Text:

"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. 69 The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; 70 their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law. 71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. 72 The law of your mouth is better to me  than thousands of gold and silver pieces. 73 Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. 74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word. 75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. 76 Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant. 77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight. 78 Let the insolent be put to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehood; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts. 79 Let those who fear you turn to me, that they may know your testimonies. 80 May my heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame!"

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Lexicon:
vs. 66 - judgment - "taste, flavor, discernment, reason"

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vs. 66 - knowledge - "intelligence, understanding, wisdom"

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vs. 66 - I believe - "to stay, to sustain, one who carries or cares for a child, to build up, to be firm and unshaken as one may safely lean on, to trust, to be secure"

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vs. 68 - you are good - "good, kind, upright, beautiful, pleasing to the senses, cheerful and merry"

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vs. 68 - do good - "to be good, to be beautiful and agreeable, to be cheerful and merry, to do good to someone"

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vs. 71 - good - "it is well with me, a blessing of good, welfare"

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vs. 71 - afflicted - "to bestow labor upon anything, to exercise oneself in anything, to till the ground and bring forth cultivation, to depress and oppress, to submit oneself to anyone"

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vs. 73 - made - to work upon anything, to make, to produce by labor, to produce it from oneself, to create, to prepare, to make ready,"

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vs. 73 - fashioned - "to stand upright, to erect, to establish, to maintain, to direct or aim as arrows, to turn one's mind to anything, to strengthen, to appoint, to prepare and make ready, to confirm"

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vs. 74 - hoped - "to expect, to wait, to be patient, to trust, to be pained, to tarry"

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vs. 75 - in faithfulness - "firmness, security, steadfastness, steadiness, fidelity, faithfulness in fulfilling promises"

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vs. 76 - comfort - "to console, to have compassion, to be moved to pity"

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vs. 77 - mercy - "very tender affection, natural affection towards relatives, compassion, pity, grace, favor, the womb as cherishing the fetus"

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vs. 79 - turn to - "to turn about, to return, to cease from an evil way, to return into the possession of anything, to restore, to renew, to bring back, to refresh"

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vs. 80 - shame - "put to silence, be confounded, to fail in hope and expectation, of the mind (troubled, disturbed, confused), to blush or be ashamed"

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What does this reveal about God's character?

God is good and He is does good. God is our creator and sustainer.  He continues to direct toward and prepare us to accomplish His good and pleasing will.  He is faithful to His word and, in that faithfulness, He allows trials in our lives that we may cultivate and bring forth fruit in due season.  God is tender and affectionate toward us. He cherishes us as a womb cherishes and cares for an unborn child.  

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Questions:

1) Do I believe and trust in the goodness of God?

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2) Do I look to God to direct and sustain me?  Have I simply sought salvation but am not leaning on Him to establish and strengthen me to live saved and free?

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3) Do I turn to God's word to carry me?  Do I trust in His word and His promises?

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4) Can I say that the trials God has allowed is for my good even if I can't see the good out of my situation? What deep places of my heart do I need to allow God to heal with His light and love so that I can say "it is well with my soul?"

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5) Am I receiving the love of God, knowing He cherishes and cares for me?  

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6) Do I point others to God, that they may know His salvation, restoration and refreshment?

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Prayer:

Father God, I praise you for your are good.  You are good and you do good.  Forgive me for doubting your goodness when I am sad, hurt and angry.  Thank you for the trials and sufferings you have allowed in my life. It's hard and sometimes impossible for me to see your hand working in it all, but I trust in you and in your faithfulness to fulfill your promises.  I know that with you, nothing is wasted.  I look to you, Lord, to be my Rock and sustainer of life.  I ask you to direct my footsteps to do your will, so that I may bring glory and honor to you. I turn to you, Father, to love and cherish me.  I ask you to fill me to the brim with your love, that I may overflow onto those around me that you place in my path and sphere of influence.  Let me be a light for you and bring others to know your love, salvation, restoration and refreshment, as you have shown me.   In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!