153 Look upon my suffering and rescue me, for I have not forgotten your instructions.
154 Argue my case; take my side! Protect my life as you promised.
155 The wicked are far from rescue, for they do not bother with your decrees.
156 Lord, how great is your mercy; let me be revived by following your regulations.
157 Many persecute and trouble me, yet I have not swerved from your laws.
158 Seeing these traitors makes me sick at heart, because they care nothing for your word.
159 See how I love your commandments, Lord. Give back my life because of your unfailing love.
160 The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.
161 Powerful people harass me without cause, but my heart trembles only at your word.
162 I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure.
163 I hate and abhor all falsehood, but I love your instructions.
164 I will praise you seven times a day because all your regulations are just.
165 Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.
166 I long for your rescue, Lord, so I have obeyed your commands.
167 I have obeyed your laws, for I love them very much.
168 Yes, I obey your commandments and laws because you know everything I do.
169 O Lord, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised.
170 Listen to my prayer; rescue me as you promised.
171 Let praise flow from my lips, for you have taught me your decrees.
172 Let my tongue sing about your word, for all your commands are right.
173 Give me a helping hand, for I have chosen to follow your commandments.
174 O Lord, I have longed for your rescue, and your instructions are my delight.
175 Let me live so I can praise you, and may your regulations help me.
176 I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands.
See how I love your commandments, Lord!
On my best day I would have difficulty making this claim...although it rolls off our Psalmist's lips with perfect authenticity. Why do God's laws seem difficult and restricting for us? Why are they so difficult to obey?
Perhaps the answer is in our failure to appreciate God's commandments for what they represent in our lives. Think about this:
1. The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever. Give this some thought. Every word spoken by God is...by it's very nature...truth. It will stand forever. I don't always regard the "Word of God" as unassailable truth. More often I regard it as rules I must obey to secure God's blessings in my life. If we could capture some of this psalm's insight we might just re-orient our thinking. If God's commands are essential truths that will stand forever they become a blessing rather than a curse.
Sort of like playing Scrabble...and I begin the game with all the tiles. I like those odds.
2. Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble. Just as important is the promise that devotion to God's commands results in peace...as well as precision. One of the great challenges in life is fear of failure. failure embarrasses us, our families and our God. This fear often leads to discouragement, even depression when we see the results of our frail efforts to please God. "We will not stumble" is a great and precious promise that should surely result in peace of mind.
Does this mean I will never sin? Not according to our Psalmist. He says "I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands". What this means is that whenever we lose our bearings...wander away...we can count on God to come and find us. It means that, for people of faith, our sin will never estrange us from God. Sin is certainly not something we accept but...more importantly...it should never be something we fear.
Live boldly out there today...
No comments:
Post a Comment