From Psalm 119:
ד Daleth
25 I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.
26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.
27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws.
31 I hold fast to your statutes, Lord;
do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.
Psalm 119 is, perhaps, my favorite of all the Psalms. It's one of the longest (each verse begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet), but in each verse, the Psalmist speaks of his own inadequacies, and God's great purpose through His word. It got me thinking of so much in my study this morning (I ended it with Psalm 119:1-31), that I could not help but share with you some of what the Lord revealed to me through His living word.
What do we value most? That is our God (I read about this in Isaiah 42-44 as well, and it stings!). The gods we create while trying to worship Almighty God are many. We may not make them out of gold, or silver, wood or iron any longer, but we have them just the same. We worship self. It's why there's entire industries made to glorify sex, and thus bring it outside the sacred and beautiful gift God gave us, while another industry exists to kill our young so we can have "me time" for a while, and more industries made to entertain and distract ourselves. The truth is, we worship us. These false idols we set up in the name of business, justice, entertainment, government, or whatever else glorify us. What we should be doing is crying out alongside the Psalmist saying "I am laid low in the dust!...Cause me to understand your precepts that I may meditate on YOUR wonderful deeds...I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding!" Would that we seek the Lord with our whole hearts! What would our lives look like? Would we be fearful to lose our lives, livelihoods, or anything else, or would we boldly proclaiming the Gospel on our way Home to be with the Lord?
What is holding you back from delighting in the Lord and His word? What is stopping you from true worship of God? Perhaps, then, it's time to bring down the idols, destroy the high places, and come home to the Father.
