May 3, 2013: Why are People So Mean to Me???

King David is lamenting in Psalm 119:
"I am laid low in the dust!
The arrogant have smeared me with lies!
The arrogant dig pitfalls for me!
How long must I wait???
When will You punish them?
Help Me! Men persecute me without a cause!
The wicked are waiting to destroy me!
The wicked have set a snare for me!
Do not leave me to my opressors!
I am lowly and despised!
Trouble and distress have come upon me!
Look upon my suffering and deliver me!
Many are the foes who persecute me!
Rulers persecute me without cause!"

There have been times in my life that I could have written this; how about you?

What was his attitude during his trials? He constantly pled with God to deliver Him.
But mixed in with the desperate cries is praise and adoration!

"Preserve my life according to Your word!"

He prayed all hours of the day and night!

"At midnight I rise to give you thanks for Your righteous laws!" (King David probably couldn't sleep anyway, so he decided to worship God instead of lying there worrying about things...)

"Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I obey Your word!
It was good for me to be afflicted!
I know that Your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness You have aflicted me!" 

(Whaaaa? God was obviously feeling the need to get David's attention, because he must have been slipping...)

"May Your unfailing love be my comfort!
All Your commands are trustworthy!
If Your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction!
I keep Your precepts with all my heart!
I will ponder Your statutes!
I have not strayed from Your precepts!
My flesh trembles in fear of You; I stand in awe of Your laws!
I do not forget Your precepts!
Your commands are my delight!
Streams of tears flow from my eyes!
I rise before dawn and cry for help!
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night that I may meditate on Your promises. 
I have not forgotten Your law!
I have not turned from Your statutes!
I tremble at Your word!"

And David's conclusion of everything was:

"Great peace have they who love Your law, and nothing can make them stumble." 

He CHOOSE peace.

"I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commands!"  (Exerpts from Psalm 119, AMP)

We have definitely all been in this situation, haven't we?
What can we learn from King David's affliction? 
Hang on, Hold on, and keep a right attitude!

"Dear Jesus, I have been here and done this. And You're telling me I will most likely go through this again! But it's okay! I've got You to get me through this! And You win every time! Help me to keep my eyes on You. And when I lose my pride, I will win. Every time. Thank You for Your amazing word. How I love You, Jesus. AMEN."