There is seldom a shortage of people who would like to lose weight. I have sat in a few weight loss programs trying to lose that last ten pounds. I have noticed, those who are strikingly successful do the program, whatever it is, wholeheartedly and they keep doing it.
In Psalm 119:1-24 we meet the Psalmist whose heart’s cry is to walk in the ways of God.
Read More word of God, wholehearted discipleship“ I am laid low in the dust; preserve me according to your word.”
Sailing on a windy day is exciting! The sailboat moves quickly over the waves, the wind is in your face and all is well in the world. Then there are still days with no wind and that same boat sits motionless. In today’s reading from this psalm we meet the writer downcast and weary.
Read More worthless things, weariness, selfishnessThere are some things in life you do only once; like ride your bike straight into a parked car. It is painful when you fall and embarrassing if people saw you. Your thoughts were wandering and you forgot what you were doing. Now the scrapes and bumps remind you – pay attention!
The psalmist reflects on wandering and the cost of it in verse 67.
Read More wandering, steadfastness, promisesRelief in times of difficulty and strife do not often come to an end as quickly as we would like. The psalmist talks about this very thing in verse 82 as he describes his eyes failing while looking for God’s promises. He is straining his eyes to see deliverance come down the road.
Read More waiting, expectancyThis Psalm is written with a prophetic edge to it. The psalmist is reflecting on a kingdom whose rule reflects the rule and love of God.
He talks about the prosperity of the righteous, help for the poor and harvest fields that are thriving. It is a land where justice is an everyday affair.
The Lord himself in Matthew 6:9-13 gives to us the Lord’s Prayer.
Read More kingdom, the poor, justiceWhat we allow to fill our view, influences our actions. If I stare at a wonderful piece of cheesecake, it will not be long before I am eating it. The Word of God and the truth we find in the Word of God are like that.
The psalmist reminds us of the sustaining power of God’s teaching.
Read More God’s faithfulness, word of GodWe all walk through seasons of our life which are stormy. We understand how the disciples may have felt in Matthew 8:23-27. While they were at sea a fierce storm rose and they were panicked. Fear gripped their hearts, though Jesus was right there! They thought he was not paying attention.
The writer in this portion of Psalm 119:97-120, while acknowledging his great love for the Word of God, is suffering terribly.
Read More trouble, suffering, prayer, God’s presenceIt was a bright sunny day when a wind surfing instructor stood teaching eight young and enthusiastic 25-year old students. They listened, but after ten minutes of instruction seven left for the lake. They were confident they had heard enough, though the instructor was not yet finished.
I was watching this and noticed the only one left listening was my young husband.
Read More Holy Spirit, instruction, hearing and doingEveryone has at least one getting lost story. Even knowing the instructions on how to get there, you got lost. Maybe you were distracted or perhaps misread a street name. Regardless, the outcome was the same: lost.
The Psalmist talks about his great love for the word of God and his obedience to it.
Read More Good Shepherd, lost, rescueHistory marches on, wars are fought, babies are born and others finish their tenure here on earth. Yet one unchanging truth remains, “God’s love never fails.”
God’s call to us is to give thanks to him; in every season of life – give thanks. As we enjoy the simplicity of his creation to the wonder of his deliverance in difficult times, give thanks, for his love never fails.
Read More constancy, love, thanksgiving