A devotional on the word of God.
Version: RSV
Psalm 119:1-8
1. Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! 2. Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, 3. who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! 4. Thou hast commanded thy precepts to be kept diligently. 5. O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping thy statutes! 6. Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all thy commandments. 7. I will praise thee with an upright heart, when I learn thy righteous ordinances. 8. I will observe thy statutes; O forsake me not utterly!
Psalm 119 was not written by David. According to my bible notes, “the author was an Israelite of exemplary piety who (1) was passionately devoted to the word of God as the word of life; (2) humbly acknowledged, nevertheless, the errant ways of his heart and life; (3) knew the pain—but also the fruits—of God’s corrective discipline; and (4) had suffered much at the hands of those who arrogantly disregarded God’s word and made him the target of their hostility, ridicule and slander.”
Wow! The first thing that strikes me here is “exemplary piety.” I get up early to pray and read my bible. Sometimes I may think of myself as being pious—in the back of my mind—without ever really forming the complete thought—but I can’t rate with this young priest! I do intend to seek God with my whole heart—but often pieces of my heart seek after other, wordly desires. I can’t even begin to say I do no wrong! I get grouchy if my husband stays on the computer too long in the morning and causes me to post my devotions later than I want to!
I can only hope that God’s precepts and statutes become so ingrained and imbedded in my heart and mind and soul that I should not be put to shame when judgment day arrives! But more than that, being put to shame on earth for what we believe doesn’t matter to this Psalmist. His only concern and ardent desire is to be found blameless and shameless in God’s eyes. That can be a really tough one. In the world most of us are not lauded for our piety and godliness. Just the opposite behaviors are expected and rewarded, most of the time!
When we are courageous, and live by God’s commandments, we do really need to rely on Him to provide us strength, endurance, courage, and especially confidence—not in ourselves, but in our permission—more—promise—that we can ask for God's help and He will provide everything— absolutely everything we need to live in this world and the next.
I hope your day is spent relying on God’s promise and living according to His ordinances.
Mary
