The passage I read was Psalm 119:25-40
You can find that passage here:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20119:25-40&version=NKJV
My summary of the passage is this:
Ok, so wow! If you have never studied some of the history involved with and the way that the Psalm was written, please do. Way more info than I could ever put here. Very interesting to study and there is plenty very useful information to apply to our lives.
You may already know that Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm, but did you know it is also the longest chapter in the Bible? That being said, I will be unable to summarize this passage in context and instead will take it as I see it individually written (as many sections of this chapter were likely written at different points of David’s life making it difficult for one to pin down one single idea or flow from one section to the next).
This particular passage may have been written following David’s indiscretions in my opinion. I say this because it seems as though his humble approach and request for revival from the Lord is almost apologetic. I get the general feeling that David is confessing to God that his own way didn’t work and he is in need of the Lord to teach him, make him understand, strengthen him, remove dishonesty from him, be merciful to him, and in all ways help David to acknowledge and delight in walking in the will of the Lord. Again, I cannot say for sure this is following David’s adultery and murder sins as it could just be his general desire for the Lord to improve upon him and not a sorrowful request following a falling. Either way, I definitely encourage you to read this passage for yourself and I’d encourage you more so to take a gander at some of the many studies done of Psalm 119. So much great information out there on it and so many books written just based on this one Psalm.
As I reflect:
My soul clings to the dust…. What a dramatic depiction. I am trying to imagine the emotion and thought pattern that one might feel to cause this to be written. Think about it. Your soul clinging to the dust. That’s gotta be like the lowest feeling ever. You gotta really be down I think. Revive me according to your word. Regardless of how bad this person (whom I believe was David but has been argued from multiple stand points over the years) felt, they knew to not only call upon the Lord, but they knew how to do so. They didn’t call out to God to save them the way that they wanted to be saved. Instead, they called for revival “according to Your word”. From here on out, the rest of the passage seems to intently focus on the level of devotion offered by the Psalmist to the Lord and the Lord’s word, statutes, law, testament (as does much of the entire Psalm).
Now, I dare not say that I can compare myself to this Psalmist in his level of devotion to the law, though I wish that I could and hope that perhaps one day I will find myself as devoted for the right reasons. I see in myself often a lack of this type of full devotion to seek after every word that comes from the Lord’s mouth and fully apply it to my life. I think personally that a lot of Christians seem to have this same problem. We have this solid stance on Christ but a wishy washy stance on things we aren’t ready to let go of that hinder us from walking with Him. Our sins often occur as a direct result of us trying to find ways around some of the uncomfortable stuff we may read or hear about in the Bible. We may try to make excuses or be sneaky about not fully applying the word to our lives in every crevice, but there is always the need for just that. David doesn’t weasel his request around the discomfort of change here. He doesn’t request the Lord to come in and save the day sweeping David off the ground and setting him back on the throne. Instead His request seems heartfelt as a confession that his own ways and his own plans just don’t work without the Lord. He makes his request known plainly and it seems to me like he doesn’t count a price in his request. There is no consideration for what he may lose or go through for the Lord to answer his prayer. I believe that’s because his motive for the request was right. He didn’t seek knowledge or wisdom for pride sake, but because he knew as I know that the Word of God can give life and take it away. The Word of God is given power when we fully apply it to our life. We can’t be fake in approaching God as we ask for Him to make changes that may be uncomfortable or turn our entire life upside down. We need to trust in the lord fully in every crevice of our lives and not just here or there. This may mean sacrifice. But, I believe as David did, that there is no possession or comfort so great that I would consider keeping it over walking in all that the Lord has for me both in this life and in the next.
You know what? I totally get why so many books are written on this Psalm. I look up and see multiple paragraphs and I’ve only written on the first 2 verses I reflected on so far. Lol. I think, instead of writing a book myself here, I’m just going to continue my reflections off line. As for applicability daily… I’d say I can take from this passage that my life requires devotion to God’s word and will in my life regardless of what comfort zones I may be taken out of. When someone says to me, “you know it could just be God telling you ______, etc”, I must not take my comfort zones into consideration when pondering the message received. I encourage you also Christian, allow your comfort zones to become lowest priority when considering the will of God in your life and in the lives of those around you. I think we will both find that we will become more effective in the delivery of the Word if we take this approach.
My response to the Lord:
Lord, my Father whom I am able to approach with anything, I know that you are faithful and I know that you will complete the work begun in me. I lift up your name for all that you have done and will do for everything that you do is good and you are worthy of glory for it. Even your very word is to be glorified Lord. I am thankful to be able to consider myself adopted into your family. To be a member of the most high have meant everything to me Father. Your accepting me in and forgiving me and being merciful and then blessing me with grace after grace has meant more than words can imply to my soul. Thank you Father. I remember the day I got laid off. I remember that morning coming to you in prayer. I remember a point in prayer where I actually felt fear because I was praying for you to align my life to your will and I knew that that was going to mean change. At the time, I stopped and laughed with you about how foolish it was of me to fear change in that manner when you are to be trusted with every aspect of my life. How could I ever trust you to save my eternal soul but not trust you to direct my path of employment? I smirk now at myself then and wonder how many more times in life I might look back and say, “I was so foolish not to trust you more.”? I don’t want this to be one of those times Father. I ask you as the Psalmist asked you, strengthen me according to your word. Make me understand the way of your precepts. When I fall, Lord revive me according to Your word. Remove from me anything that is not of You and grant me Your law graciously. Lord, do not put me to shame, but help me to run the course of Your commandments and enlarge my heart. Teach me Your statutes and incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and establish Your word to Your servant who is devoted to fearing You. Turn away my reproach which I dread, For Your judgments are good. Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me in Your righteousness. I pray this to you my Father in the name of your Son Jesus Christ.
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