July 7 - Psalm 119:1-88: The Map of Your Word

When I was in my early twenties, I really struggled with the meaning of success. What exactly was a successful life? How would I know that I had led one?

What I concluded was I would consider my life a success if, when I was old, I could look back on my life and have no regrets. The only problem was that I had no idea what that kind of life looked like, and that really bothered me. There were too many options, and because I didn't know Christ, I had no clue how to decide which one would lead me to where I wanted to go. It felt like I was adrift in a very large ocean, and I know now that I was.

I think that's why Psalm 119 speaks to me. It lays out the path of life, how to stay the course for a lifetime, how to live free of regrets. It doesn't promise an easy life; there will be troubles and testing. (119:71, 75) But I'm inspired by the psalmist's single-minded and passionate pursuit of God, particularly through the map of His Word.

As I pondered this prayer, I realized that I can learn a lot, both from what the psalmist commits to do for himself and from what he's boldly asking God to do for him. Can I honestly say these are true of me?

What the psalmist is doing/has done:

I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart (119:11)

I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you (119:15)

I relish everything you've told me of life, I won't forget a word of it (119:16)

My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous! - insatiable for your nourishing commands (119:20)

I'll run the course you lay out for me (119:2)

I trusted your Word (119:42)

Your commandments are what I depend on (119:43)

I look for your truth and wisdom (119:46)

I cherish your commandments - oh, how I love them! - relishing every fragment of your counsel (119:48)

I hang on to these words for dear life! (119:49)

Yes, your promises rejuvenate me (119:50)

I watch for your ancient landmark words (119:52)

I meditate on your name all night, God, treasuring your revelation, O God (119:55)

I live by your Word and counsel (119:56)

I promise to do everything you say (119:57)

Not for a minute did I forget your plan for me (119:61)

I get up in the middle of the night to thank you (119:62)

I'm thoroughly committed to living your way (119:66)

I'm in step with your Word (119:67)

I focus my attention on what you are saying (119:69)

I kept my mind on your counsel (119:78)

I'm waiting for your word of hope (119:81)

I keep a steady gaze on the instructions you post (119:83)

I haven't relaxed my grip on your counsel (119:87)

What the psalmist is asking of God:

Train me in your ways of wise living (119:12)

Be generous with me (119:17)

Give me clear directions (119:19)

Train me well in your deep wisdom (119:26)

Build me up again by your Word (119:28)

Grace me with your clear revelation (119:29)

Teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course (119:33)

Give me insight so I can do what you tell me (119:34)

Guide me down the road of your commandments (119:35)

Give me a bent for your words of wisdom (119:36)

Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets (119:37)

Affirm your promises to me (119:38)

Deflect the harsh words of my critics (119:39)

Don't ever deprive me of truth, not ever (119:43)

Train me to live by your counsel (119:64)

Train me in good common sense (119:66)

Train me in your goodness (119:68)

In your great love revive me so I can alertly obey your every word (119:88)

Much about this psalm challenges and intrigues me, both for myself and in raising my children. God's Word should rightfully be the bedrock of my life, and I need to plant the Word deeply into my daughters' hearts. Also, I'm realizing that I don't use words like cherish, treasure, insatiable, ravenous, and relish when I think or talk about God's Word. Have I missed something in my relationship with God, or am I just wired differently? I really don't know.

The words of this psalm - and the psalmist's passionate heart - challenge me to pray more boldly and passionately -  to commit myself more fully to the Lord and to unashamedly ask Him for what I need.