Homethis morning I read Psalm 119. The writer covers so much in this longest of psalms. The thing that stood out to me this morning is the different ways the psalmist gives his pleas to God as he worships Him. The Psalmist clearly states the things that we should do in efforts to keep God at the center of our lives. Meditating on His word, delighting in His word and His law, seeking him in all things. So one might think that the psalmist is giving a prescription of things to do. The psalmist is also speaking of his enemies and also speaking of his own righteousness and right living. Again, this makes one think that this could be a relationship with God based on works and on behavior and obedience. Yet when you read through it there is something else that is sprinkled throughout the psalm…
[Psa 119:33 ESV] - Teach me, O Lord , the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.
[Psa 119:34 ESV] - Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
[Psa 119:35 ESV] - Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.
[Psa 119:36 ESV] - Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!
[Psa 119:37 ESV] - Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.
[Psa 119:38 ESV] - Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared.
[Psa 119:39 ESV] - Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good.
[Psa 119:76 ESV] - Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.
[Psa 119:77 ESV] - Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.
[Psa 119:116 ESV] - Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
[Psa 119:117 ESV] - Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually!
[Psa 119:132 ESV] - Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name.
[Psa 119:133 ESV] - Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
[Psa 119:134 ESV] - Redeem me from man’s oppression, that I may keep your precepts.
[Psa 119:135 ESV] - Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.
throughout the psalm, you see this. An asking for God to intervene, to work in the heart, to act on our behalf. A knowledge that we cannot do it alone, the goodness we have is HIS. The love we have is because of HIM and our position before HIM is by HIS work.
My favorite verse today:
Your promise is well tried,
and your servant loves it. - [Psa 119:140 ESV]
I have rested on God and found him trustworthy, I have found Him true and I have found Him beautiful. I love the promises of God and I love God. Not perfectly, not as I will one day, but as He has enabled and drawn, I love Him. I cannot fathom the why, for there is no reason other than grace and mercy. Yet, He has redeemed me, of this I am confident and He keeps me secure. I love because I am loved and loved very well.
peace!