Psalm 119:33-48

33 Teach me your decrees, O Lord; I will keep them to the end.
34 Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;
I will put them into practice with all my heart. 35 Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.
36 Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money!
37 Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.
38 Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you.
39 Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good.
40 I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness.
Waw
41 Lord, give me your unfailing love, the salvation that you promised me.
42 Then I can answer those who taunt me, for I trust in your word.
43 Do not snatch your word of truth from me, for your regulations are my only hope.
44 I will keep on obeying your instructions forever and ever.
45 I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.
46 I will speak to kings about your laws, and I will not be ashamed.
47 How I delight in your commands! How I love them!
48 I honor and love your commands. I meditate on your decrees.

We have some interesting thoughts here for the person who thinks he (she) is smart enough to figure out the secrets of life on their own. Our Psalmist readily admits he's not. He says "teach me."

In my years of ministry I've run into countless people who declare they don't need God's help. They proclaim it is only the intellectually weak who need God. Well, take a look around at our culture and ask yourself this question: Have the "intellectually strong" done a reasonably good job of shaping our values?

I think not. Moral conduct is embarrassing. Fiscal restraint is non-existent. Social morays are hedonistic. Is this the environment in which we want to raise our children? really? We need some help. Listen to the Psalmist:
1. Teach me your decrees, O Lord;
2. Give me understanding
3. Make me walk along the path of your commands,
4. Give me an eagerness for your laws
5. Turn my eyes from worthless things,
6. Reassure me of your promise,
7. Help me abandon my shameful ways;
8. Renew my life with your goodness.
9. Give me your unfailing love,
10. the salvation that you promised me.
11. Do not snatch your word of truth from me,
Each one of these is a plea for help. A realization that...left to his own devices...he will fail God and himself. Now, his promise...if God is faithful...follows:
1. I will keep on obeying your instructions
2. I will speak to kings about your laws,
3. I will delight in your commands!
Think you could use some help today? Recite these 11 pleas from the Psalm. Offer them to God as a prayer and see if He doesn't respond.

Live boldly out there today...