Psalm 119:145-152
145. With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord! I will keep thy statutes. 146. I cry to thee; save me, that I may observe thy testimonies. 147. I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in thy words. 148. My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate upon thy promise. 149. Hear my voice in thy steadfast love; O Lord, in thy justice preserve my life. 150. They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; they are far from thy law. 151. But thou art near, O Lord, and all thy commandments are true. 152. Long have I known from thy testimonies that thou hast founded them for ever.
The psalmist’s sole purpose for living is to worship God! If that were how I live my life, it would be both much simpler, and yet much more difficult! At least I say it would be difficult! In fact, I tell myself that – perhaps my excuse for not relying solely on God’s steadfast love and perfect justice to preserve my life!
This priest stays awake all night – not in a “waiting for Santa” excitement, or in an “I have to give an important presentation at work tomorrow” anxiety. He stays awake because the night provides him time to worship God and to reflect upon the ways he can more closely and completely obey His commandments. He uses the time for meditation and prayer, trusting that in the morning, he will have the energy and strength to do whatever he needs to accomplish. Relying solely on God gives us that energy and strength. There are times when I feel that I would like to get away from it all and just be alone with God. Away from telephones and tv’s. Away from the evening news and work deadlines. Away from appointments and commitments. Away from myself.
Our psalmist trusts that God hears him, because of His steadfast love and will sustain him because of His perfect justice. What confidence and courage! Remember, this was written—this man lived—long before Christ. From what I can glean, he wasn’t even imagining that such a gift was possible to a fallen, sinful man! That’s faith. That’s hope. That’s love and devotion.
I hope you spend your day rejoicing that we have the risen Christ to sustain us through our days and our nights.
Mary
