Before I was afflicted I went astray

Before I was afflicted I went astray
Psalm 119:65-72 (New International Version)

65 Do good to your servant
according to your word, O LORD.
66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I believe in your commands.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey your word.
68 You are good, and what you do is good;
teach me your decrees.
69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
I keep your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
but I delight in your law.
71 It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees.

For months now friends had been commenting on the fact that I had gained a few pounds. I made my excuses to them and to myself and pretended that nothing was happening. Then “suddenly one day” nothing fit. This morning I was led to this scripture and the Holy Spirit revealed how easy it is to slip into anything from gaining weight to falling out of grace.

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, We don’t usually go astray in leaps and bounds; there’s the “little white lie” here, the failure to do something there, not finding time for God “just one morning” or “just one week” and on it goes.

66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment, has to be my daily prayer. I know that I need good judgment for my spiritual life and for my physical life if I am to enjoy all that God intends for me. It isn’t just knowledge, but good judgment in managing all that God gives to me including time, money, health, knowledge and most of all grace and mercy. Good judgment enables us to be good stewards of all of God’s gifts.

Father, God, I pray you do good to this your servant according to your word. I pray for knowledge and wisdom and acknowledge you as the source of all. I thank you for grace and mercy for the many times I have gone astray. Thank you, Lord..

71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. and I thank you, Lord, for gentle reprimands that open my eyes, acknowledging that it is your mercy that spares me from my own foolishness.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!