Turning . . . to or from?

Psalms 119:65-72

You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to Your word. 66 Teach me good discernment 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 statues. 69 The arrogant have forged a lie against me; with all my heart I will observe Your precepts. 70 Their heart is covered with fat, but I delight in Your law. 71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statues. 72 The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

We are always turning, moving, making choices.
My friend and sponsor tells me we are never standing still. We are either moving forward or sliding backward. This scripture encourages the positives forward moving benefits of his affliction and the TURNING benefits in his life. Here's what God showed me about these benefits in my affliction and the choices I make to turn. . .

Benefit #1 vs 66 - The ability and willingness to be teachable in discernment, (judgement) and knowledge.

Benefit #2 vs 67- His affliction was a blessing because it caused him to turn to God. To evaluate the direction he was headed and change direction; make a better choice, choose God's way.

Benefit #3 vs 68 - Seeing who God is and that He is good and does good. This is not about God choosing good. This is a statement of God's character. God is good and because of that all He does is good.

Benefit #4 vs 69 - Clarity to see truth instead of lies. Satan's lies about us are both in our head with "stinkin' thinkin'" and comes at us through other peoples attacks, lies, half truths (which is a lie), manipulations to sin, temptations to sin. The enemy is working overtime against those who choose to follow the Lord, to believe His covenant word to us, to follow His precepts. Someone once said if you are not battling Satan daily in your life, you may be going in His direction. If your life doesn't threaten Him and His cause to thwart Christ in this world, why would Satan need to bother with you. Conflict, battles may be a measurement. My personal battlefield with Satan is my mind. How I think and then how choose I react to thoughts that are not from God. Scott Miller, Big Valley Grace Recover Pastor, says God is a gentleman. He never talks ugly to us. So if you are being torn down with negative thoughts about yourself, that is not from God. He never belittles us. That's Satan. TURN.

Benefit #5 vs 70 - Lightness. I struggle with weight and food. I have all my life, but I love this verse! Their heart was covered in fat! (referring to his lying enemies) We all know what fat does to the heart and body. He, however, was free from that fat and that give him lightness, freedom to move, breath, run, dance, serve. . . FREEDOM!

Finally
Benefit #6 vs 72 - Eternal riches; treasures in heaven; a view of life through a non- materialist lens.

All these benefits were because He chose to TURN from going astray to God, His law, His word, His precepts. The catalyst for this turning was his affliction allowed by a loving God whose desire for us is relationship with Him. That turning is repentance . . . turning from self to God.

Choices - Blessing - Freedom!

My mother's favorite song that echoed her heart and life was

I'd Rather Have Jesus

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold, I'd rather be His than have riches untold. I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land. I'd rather be held by his nail -pierced hands. Than to be the king of a vast domain or be held in sins dread sway. I'd rather have Jesus than anything, this world affords today.

Repentance is once for all for salvation but daily repentance from self, my way, to God's way is for the relationship that is described in Psalms 119 65-72.

Hallelujah What a Savior! Abba Father! Friend!