Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2.

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5.

Yesterday I was reading in Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard, and I loved this from him: “My peace is the greatness of God.” I think that’s what the writer of our psalm, Psalm 119, is saying throughout all these many verses. Many verses talk about the enemy and he always comes back to the truth he knows in our Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit. My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word. v. 81. Hope. Not just in this psalm, in all of Scripture…but in all of our God. The greatness of all that God is is our peace. As we begin to walk with Him, we experience His love and care. It’s personal. Your word, Lord is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you…To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless. v. 89-91, 96. Do you ever give thought to our God’s love, boundless and enduring, established? Without God, how can we see to understand? Can your thoughts lead you into an eternity worth being? I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. v. 102-104. And this…so beautiful…Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path…v. 105. With God’s help, we can begin to see and understand.

Last night we watched Season 4, Episode 2 of The Chosen on YouTube. I loved how they showed Matthew and Simon Peter needing to come to grips with the anger and hurt banked within them. In talking with Jesus, Matthew tried to allow that what he had done to Simon as a tax collector was harmful in the abstract. Jesus would have none of that. It was not abstract, the harm done. It was real. And – that to ask for forgiveness doesn’t mean forgiveness given in the abstract. We don’t ask those we hurt for forgiveness – we repent. What is given by the other is forgiveness. And then, Simon Peter’s turn. Speaking with Jesus he could count 7 things Matthew had done against Israel, against Simon Peter, and by extension, against his family. What did Jesus say? 70 times 7 give forgiveness, and that – 70×7 – not the only number possible and needed. Jesus reminded Simon Peter of all that He had forgiven and given to Simon in healing. The greatness of God is our peace. Jesus asks us to leave our comfort zone and trust Him. Let go of everything harmful. Not all at once and only with His help. There is so much that needs to be left behind. He’s here. Always. He will help us. The greatness of our God!