In The Word
Read Psalm 119:129-152
Pe.
Your testimonies are wonderful;
Therefore my soul observes them.
The unfolding of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.
I opened my mouth wide and panted,
For I longed for Your commandments.
Turn to me and be gracious to me,
After Your manner with those who love Your name.
Establish my footsteps in Your word,
And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of man,
That I may keep Your precepts.
Make Your face shine upon Your servant,
And teach me Your statutes.
My eyes shed streams of water,
Because they do not keep Your law.
Tsadhe.
Righteous are You, O Lord,
And upright are Your judgments.
You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness
And exceeding faithfulness.
My zeal has consumed me,
Because my adversaries have forgotten Your words.
Your word is very pure,
Therefore Your servant loves it.
I am small and despised,
Yet I do not forget Your precepts.
Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And Your law is truth.
Trouble and anguish have come upon me,
Yet Your commandments are my delight.
Your testimonies are righteous forever;
Give me understanding that I may live.
Qoph.
I cried with all my heart; answer me, O Lord!
I will observe Your statutes.
I cried to You; save me
And I shall keep Your testimonies.
I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I wait for Your words.
My eyes anticipate the night watches,
That I may meditate on Your word.
Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your ordinances.
Those who follow after wickedness draw near;
They are far from Your law.
You are near, O Lord,
And all Your commandments are truth.
Of old I have known from Your testimonies
That You have founded them forever.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
God’s Word is pure; it is good; it is powerful. It heals, saves, revives, and directs. No wonder David loved it more than gold. When our footsteps are firmly established in His Word, we have dominion over sin. We make decisions that please God and bring life to us. It’s the unfolding of God’s words that illuminates our way. As we embrace His Word by meditating on it night and day, we begin to not only see the light, but understand the way.
We are told by God to get not only wisdom, but understanding. Understanding deepens our conviction of why we do what we do. If we don’t have the why, many times we can be talked out of holding to God’s wisdom and choosing man’s wisdom. I always tell my children the reason behind a command. When they understand the reason, it strengthens them to hold firm to the command. Here is a simple example: if I tell my son not to run on the rocks, but don’t give him the reason why, he is tempted to run because he can’t understand why he shouldn’t. But if I tell him it’s because you may fall and hurt yourself, he sees that the command was for his well-being and given out of my love and concern for him. This strengthens his position to obey.
Don’t be satisfied with just knowing the way, seek to understand it. This will strengthen you against the lies of the enemy and keep sin from having dominion over you. Look deeper into the light, and you will find the understanding to your path.