Category: “Listening to God” Devotional

Read chapter in full: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Psalms+119

Psalm 119-11 (vv161-176)

English Standard Version (ESV)

Sin and Shin – Joy in God’s Word­

161 Princes persecute me without cause,
  but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162 I rejoice at your word
  like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood,
  but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
  for your righteous rules.
165 Great peace have those who love your law;
  nothing can make them stumble.
166 I hope for your salvation, O Lord,
  and I do your commandments.
167 My soul keeps your testimonies;
  I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep your precepts and testimonies,
  for all my ways are before you.

Taw – Salvation in God’s Word­

169 Let my cry come before you, O Lord;
  give me understanding according to your word!
170 Let my plea come before you;
  deliver me according to your word.
171 My lips will pour forth praise,
  for you teach me your statutes.
172 My tongue will sing of your word,
  for all your commandments are right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me,
  for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, O Lord,
  and your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live and praise you,
  and let your rules help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
  for I do not forget your commandments.

 

Reflection

1. The psalmist wrote that powerful men, princes, were oppressing him without cause. Even though they made his life miserable, he resolved to stand in awe of God, rejoice in God’s Word, love God’s Word, praise God and to keep God’s commands.
2. In a world struggling for peace, Christians can find peace – a peace that comes from being in right relationship with Him. Like the psalmist, when we resolve ourselves to follow God regardless of the circumstances around us, we have the promise of God’s peace – an inner tranquility of spirit that defies circumstances and the ability of the human mind to create or understand.
3. Spend time re-read and meditate on v165. Where do you need God’s peace now? How does v165 help you in obtaining God’s peace in turmoil, tragedy or unexpected difficult times?
4. We’ve come to the final stanza of this psalm, vv169-176. With the conclusion of this section, the writer concludes the prayer he began in verse 17. He is still struggling with his oppression, still crying out to God. Yet, as followers of Christ, where else can we turn but to God in prayer and to his word.
5. Thank God for this psalm 119, for what it teaches us about God’s word, and about life, and the hope we have in God’s promises.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

• Subtitle of each paragraph is from http://www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/htm/OT/Psalms/Psalms.htm

Read chapter in full: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Psalms+119

Psalm 119-10 (vv145-160)

English Standard Version (ESV)

Qoph – The truth of God’s Word­

145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!
  I will keep your statutes.
146 I call to you; save me,
  that I may observe your testimonies.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
  I hope in your words.
148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,
  that I may meditate on your promise.
149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
  O Lord, according to your justice give me life.
150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
  they are far from your law.
151 But you are near, O Lord,
  and all your commandments are true.
152 Long have I known from your testimonies
  that you have founded them forever.

Resh – Love for God’s Word­

153 Look on my affliction and deliver me,
  for I do not forget your law.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me;
  give me life according to your promise!
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
  for they do not seek your statutes.
156 Great is your mercy, O Lord;
  give me life according to your rules.
157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
  but I do not swerve from your testimonies.
158 I look at the faithless with disgust,
  because they do not keep your commands.
159 Consider how I love your precepts!
  Give me life according to your steadfast love.
160 The sum of your word is truth,
  and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

 

Reflection

• “I rise before dawn” (v147). Christians throughout history have been practicing this discipline of dedicating our first word, thought, and time of each day to our God of creation.
• How would such discipline help you face the challenges and excitement of everyday life?
• The phrase “Plead my cause” in v154 is a legal term. The writer is asking God to be his advocate – essentially, he is asking God to represent him as his attorney. As followers of Christ, we have the promise of a divine attorney that represents us in God’s courtroom. His name is Jesus (ref 1 John 2:1-2).
• “All your words are true” (v160, NV). The psalmist continued the theme in v152 and affirmed again his belief that God’s Word has endured and will endure forever.
• Continue praying for the personal struggles you are facing or for someone else who is struggling. Remember, we have an advocate in heaven (1 John 2:1-2) who intercedes with God on our behalf (Romans 8:34-39).

 

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

Subtitle of each paragraph is from http://www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/htm/OT/Psalms/Psalms.htm

Read chapter in full: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Psalms+119

Psalm 119-9 (vv129-144)

English Standard Version (ESV)

Pe – The Wonder of God’s Word­

129 Your testimonies are wonderful;
  therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
  it imparts understanding to the simple.
131 I open my mouth and pant,
  because I long for your commandments.
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
  as is your way with those who love your name.
133 Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
  and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from man’s oppression,
  that I may keep your precepts.
135 Make your face shine upon your servant,
  and teach me your statutes.
136 My eyes shed streams of tears,
  because people do not keep your law.

Tsadhe – The Righteous Character of God’s Word­

137 Righteous are you, O Lord,
  and right are your rules.
138 You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness
  and in all faithfulness.
139 My zeal consumes me,
  because my foes forget your words.
140 Your promise is well tried,
  and your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised,
  yet I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is righteous forever,
  and your law is true.
143 Trouble and anguish have found me out,
  but your commandments are my delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever;
  give me understanding that I may live.

 

Reflection

1. The testimonies of the Lord are wonderful because they illuminate the understanding of the simple. The psalmist, realizing his total ignorance of God, felt a great hunger for his word as he eagerly devoured and learned from it.
2. The psalmist claimed that God’s word is so wonderful that he wanted to obey it. The Bible can illuminate our lives, show us where we are spiritually and point us in the direction we need to go and how to live.
3. If we read the Bible and keep it and let it transform our life, we will glorify God. We will be drawn to Him and He will draw near to us.
4. When we look at the people around us ignoring God and doing things against God’s will, we feel a deep pain and agony. For they are against the word of God that we treasure and the Lord that loves us all, including these rebellious people.
5. The world may look upon God’s people as “small and despised”, but when you stand on God’s promises, you are a giant.
6. Pray for your friends and relatives, those that don’t care for God’s word, and reject God’s love. God has been extending his invitation to them, directing and loving them. Pray that they will return and repent of their rebellion and receive the Lord as their Saviour and Lord, too.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

Read chapter in full: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Psalms+119

Psalm 119-8 (vv113-128)

English Standard Version (ESV)

Samekh – The Reverence God’s Word Inspires­

113 I hate the double-minded,
  but I love your law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield;
  I hope in your word.
115 Depart from me, you evildoers,
  that I may keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,
  and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
117 Hold me up, that I may be safe
  and have regard for your statutes continually!
118 You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,
  for their cunning is in vain.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,
  therefore I love your testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of you,
  and I am afraid of your judgments.

Ayin – The Vindication of Those Who Keep God’s Word­

121 I have done what is just and right;
  do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Give your servant a pledge of good;
  let not the insolent oppress me.
123 My eyes long for your salvation
  and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
  and teach me your statutes.
125 I am your servant; give me understanding,
  that I may know your testimonies!
126 It is time for the Lord to act,
  for your law has been broken.
127 Therefore I love your commandments
  above gold, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
  I hate every false way.

 

Reflection

1. We all experience pressure to take unnecessary risks, tell lies, cheat, steal, compromise our values and ethics and the list goes on and on. The psalmist dealt with it too. Even though he made it abundantly clear that he intended to live by God’s Word, but the pressure to compromise was strong. He prayed for the evildoers to depart from him and for God to uphold him. For he wanted to keep obeying God’s Word and not be put to shame (vv115-116).
2. We need to be focused and immersed in God’s word so that we may live our lives with meaning and bearing witnesses for the Lord.
3. God’s word has been given to us free – we can’t buy it nor sell it. And it’s way more valuable than gold or any other precious stones (v127). Though it’s priceless, it can nonetheless change all other values.
4. We are too easily influenced by the worldly value. We measure and compare by people’s income, or the price of an item. Pray and ask God to cleanse your inner being. And help you to see and treat all with Christ’s love.

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

• Subtitle of each paragraph is from http://www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/htm/OT/Psalms/Psalms.htm

Read chapter in full: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Psalms+119

Psalm 119-7 (vv97-112)

English Standard Version (ESV)

Mem – The Sweetness of God’s Word­

97 Oh how I love your law!
  It is my meditation all the day.
98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
  for it is ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,
  for your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the aged,
  for I keep your precepts.
101 I hold back my feet from every evil way,
  in order to keep your word.
102 I do not turn aside from your rules,
  for you have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
  sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through your precepts I get understanding;
  therefore I hate every false way.

Nun – The Illumination God’s Word Provides­

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
  and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
  to keep your righteous rules.
107 I am severely afflicted;
  give me life, O Lord, according to your word!
108 Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,
  and teach me your rules.
109 I hold my life in my hand continually,
  but I do not forget your law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me,
  but I do not stray from your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever,
  for they are the joy of my heart.
112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes
  forever, to the end.

 

Reflection

1. The psalmist loved God’s law, it gave him more wisdom than his enemies, his teachers, and the elderly sages who did not have it. It had enabled him to maintain his personal purity.
2. If God’s Word is sweeter to us than worldly wisdom (v103) and if we are steadfast in following God’s word, we can also stand strong through the ups and downs of life…and bring glory to God.
3. If you google v105, you’ll get over 200,000 hits. There is a song titled after this verse and a video of musicians performing the song. There is also a book with the verse as its title. You can even buy a plaque for your wall or desk with this verse on it. What makes this verse so special?
4. It’s the truth this verse conveys that God’s Word is our light in a dark world showing us the way home. It is easy to get lost in life. We have so many decisions to make and so many distractions. How do we find our way back? By turning to God’s Word, our lamp and our light.
5. When we stand firm in God’s word and live by it (vv106-112), the truth comes alive. We become living testimonies of the power of God’s Word to illuminate darkened lives and transform people from being lost to being on a journey with God.
6. Do you consider yourself a student of God’s Word? To follow Jesus, we need to know his ways. We learn about his character, his ways, and his expectations of his followers by reading and studying God’s Word.

 

 

Prayer & Journaling:

Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the “Spiritual Journal” book.

• Subtitle of each paragraph is from http://www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/htm/OT/Psalms/Psalms.htm