A Look at Psalm 119:68

Psalm 119:68 “You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.”

David is continuing his thought from the previous verse. Even though God may allow affliction in our lives, we must always remember that God is good, and what He does is good. Affliction is a type of judgement. Judgement is the separation of good from evil. 

We may view affliction as being anything but good. However, if affliction brings us to a place of learning His (God’s) decrees, it is ultimately good for us. A decree is a decision God has made. To view all of God’s decisions in light of His goodness helps us to accept them. All that God does, He does for our good. (Allow that truth to settle into your heart and mind.) 

Hebrews 5:8 says, “Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.” Even the Son of God learned through affliction. What if Jesus had not learned obedience and then disobeyed His Father? That would have been the greatest tragedy mankind would have ever known. Jesus knew that God is good, and even suffering is ultimately for good.

Hebrews 12:5-6 sheds more light on this, “My son do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves.” To be able to express God’s goodness in the face of affliction is a sign of maturity. It’s accepting the discipline of life as a part of God loving us and shaping us.   

In Psalm 103:10 we read, “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” 

We must always remember, the goodness of God is not expressed on what we are going through. It is expressed in how He has kept us from going through all we deserve. We deserve eternal punishment. We deserve an eternity separate from the presence of God. The next time you suffer affliction, thank God for keeping you from all you deserve. 

Take some time to let this verse sink in – chew/meditate on it; thank HIM for HIS goodness.

Continued