This morning, for my devotional time, I read the first section of Psalm 119- Aleph. (I am planning on looking to see if I can find what the title divisions mean.)
It seemed to me that the section was broken into three parts. First, verses 1-3 talk about those who obey God's word and are blessed because of it. Then, in verses 4-5 state that God has given us precepts that are to be obeyed. The Psalmist wishes he obeyed those precepts constantly. It wraps up with verses 6-8 stating how things would be different if he did steadfastly obey God.Aleph
1 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the LORD.2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart.3 They do nothing wrong;
they walk in his ways.4 You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!6 Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.7 I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.8 I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.
The thing that jumped out to me in this passage is verse 6:
Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.I feel that way when I study the Bible. It is like a mirror, or a magnifying glass into my life. It points out to me all of the things I do or don't do that I should. It shows me my heart and how it measures up to the godly-or ungodly- people in the Bible.
I don't want to be put to shame when I read the Bible. I want to be encouraged to continue running the race with endurance, not scolded for taking my place on the sidelines. For this to happen, I need to strive to live every day in accordance to God's will and commit myself to knowing fully what that will is.
This brings me to my new scripture I am memorizing. This one is a little longer, so it will probably take me a while. It is Isaiah 55:10-11
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
How rich is that?! God has a specific purpose for the words he spoke in the Bible and He will continue to work towards that purpose until it is achieved! If I only search for it, God will show me his will. Thank you God! This reminds me of a Casting Crowns song, The Word is Alive. I will leave you today with their song.
