Slices
Prepare
Think of someone, possibly someone you know, who has lived in obedience to God’s Word through their lives. What does their life look like? How is it different from those who ignore God’s Word?
Bible passage
פ Pe
129 Your statutes are wonderful;
therefore I obey them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.
131 I open my mouth and pant,
longing for your commands.
132 Turn to me and have mercy on me,
as you always do to those who love your name.
133 Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me.
134 Redeem me from human oppression,
that I may obey your precepts.
135 Make your face shine on your servant
and teach me your decrees.
136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
for your law is not obeyed.
צ Tsadhe
137 You are righteous, Lord,
and your laws are right.
138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
they are fully trustworthy.
139 My zeal wears me out,
for my enemies ignore your words.
140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
and your servant loves them.
141 Though I am lowly and despised,
I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is everlasting
and your law is true.
143 Trouble and distress have come upon me,
but your commands give me delight.
144 Your statutes are always righteous;
give me understanding that I may live.
ק Qoph
145 I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord,
and I will obey your decrees.
146 I call out to you; save me
and I will keep your statutes.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I have put my hope in your word.
148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promises.
149 Hear my voice in accordance with your love;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your laws.
150 Those who devise wicked schemes are near,
but they are far from your law.
151 Yet you are near, Lord,
and all your commands are true.
152 Long ago I learned from your statutes
that you established them to last for ever.
Explore
In these three sections of Psalm 119, the writer continues to praise the wonders of God’s Word (v 129). It gives light (v 130), it directs our steps (v 133), it is tried, tested and true (vs 140–142) and it provides understanding and delight (vs 143,144). And for the writer of this psalm, the bottom line is clear. God’s Word is to be obeyed: ‘Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them’ (v 129). He references obedience, directly or indirectly, at least seven times in these verses.
As well as celebrating God’s good instruction and his desire to live in response to it, the psalmist also contemplates those who do not. He finds himself growing weary because of his zeal for God’s Word when God’s enemies ignore it (v 139). As he thinks of those who do not obey God’s Word, streams of tears flow from his eyes (v 136). If only they would long for God’s Word as he does (v 131).
Respond
Take a moment to pray for people you know whose unresponsiveness to God’s Word causes you distress. God did a miracle in your heart to stir a love for his instruction. Pray that he will do the same in theirs.
Deeper Bible study
Lord, open up your Word to my understanding and my heart today as I pause to reflect upon your statutes and your ways.
In the world of instant messaging, the use of the term ’unfolding’ (v 130) to describe the action of God’s Word introduces a sense of process, of taking time. If you receive a new garment in the post, you might unfold it carefully, examining it and wondering if it really is what you need. One of the worst enemies in hearing from God in the Scriptures is hurry. The writer is willing to spend time seeking God’s face, even rising before the dawn (v 147) and meditating on the promises of God through the night watches (v 148). This is no snatched scanning of Bible verses before rushing out into a busy world. Later we learn that the psalmist rejoices in God’s righteous laws seven times a day (v 164)!
If the unfolding of God’s words gives light, then we need it each day. It truly is a lamp for our feet and a light on our path (v 105). My wife was in the grip of anxiety and depression for the first thirteen years of our marriage. She was transformed and set free by the power of God’s words in the Bible, brought to life by the Spirit and applied to her heart daily through the recovery process. We went on to become missionaries in the developing world and she remains healed to this day. This is the testimony of millions and of the Word itself (v 140), that if you will trust in the revelation of God in Scripture, whatever testing times you may be going through, you will find it to be not only true, but delightful (v 143). You will, in fact, come to love it!1
Kingdoms and countries may rise and fall, but the word of our God will last for ever (v 152).
Ask God to help you plan to be more consistent and intentional about reading and ‘unfolding’ God’s Word. Make that plan ambitious, but realistic too. It will make a difference.
1 Tim Keller, My Rock, My Refuge, Hodder & Stoughton, 2015, p321
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Micah 4,5; Revelation 12
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for Bible reading promotion and distribution in schools, colleges and universities being undertaken by SU Tanzania. About 6,500 Bibles have been distributed recently.
