“You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. I will obey your decrees do not utterly forsake me.” Psalm 119:4-8

It is Good Friday.. which is an oxymoron when I stop to think about it. Whoever came up with THAT name? The events of Christ’s suffering were horrific…NOT ‘good.’ And besides, I have a disagreement with lots of people that THIS was ‘that day.’ Since I think He was crucified on Thursday. (what do YOU say? ) But eh.. its all semantics anyway… right?. Until it isn’t.

I was reading Psalm 118 because I got a story that led me to research the notion suggestion that it just MIGHT have been ‘THE HYMN’ that Jesus sang with His disciples as they completed their ‘last supper.’ My eye wondered on… and then fell upon these verses in Psalm 119. ESPECIALLY on verse 5… “Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!” I am a Believer. I am forgiven. And I STILL often feel this way!

Psalm 119 is a Psalm about God’s Word. The Subject of His ‘written’ Word runs through this longest Psalm. But after reflecting on Holy Week, I sensed the Holy Spirit prodding me in His customary manner… ‘Go on a little farther.. it gets even deeper than that!” So I did… and fell right into it!

John 1:14 says, “ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.“ Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. That means the ‘WORD’ in Psalm 119 is NOT just WORDS! The WORD is JESUS! It finally registered that the Bible has NO, ZIP, ZERO way of addressing my FEELINGS in verse Psalm 119:5-6. That is…Until Good Friday!

I am Redeemed. A slave purchased COMPLETELY by the Blood of Jesus Christ. I am signed, sealed and delivered into God’s hand’s and Family, ONCE AND FOR ALL… FOREVER! And NOTHING can snatch me out of His hand. NOTHING! Not time, events, sin or personal failure. Not only that, but guilt and shame, which like to hang around like mosquitoes, have NO, ZIP, ZERO place to STICK or hold on to in my life.

What the LAW could NOT do… JESUS DID! I guess discovered ANOTHER GREAT reason why Good Friday is called ‘good!’ And Like the Hymn question asks… “What can wash away my sin? I can DEFINITIVELY answer what ‘I KNOW’!!! NOTHIN’ BUT THE BLOOD OF JESUS! I think I will add a little dancing in my step today! Cuz after all…God is GOOD EVERY DAY!

P.S. I WAS feeling guilty because we stayed up later than usual and I got up later too.  Thus these words are late… But hey guilt.. GO AWAY!