Christian Photographers Community

Psalm 119 - Nun

By the time our Hebrew student arrives at this stanza he's had a good amount of experience in dependence upon God and obedience to His Word. He's learned how its truths apply in difficult times and in easy times, and he's always found it to be good and entirely faithful.  That's why he can say, "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." 

And He's also determined to continue living in dependence upon it: "I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments."  He's lived a bit by God's Word, and now he intends to continue living by it

In the words of this stanza, then, he makes clear three responses to God's call to a life of relationship to Him according to the Word. He first responds with prayer relative to the hard times - "Revive me, O Lord, according to Your Word." Secondly, he responds with praise - "Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord." Finally, he responds with prayer for more of the Lord's teaching - "and teach me Your judgments."

A life like that isn't always easy, and he's had to depend on God's Word even when there's a powerful temptation to try to go his own way.  He says, "My life is continually in my hand, yet I do not forget Your law."  In other words, he hasn't lived in a church pew all day every day – rather he's had to be out where the going's tough, where it would be so easy to start trying to solve problems the way others solve them - by means of native intelligence.  Instead, he's at least made the attempt to solve his problems according to the Bible's wisdom!  That takes research, meditation, and application - and prayer.

Even when "the wicked" have tried to trap him, tried to show him that he can't really live that way - even then, he says, "I have not strayed from Your precepts." "Instead, he says," "Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart.  I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the very end!"

It's in this context of living upon the very Word of God, "as the only rule of faith and conduct" that he prays for help from the only reliable Source.  He says to the Lord, "O Lord, help me when it's tough to live this way.  Accept my praise when You do help me.  And keep on teaching me, Lord!"

How about you?  Have you determined to live - today - according to the principles of God's Word in all circumstances?  Will you be searching His Word so much and so carefully that you'll know how it applies to each situation?  And are you depending upon the Lord of the Word in prayer concerning such a life?  Oh may God's holy Word be our practical, daily guide - in everything!