Category: “Listening to God” Devotional

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

Psalm 119-6 (vv81-96)

English Standard Version (ESV)

Kaph – The Reliability of God’s Word­

81 My soul longs for your salvation;
  I hope in your word.
82 My eyes long for your promise;
  I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
  yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84 How long must your servant endure?
  When will you judge those who persecute me?
85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
  they do not live according to your law.
86 All your commandments are sure;
  they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
87 They have almost made an end of me on earth,
  but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 In your steadfast love give me life,
  that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

Lamedh – The Permanence of God’s Word­

89 Forever, O Lord, your word
  is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
  you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand this day,
  for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
  I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
  for by them you have given me life.
94 I am yours; save me,
  for I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
  but I consider your testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,
  but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

 

Reflection

1. Ever feel like God has forgotten you? Perhaps you prayed your heart out and turned to the Bible for answers, but it seemed that God didn’t show up. This is the situation of the writer of this passage. He sank into the depths of despair.
2. His hope is still in God. He longs for the fulfillment of God’s promises. He clings to God’s Word. But, where is God? To paraphrase verses 83-84, he is praying, “God, I’m drying up. How long must I hold on? How long will it be before you help me?” Yet, in spite of severe attacks by his enemies, he had remained true to God’s ways and requested safe keeping.
3. In the second passage (vv89-96), at the point of desperation, the psalmist turns toward God in surrender and praise. He has not escaped the clutches of his despair, but he has turned toward his source of help.
4. At the depths of his despair, the psalmist was moved to proclaim the sovereignty of God that God’s Word is firmly fixed – it is settled. God’s faithfulness endures. God made everything and He is in control of everything.
5. Next time when you feel crushed down and defeated by life, turn to Psalm 119:89-96 and pray these verses to God.

 

 

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 119-5 (vv65-80)

English Standard Version (ESV)

Teth – Confidence in God’s Word­

65 You have dealt well with your servant,
  O Lord, according to your word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
  for I believe in your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
  but now I keep your word.
68 You are good and do good;
  teach me your statutes.
69 The insolent smear me with lies,
  but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
70 their heart is unfeeling like fat,
  but I delight in your law.
71 It is good for me that I was afflicted,
  that I might learn your statutes.
72 The law of your mouth is better to me
  than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Yodh – God’s Word as an Object of Hope­

73 Your hands have made and fashioned me;
  give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
  because I have hoped in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,
  and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 Let your steadfast love comfort me
  according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
  for your law is my delight.
78 Let the insolent be put to shame,
  because they have wronged me with falsehood;
  as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you turn to me,
  that they may know your testimonies.
80 May my heart be blameless in your statutes,
  that I may not be put to shame!

 

Reflection

• Sometimes we have to experience the painful consequences of bad choices in order to better understand the joy that comes with living according to God’s Word. Like a child who gets burned by touching a hot stove after repeated warnings from a parent, we too sometimes have to experience the hurt that comes from going astray (v. 67). But, even though it may take time, once we learn the lesson we can often look back on the experience and say it was good. And we learned a lesson more valuable than money (vs. 71-72).
• What are some valuable lessons you’ve learned from decisions made in the past – good and bad decisions?
• In verses 74 and 78, the writer prays that those who honor God would turn to him (the writer) and: (1) rejoice because he has put his hope in God’s Word (2) know God’s testimonies. He seems to be asking God to let others look upon him and have hope in God because God’s word is alive and active in his life. Can others see God at work in your life?
• Do you consider yourself to be a role model for others to follow?
• Ask God to help you let his words be alive and active in your life. Help you be examples for others to follow, for others to have reasons to hope in God.

 

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 119-4 (vv49-64)

English Standard Version (ESV)

Zayin – God’s Word as a Source of Hope­

49 Remember your word to your servant,
  in which you have made me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction,
  that your promise gives me life.
51 The insolent utterly deride me,
  but I do not turn away from your law.
52 When I think of your rules from of old,
  I take comfort, O Lord.
53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
  who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
  in the house of my sojourning.
55 I remember your name in the night, O Lord,
  and keep your law.
56 This blessing has fallen to me,
  that I have kept your precepts.

Heth – Strong Commitment to God’s Word­

57 The Lord is my portion;
  I promise to keep your words.
58 I entreat your favor with all my heart;
  be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 When I think on my ways,
  I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60 I hasten and do not delay
  to keep your commandments.
61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
  I do not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to praise you,
  because of your righteous rules.
63 I am a companion of all who fear you,
  of those who keep your precepts.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
  teach me your statutes!

 

 

Reflection

• What are some of the promises found in God’s Word that give you hope, bring you comfort in difficult times and/or get you excited about living?
• As a review, take a look at the promises found in these verses: Romans 10:9 (salvation), Matthew 5:3-12 (the Beatitudes), Matthew 6:33-34 (God’s provision), John 14:1-3 (Jesus’ return for us). These are just a small sampling of the many promises that are found in God’s Word.
• Thank God for his promises to you that give you hope. Most of all, thank God for his son, Jesus, through whom you have the most wonderful promise and hope of all – peace with God.
• Is it OK to ask for God’s favor on our lives (v58)? This is essentially the same question in v17. But, here in verse 58, the psalmist straight out asked for God’s favor and His grace. But, notice the phrase, “…according to your promise.”
• How quickly do you obey God’s Word? Do you take His word as advice to be considered or as commands to be obeyed? In today’s world, advice is readily available. We can shop for the advice that sounds best to us. But, if we aren’t careful, advice – even seemingly good advice – can lead us to become entrapped in cords of wickedness (vs. 61). Remember, v45 indicates that following God’s Word brings freedom. Let’s hasten to keep His commands (vs. 60).

 

 

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 119-3 (vv33-48)

English Standard Version (ESV)

He – Loyal Commitment to God’s Word­

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
  and I will keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
  and observe it with my whole heart.
35 Lead me in the path of your commandments,
  for I delight in it.
36 Incline my heart to your testimonies,
  and not to selfish gain!
37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
  and give me life in your ways.
38 Confirm to your servant your promise,
  that you may be feared.
39 Turn away the reproach that I dread,
  for your rules are good.
40 Behold, I long for your precepts;
  in your righteousness give me life!

Waw – God’s Word and Salvation­

41 Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
  your salvation according to your promise;
42 then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
  for I trust in your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
  for my hope is in your rules.
44 I will keep your law continually,
  forever and ever,
45 and I shall walk in a wide place,
  for I have sought your precepts.
46 I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
  and shall not be put to shame,
47 for I find my delight in your commandments,
  which I love.
48 I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
  and I will meditate on your statutes.

 

Reflection

• When we find ourselves seeking selfish gain, we are to stop and incline our hearts to God’s Word (vs. 36). When we find ourselves pursuing worthless things, we are to stop and pursue God’s ways instead (vs. 37). Repentance is recognizing we’re wrong, stopping what we are doing wrong and starting to do what is right in God’s eyes. How do we know what is right in God’s eyes? His Word tells us.
• As the psalmist continued to offer his prayer, he said to God, “I will keep your law…forever…” The writer then followed with “…and I shall walk in a wide place…” This statement, in verse 45, also translates, “…and I will walk about in freedom…” (The Voice). The psalmist considered keeping God’s Word as freedom. Why?
• Disobedience, going against God’s Word, is bondage. We might think that living without the word of God gives us freedom. On the contrary, disobedience binds us with guilt, regrets, consequences of bad choices, anxieties and all kinds of problems. Living in obedience to God’s word may not prevent us from ever experiencing these things, but an obedient lifestyle offers us a spiritual freedom that living disobediently cannot provide.
• Pray and ask God to take away the bondage of your past disobedience and set you free to worship and serve him with clean hearts and minds. Thank God for the freedom you have in following God and living according to God’s ways.

 

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 119-2 (vv17-32)

English Standard Version (ESV)

Gimel – An Appreciation of God’s Word­

17 Deal bountifully with your servant,
  that I may live and keep your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold
  wondrous things out of your law.
19 I am a sojourner on the earth;
  hide not your commandments from me!
20 My soul is consumed with longing
  for your rules at all times.
21 You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
  who wander from your commandments.
22 Take away from me scorn and contempt,
  for I have kept your testimonies.
23 Even though princes sit plotting against me,
  your servant will meditate on your statutes.
24 Your testimonies are my delight;
  they are my counselors.

Daleth – A Prayer for Greater Understanding­

25 My soul clings to the dust;
  give me life according to your word!
26 When I told of my ways, you answered me;
  teach me your statutes!
27 Make me understand the way of your precepts,
  and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28 My soul melts away for sorrow;
  strengthen me according to your word!
29 Put false ways far from me
  and graciously teach me your law!
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
  I set your rules before me.
31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
  let me not be put to shame!
32 I will run in the way of your commandments
  when you enlarge my heart!

 

Reflection

• Beginning with verse 17, Psalm 119 becomes a prayer. The psalmist asked God to enlighten him in order to understand God’s word for he found delight in and hunger for God’s Word.
• The psalmist asked that God would open his eyes to see “wondrous things” in God’s word. Paul prayed for Christians to have “the eyes of your hearts enlightened” (Eph 1:18).
• In v19, the psalmist described himself as a sojourner, a visitor passing through this world and asked God not to hide His commandments from him. In v20, he longed for God’s judgments – for His Word. Do you see yourself in this way, as someone passing through life who desperately needs the direction and counsel of God?
• Have you ever found yourself spiritually dry or disobedient to God’s Word? What did you do for spiritual revival? What role does God’s Word have in your spiritual revival?

 

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