Psalm 119:9-16

The longest Psalm, 119, is loaded with verses that celebrate God's Word. At first it might seem strange to bask in the significance of a bunch of laws and ordinances, but for those of us who are United States citizens, don't we do this with our Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights? 

Having had the opportunity to visit the National Archives in Washington DC, it is quite amazing to take in the security of the actual documents. But then to consider that these documents serve as the blueprints for our government's structure, it cannot be dismissed that we celebrate (and sometimes debate) these man-created laws. 

How much more should we, as Children of God, hold in high esteem God's covenants? 

The last week, I've taken my morning devotion time to dwell among Psalm 119:9-16. What I share below are my unedited thoughts, as they came to me at 5:45am. So forgive me if it doesn't seem to flow as I hope my usual devotions do.

Ps 119:9 - How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

The only way to live according to the Word of God is to know what the Word of God says. And there is a difference between knowing enough to get the gist and really knowing it so that it actually changes the way that we live.

Ps 119:10 - I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.

My first-born/Type A personality really resonates with this verse. It is straight forward and coincides with my work-a-holic tendencies. If I simply stick to the well layed out plan that has stood the test of time, since time began, my life will not only be fulfilling to me, but pleasing to God as well - which of course is my heart's ultimate desire.

Ps 119:11 - I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

There are parties of people who think that memorization of anything, not just Scripture, is an outdated practice. However, there is some compelling research that states otherwise. That being said, the reason why Believers should practice memorization of God's Word is that it changes you from the inside out.

Ps 119:12 - Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees

As a teacher it's very gratifying when students are excited about your class. It's incredibly frustrating when students are totally apathetic about learning. And it's humbling when students choose to do what I've asked, not because they think learning is great, but because they want to please me.

Ps 119:13 - With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth

Synonyms of recount - tell, relate, describe, recite, repeat, rehearse
With intention we should be regularly reviewing God's ordinances so that we can check ourselves before we wreck ourselves.

Ps 119:14 - I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.

There is something about rules and laws that brings out a person's rebelliousness. But really it's not just about my own safety and well-being. It is so that a community of people can live in harmony and that's something to rejoice about.

Ps 119:15 - I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.

Jesus says that He is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me". (John 14) Our meditations and considerations should always begin and focus on the path Jesus has laid out for each of us.

Ps 119:16 - I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your Word.

1 - Delight and neglect are opposite - something you delight in will never be neglected. Something that is left neglected, you do not delight in.
2 - Neglect is the result of putting something off for other priorities. It's why our physical health, our relationships, our financial health, our home environments become in such bad shape. 
***Be diligent about putting First Things, first.

Psalm 119:9-16

This Spring I was struck down with the Plague of 2017 - or what others may refer to as "the flu". I can't remember the last time I felt as horrible as I did for over a week. I literally spent four entire days on my couch. And what did I do to pass the time away when I wasn't sleeping? I binged watched Downton Abbey - all six seasons in a matter of one week. It was so good! I loved the characters and their stories and it was sad to see the show come to an end. 

Like reading an excellent series of books, it's easy to get sucked into the story line of characters and their fictitious lives - oftentimes, losing all track of time and responsibilities. 

Has anyone ever lost track of time while reading their Bible? I can't say that I have. Praying, sure. But reading Scripture? Sadly, no. 

So when I read the words of Psalm 119:9-16, I have to ask myself, do I "seek with all of my heart"? Do I "recount all the laws"? Have I ever "rejoice(d) in following (God's) statutes"? 

I can get lost in what is going to happen next with Lady Mary Crawley, but do I get lost in God's written word? Have I ever read and studied Scripture, like I binged watched a favorite show? 

I can memorize, meditate, and make blog posts on Scripture passages but I am challenged by what the Psalmist pens, because there is no way that I can compete with how he loves the Word of God and how I feel about it. 

Maybe I am going about this the wrong way. Maybe this particular part of Psalm 119 shouldn't necessarily be used as a standard to evaluate my faith, but rather I can use it as a prayer to guide my thoughts so that my heart will be transformed. 

Thanks for hanging in there while I figure this out...it's taken me a while to get these words memorized. Now it's time to move them 12 inches from my head to my heart. 

Blessings!

Romans 5:8

Ugh. Today I have to tell you something that I really don't want to confess. So please be kind and gentle and understanding and forgiving as I share how God is working on me...

Last week I posted this on my Facebook page:

And it occurred to me yesterday on my (almost) daily 2 mile walk that lately, God has been telling me to "pull myself together", after all, I am a child of the Most High God. 

So here's the deal, a few weeks ago, I was reviewing another memory verse, Psalm 139:2-24:

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Now usually, I focus on the "anxious thoughts" because, well, I tend to have anxious thoughts sometimes. But on this special day, my mind wandered over to the "offensive way" portion of the passage. And so I dared to ask God, is there any offensive way in me?

Me: God, is there any offensive way in me?

God: You want to know what I find offensive? I'll tell you what I find offensive - the words that come out of your mouth. 

Me: That?

God: Yeah, that. What about that other verse you've memorized...Ephesians 4:29-32?

Me: Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

God: Go on...

Me: And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

God: Go on...

Me: Git rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 

God: You want to be my witness? Work on this. You are my child. I love you. 

And so as I work on becoming more conscientious about the words that are coming out of my mouth, I am also processing Romans 5:8. 

Knowing that I am a sinner, knowing that I'd have imperfect issues, habits, behaviors, and thoughts...Christ still died for me. That is mind-blowing. He didn't die for me because I was already righteous or even a good person (Ro 5:7). He died for me precisely because I wasn't those things; because I needed him to die in order to be made right before God. 

God is a good, good Father (title of a great song by Chris Tomlin, by the way...) and there is no end to his mercy - not giving us what we deserve - and grace - giving us what we certainly do not deserve. 

His forgiveness is gentle and healing and draws us in to a deeper relationship with Him. 

His love cannot be measured or matched. And it is because of this love, that he disciplines his children. He instructs us and guides us, so that we can experience as the Psalmist writes, the way everlasting. 

So, if you happen to stumble upon this post and you haven't yet taken God up on his offer of eternal life because you think that you're not good enough, let me tell you that you'll never be good enough, but God definitely is. And that's all that matters. 

Let God love you and forgive you. Accept that you are one of the ones that Christ died for. Yes, even you.