. However, God can remove the disgrace.
The word “laws” in this verse means “teachings.” God’s law is our teaching. If we follow His laws, He will remove the disgrace of our past by bringing us into judgement. Nevertheless, His judgements are good for they are designed to separate good from evil in our lives.
Another term for laws could be, “customs.” In some cultures, customs are so strict and ingrained into society that to break one could mean death. However, when a person opens themselves to God and begins to follow His laws a dividing takes place in their life. This dividing between two opposing ways of doing things judges one as “right,” and the other as “wrong.” God’s judgments are meant to maintain His true customs and are designed to remove the evil and leave the good.
I once heard a saying that has become a favorite of mine:
“God saved me, not only knowing what I was, but He saved me, knowing what I would become.” It is not uncommon for believers to feel they have failed God and to be filled with disgrace. Sometimes we may even think that God is probably upset with the fact that He even saved me in the first place, since I have failed Him so much. The truth is, NOTHING could be less true! God not only knew what you were, He also knew what you would become, and yet He still saved you. There is obviously something God knows about you that you do not know about yourself!
Take some time to meditate on this verse, and as you do: Thank God for removing your disgrace, and then ask Him to help you submit more and more to His laws.
Continued
