Good morning,
The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.
The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
Psalm 119:57-64 Immediate Obedience with Genuine Commitment
“Thou art my portion, O Lord: I have said that I would keep thy words.
58 I intreated thy favor with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.”
The Psalmist uses words like “haste’ and “delayed not” in reference to the speed in which he desired to keep God’s word. Immediate obedience to God’s word is paramount to him. His obedience is directly related to his relationship to God.
Then he shows his commitment to God. He acknowledges God as “my portion”. He asks the Lord for His favor, turns to God’s word, gives thanks at midnight, and is obedient to God’s word.
In the beginning of this passage, the Psalmist asks for mercy and at the end he acknowledges that the whole earth is full of His mercy.
Then, humbly, asks God to teach him.
That should be the pattern for our lives. Immediate obedience, seeking God’s favor, word, and mercy. Being thankful for God’s word. Having a desire for God to teach us His word.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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