Psalm 119:17-20
(17) Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may
live, and keep thy word.
Why
do we want God to deal bountifully with us? Honestly? We like to live a
successful life; we like to be at ease, in comfort. But why? So we can live how
we want to.
But
what is the Psalmist's motive for asking for God's bountiful dealings? To the
end that he could live to keep God's Word.
It
is interesting to compare this with a couple Proverbs:
"He taught me also, and
said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live." (Proverbs 4:4)
"Keep my commandments,
and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye." (Proverbs 7:2)
When
we keep God's law, we will find that life is more abundant for living. Also,
keeping God's law protects our lives.
(18) Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of thy law.
Before
any person can behold wondrous things from God's law, their eyes must be
opened. "But the natural man
receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto
him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
(1 Corinthians 2:14)
Once
our eyes are opened, we still can pray for God to reveal His Word to us, that
we can learn as we read.
(18) Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of thy law.
(19) I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy
commandments from me.
As
strangers and pilgrims in this earth, we need God's commandments to guide us.
God's Word is our instruction book to reach His home, are we using it? If we
but seek Him, He will guide us.
(20) My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath
unto thy judgments at all times.
What
do we long (desire) for? Do we long for God's judgments so much that our soul
breaks (crush, dissolve) for it? How do we treat God's judgments? Do we long
for it? Do we desire it? If so, then that should show in our life, our
behavior. How often do we turn to God's Word? Only on Sundays? Once a day? That
does not reflect someone who truly desires
God's Word. Oh, may the Lord increase my desire for His Word that I desire it
more and more!
Thanks for sharing your study on Psalm 119! This goes so well with what Pastor Young was saying last night about prayer. So often we (I!) want what God can DO for me instead of actually wanting Him or His word! I wonder how things would be different in my life if my only motive was to enjoy God and keep His word?
ReplyDelete~Kenzi
@ Kenzi,
ReplyDeleteIt's always neat to see how God pulls things together with sermons, Bible studies, etc. :)
Thanks for commenting!
Amanda
"Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you." Proverbs 1:23