Psalm 119 - He
Hopefully, the student has by this time already learned more than many present-day Christians learn in a lifetime! But he still has much more to learn! One of the precious things he's already learned is to delight in God's Word. He expresses that new and growing delight in the stanza before us.
He really has a hopeful attitude about keeping God's Word to the end. He says, "Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it!" Having walked a little way with Jehovah, he's begun to be like his coming Messiah, Who has "loved righteousness and hated lawlessness!" (Heb. 11:9)
But even with all this new-found love of righteousness, the student also continues to discover that his inward corruption isn't gone yet. He has to pray, "Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way." Like all of God's people, he has found in his heart certain continuing, deeply ingrained sinful habits. He needs constant revival.
But, praise God for the learning! At least he knows how dangerous those inward corruptions are. He's moved to pray, "Establish Your Word to Your servant, who is devoted to fearing You. Turn away my reproach which I dread, for Your judgements are good." Paraphrased, he's saying, "Make Your Word like a concrete wall to protect me, Lord, because I want to be devoted to You and to constant reverence and awe in Your Presence. Keep me from these sins that seem to rise up to bite me! I fear them! They're always tending to drag me under, and I want so much to be dedicated only to the things that please You - to Your Word."
He sums it all up in a final, pleading petition, when he says, "Behold, I long for Your precepts; revive me in Your righteousness!" He's just saying, "Lord, if You don't keep reviving me, I'll succumb to these clinging sinful tendencies! Revive me, Lord, as often as I waver!"
How about you? Are you this student? Have you walked with your Lord a little way? Have you discovered, during that walk, that you have an absolutely amazing tendency to try to slip away from the God you love? What you've discovered, then, is that you're helpless, that salvation is entirely by grace, never by your works, and that you'll be needing your Savior right to the end!
Yes Pastor.
I need Jesus right to the end. If I keep my eyes upon Jesus My end will be better than my beginning (like Job).
"I need Thee, oh I need Thee, every hour I need Thee, Oh help me now My Saviour I come to Thee" came to mind as I read your words this morning dear brother.
Jenny. :)
Jenny - that's one of my favorite hymns - because I do need Him every hour!
Dear Pastor,
Please say a little prayer for me this extreme cold spell is affecting me quite badly....I need Him and I do keep praising Him. He inhabits our praises.
Hope the chest is better brother.
Blessings.
Jenny X