Sharper Iron — God's Word is Our Great Heritage - Psalm 119:65-72: God Is Good; His Love Attends Me

In the ninth stanza of Psalm 119, we praise God for His goodness, which He reveals in His Word and His actions toward us. He even uses afflictions for our good by keeping us from going astray and drawing us closer to His instruction. Although the insolent attack us with false teaching, the LORD guards us by His truth that He is our good and gracious Savior.

Rev. Tom Eckstein, pastor at Concordia Lutheran Church in Jamestown, ND, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 119:65-72.

“God’s Word Is Our Great Heritage” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through Psalm 119. As this longest Psalm takes us through an acrostic journey through the Hebrew alphabet, our God teaches us to find joy, refuge, strength, and life in His Word, which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Psalm 119:65-72

Teth

⁶⁵You have dealt well with your servant,
    O Lord, according to your word.
⁶⁶Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
    for I believe in your commandments.
⁶⁷Before I was afflicted I went astray,
    but now I keep your word.
⁶⁸You are good and do good;
    teach me your statutes.
⁶⁹The insolent smear me with lies,
    but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
⁷⁰their heart is unfeeling like fat,
    but I delight in your law.
⁷¹It is good for me that I was afflicted,
    that I might learn your statutes.
⁷²The law of your mouth is better to me
    than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

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Rev. Timothy Appel

Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).