Pray:
Lord, thank You that Your love rests on me. Thank You that You are my strength.
Read:
Psalm 119:25-48
Reflect:
Are there times when you find it hard to follow Jesus?
This psalmist is obviously a man of great faith. Like the Pharisees, he follows the law. But there the similarity with the Pharisees ends. For the psalmist, God's law is not just a set of rules and traditions. It is life-giving, and obeying it leads him to experience God's love. It also requires him to make decisions.
Here the psalmist is at a low ebb but knows exactly what will restore him. He comes humbly and honestly before God, telling him where he is now and asking for the things he needs to turn his life around (25). He makes a conscious choice to follow the way of faithfulness (30). He takes a resolute look at his circumstances, acknowledges that they could be better, and determines to do something about it.
When we are laid low, it can be hard to lift ourselves up. And of course we cannot change everything in our lives. But having a positive attitude goes a long way to help us. The psalmist shows us how laying things before God can lead to the answers. He really cries out to God. We have to have the honesty--and the courage--to do that too.
Apply:
Where do you need God to intervene? Do you believe he can? Begin to envision it, and rest in the hope of that vision.
Pray:
Lord, You walk with me in all I face. You are near and I can safely trust in You.
