Deceitful tongues and lying lips

It took me awhile to get on the same page with this Psalm.  Here's what I got. 

It hurts when someone says one thing and does the opposite.   There's a feeling of betrayal mixed with a sense of disrespect.  Did the person think I couldn't handle the truth?  Did they think I was too stupid to figure out what's going on here?  I remember working on web design and development, when one of the managers told me she wanted a girl to help me out.  It sounded good, but when I talked to the girl she didn't understand anything about it.  She barely knew how to turn on a PC.  This wasn't help, it was a serious problem.  I'd never make my deadlines.  I wondered if they thought what I did was so simple anyone could do it.  In reality, it took hours to put together a working web application.  It was anything but simple.  I much prefer having fun as to pouting, so I went to my manager and explained.  The idea was stopped.

Psalms 120

In this Psalm the author is frustrated by what men tell him, and then what they actually do.  I had to wonder if they were trying to please the author and keep him quiet.  He wasn't fooled and went to his manager, God.  He asks to have his soul delivered.  God does heal us when we are told a lie.  He loves us very much.

1 In my distress I cried to the Lord,
And He heard me.
2 Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips
And from a deceitful tongue.

Ouch!  He's got some nasty plans for these guys.  But these were the result of war in this time period- instead of peace.
3 What shall be given to you,
Or what shall be done to you,
You false tongue?
4 Sharp arrows of the warrior,
With coals of the broom tree!

Meshech and Kedar refer to foreign places.  The author of this Psalm feels like he's in a foreign country- no one understands what he is saying. I can relate to that!
5 Woe is me, that I dwell in Meshech,
That I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 My soul has dwelt too long
With one who hates peace.
7 I am for peace;
But when I speak, they are for war.
NKJV

This verse came to mind after I read this Psalm.  Sometimes it seems more important to get the praise of men, than the praise of God.  God's opinion of us always matters most.  These verses are from the New Testament.  Many of the rulers believed in Jesus, but were afraid of what the Pharisees would do.  In my experience, I haven't missed out on anything worthwhile by following Him.
John 12:42-43
42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
NKJV

Today some still say Jesus isn't real.  But that's a lie, a very sad lie.  The inner love, joy and peace of knowing the Lord far outweighs the feeling of being cool once in awhile.

Bucket of lard?

"Be good to Your servant, God."  That's how this part of Psalm 119 starts out.  I've never thought of asking God, the Almighty, to be good to me.  I always pray I'll be good for Him.  He is always good to me.  But today I pray He'll be good to me, as good as His Word- just to see what it's like.  The author asks God to train him in common sense.  I could sure use that!  Even though I am committed to Christ, I still wander at times.  Now, what was my point?  Oh yeah.  Hahaha, I definitely wander.   And, when I get too emotional, I get run-on sentences!

Psalms 119:65-72

65 Be good to your servant, God;
be as good as your Word.
66 Train me in good common sense;
I'm thoroughly committed to living your way.
67 Before I learned to answer you, I wandered all over the place,
but now I'm in step with your Word.
68 You are good, and the source of good;
train me in your goodness.

These verses reminded me of my last office job.  While God teaches us to build each other up and encourage others, my boss thought he should go around and make up stories about me.  It was very annoying.  It's been almost two years since I left.  A guy who lost his job in the most recent round of cut backs, chewed the boss out before he left.  One of the things he said was that the boss forced me to quit...  I figured they'd all forgotten me by now : )  It kind of shows the results of spreading lies, it's "bland as a bucket of lard."  I love that, although I don't recommend calling your boss that.  The truth is, God allowed it to become impossible for me to stay.  He had better things in mind for me.  What good do lies achieve?  None.  They eventually draw all eyes to the liar.  I chose to focus on God's Word and found the courage and strength to move on.
69 The godless spread lies about me,
but I focus my attention on what you are saying;
70 They're bland as a bucket of lard,
while I dance to the tune of your revelation. 

Now I "dance to the tune of your revelation."  Things worked out for the best for me.  This all drove me further to the Lord, my photography, writing, and artwork.  This blog helps me focus on His Word more.  My best friend kept trying to talk me into coming back to the old job.  But, I knew it wouldn't work out.  She's finally admitted I left at the right time.
71 My troubles turned out all for the best —
they forced me to learn from your textbook.

The funny thing about gold is that it just doesn't last very long...  Always seems to run out.  But the peace, joy and love of knowing Jesus endures forever.  I choose Christ. 

72 Truth from your mouth means more to me
than striking it rich in a gold mine.
THE MESSAGE