This section starts with the fourth
Hebrew Alphabet letter “Daleth.” Here the Psalmist recognized that in himself
there were still carnal desires and affections, and was burdened. Isn’t this true
to many of us who desire to lead a life that wholly pleases the Lord too? Like
the Psalmist, we do find our natural inclination seeking to overtake some of
our activities in life. What’s wonderful for the Psalmist and for us is: we have
the Lord, His Word and His power to quicken and revive us. So while our natural
desire may want to exert its influence, we can trust in God and the transforming
power of His Word.
The Psalmist honestly told the Lord of
his inclination and was heard. He knew his inclination but he also knew that God’s
help was available through His Word. So he made known his intention and desire
to please God, and his prayer was heard. He asked to be taught God’s decrees. He
asked to be guided to walk in the right path. Not only did he want to walk in
the path of God but he also wanted to understand God’s mandate for his life. It’s
so true that we can never effectively minister and impart the wonderful workings
of God in our life until we can see clearly what He had accomplished in us.
Wearied of his struggles, the Psalmist cried
out to God for strength. He was referring to the struggle he had, bearing with
the weight of his sin. He came to the end of himself and sought the strength that
God promised through His Word. The Apostle Paul had a similar experience. We
are told in his second letter to the Corinthians that he sought the Lord to
remove a certain weakness, which he said was “a thorn in his flesh.” But the word
of the Lord to him in 2 Corinthians 12:9 was “…my grace is sufficient for them.
And My strength is made perfect in your weakness….” Isn’t it wonderful to know
that when we realize that we have no power of our own and at our wits end, God takes
over as we trust Him?
In life, we have two choices. We can
either trust the lying, scheming ways of the devil or the truth and liberating
way of the Lord. This was what the Psalmist was saying in verses 29-30. But
like him we must desire and choose the right way. We should seek God to help us
to walk discerningly; to be able to identify the devil’s lying way and be able
to discern God’s gracious ways, and make a choice to walk in them. To be able
to do this we need to lay before us the Word of God, and then choose to walk
according to what God has prescribed in them.
We are shown how important it is to
have the Word of God as the foundation in one’s life. When that foundation is
laid, then only will we be able to build a fitting life of great fabric and character.
He showed us that this only happened when he stuck to God’s testimonies. What’s
great also is this: when we stick to the witness of God’s Word, we will never be
put to shame. Hence in verse 32, we see that the Psalmist would run with God’s commandments.
He was showing us the kind of enthusiasm and energy that we too must have in
our response to God and His Word. And this we can only do so effectively with a
heart that’s open to Him. When our hearts are opened to God we will be more
receptive and more enthusiastic in our walk with Him. This portion of Psalm 119
teaches us to be honest with God and through His Word find strength to overcome
the weak resolves of our life!
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