Psalm 119 Devotional
22 Days: Knowing is Loving
Day 1 (Aleph – verses 1-8)
How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart. They also do no unrighteousness; They walk in His ways. You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently. Oh that my ways may be established to keep Your statutes! Then I shall not be ashamed when I look upon all Your commandments. I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, when I learn Your righteous judgments. I shall keep Your statutes; Do not forsake me utterly!
As we begin seeking the Lord in our 22-days in Psalm 119, what is our first thought? Do we notice that the psalmist “runs the table” so to speak as he lists the words used in describing the Law of God? The list built by the writer contains the words, “law,” “testimonies,” “precepts,” “statutes,” “commandments,” and “judgments.” The list may be overwhelming in a way. Maybe we even look at it as a list of impossibilities and consider that the Lord is a rule maker, and the hope for us in following the list is grim.
But as we begin to read these first eight verses what if we focus on the two words, “How blessed?” As we attempt to move toward knowledge of God’s law, we then see happiness as the psalmist writes. The blessing comes as we walk in the Lord’s law and seek the Lord’s testimonies. Our eyes can then begin to open to a greater knowledge of the Lord.
What is God saying about His statutes? It is a simple answer, His plan is that we keep His precepts in a diligent fashion. Oh, the challenge of doing that is big, but the reward is far bigger. The psalmist presents to us that in pursuing God and seeking to be obedient, then our ways can be established, our hearts can be made upright, and we can begin to keep His statutes while the Lord is with us.
As we start the first of our 22-days in this devotion it seems that we have a mighty road to follow. Like the psalmist it seems near impossible, but like the psalmist, we have trust in the Lord. We are in-Christ, and as Paul writes in Romans 8:1-2, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.” God knows the road for us will require endurance and He has provided a way for us to reach the end of the road.
Thank you Lord for Your commandments, for Your law, for Your precepts. They are perfect and I am not. But You have provided for me all that I need, and I am in Christ. I will pursue You Lord; I am seeking the blessing that is found in knowing You.