The psalmist wants to desire God's Word. He knows that it brings purpose and joy to life, but for the psalmist, much like us, it must've been a struggle, because we get to overhear him in this long psalm begging God to help him love and obey the Word. He knows intellectually that it's good for him, but he wants to long for it in his heart and live it out in his life. Perhaps this can challenge us to ask God for similar help.
I like that in verse 33 he asks God to teach him to follow His decrees. That is, he knows what the decrees are, but living them out is a different story. Acknowledging the difference in our lives between knowing God's will and living it out is wisdom. And that is what the author asks for in the next verse (34), "Give me understanding and I will keep your law." As Andy Stanley has said, "If we could see as He sees, we would do as He instructs us to do."
The author goes on asking God to direct him in the paths of His commands, recognizing, "for there I find delight." Why do we run from God's ways so often when obeying them would bring us the delight we're seeking?
Turning to more of an introspective thought, the psalmist asks in v. 36 for God to turn his heart toward His statutes and away from selfish gain (the NLT translates this, "do not inflict me with the love of money." - nice phrase). And this is our ultimate problem isn't it? Let me speak for myself, whenever I find myself not seeking and obeying God, it is typically due to my seeking selfish gain. Yet again, intellectually I know that abiding in Him will bring me ultimate joy (John 15:11) - but there's some kind of disconnect between my head and my heart.
I want to begin to pray more often (in a begging fashion) verse 37 - "Turn my eyes away from worthless things." I waste so much time on useless things (TV anyone?!) it drives me crazy.
God may you grant me the ability to focus on what is real and eternal as I remain in Your Word.
I feel like this section of scripture was written just for me today. As a single adult, I have the "freedom" to be as selfish as I choose to be. I do not have people in my home that are demanding things from me, yet God is challenging me to turn toward His statutes. I should actually have more time to be IN THE WORD. It seems I waste a lot of time on "worthless things".
ReplyDeleteI pray that God will continue to teach me and challenge me as I continue to "walk according to the law." -Tina
In the pharmaceutical business we do consumer studies about compliance to medication. The root cause , it was determined, why folks don't really finish/fill their Rx is because on a deep level they don't really believe the prescription works. Not time or routine. A lack of faith. This is how I feel about my regular reading time. I know it works in my head but deep down do I really have the belief that I NEED Gods word daily to cure what ails me ? I always fall into a feast or famine mentality. My prayer is vs 37 "divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way." (the msg)
ReplyDeleteVerse 37, also touched me too, I want to see with Jesus eye's, work with his hands, feel with his heart.... "I don't want to gain the World and loose my Soul" -Toby Mack-
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tina too!