A Look at Psalm 119:75
God's Laws are designed for our right treatment...
Psalm 119:75 “I know, O Lord, that Your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me.”
God’s laws are righteous. What does righteousness mean? Righteousness has to do with our relationship with people, while godliness has to do with our relationship with God. We are made righteous through the shed blood of Christ and no other way.
We cannot earn righteousness. However, being made righteous, we are to do acts of righteousness. Acts of righteousness have to do with the right treatment of other people (even those we feel like we don’t like). Anything I do for another, in the name of Jesus, is an act of righteousness.
David said, God’s laws are designed for our right treatment. Subsequently, God allows affliction when necessary. When we violate the righteous laws of God, we will ultimately experience affliction. To treat others cruelly or to seek vengeance is to be in violation of the righteous laws of God. Therefore, because of the righteousness of God, He must allow affliction in our lives. Affliction may be the most merciful thing God could do to us because of how affliction brings us back to God.
We have a choice in the matter. We either live a life of obedience or we live a life of sacrifice. Because of affliction, we are brought to places of sacrifice.
1 Samuel 15:22 says, “To obey is better than to sacrifice.” The reason obedience is better than sacrifice is that obedience goes before sin and sacrifice comes after sin.
If we will obey, we will not sin. If we sin, the righteousness of God will allow affliction, which brings sacrifice and renews fellowship with God. Once we commit our life to Him, He begins a work in us which He is going to continue right up until the day Jesus returns. He loves us too much to not bring us back into obedience.
Take some time to let this verse sink in. Then thank God for His faithful afflictions and that He never gave up on you, even when you gave up on Him.
Continued
