Psalm 119 Devotional
22 Days: Knowing is Loving
Day 6 (Vav – verses 41-48)
May Your lovingkindnesses also come to me, O’ Lord, Your salvation according to Your word; so I will have answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word. And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I wait for Your ordinances, So I will keep Your law continually, forever and ever. And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts. I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings and shall not be ashamed. I shall delight in Your commandments, which I love. And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I love; and I will meditate on Your statutes.
Lovingkindness is not a word that we use much, and it is doubtful that we see it written anywhere but in the Bible. Compound that with the plural form we find here in Psalm 119, it truly is something we do not see. What about our comprehension of the word? We find our psalmist confidently placing his request before God for more of it. The psalmist here is laying out the actions of God, in how He loves, so that we can be strengthened when we find a world that is not so kind in its ways towards us. It comes down to a simple question that we need to be able to answer. Where is the foundation of our trust? May it always be in God’s word.
God would never take His truth out of our mouth, yet so often we may find ourselves acting as though it is not in us. Waiting on God for greater knowledge of who He is, and His ordinances will strengthen us as we walk the way in this world and seek to not be of the world, but rather of His Kingdom. The more that we grow in the law and abide in the law the more that we will find ourselves operating in freedom. Paul often wrote of this freedom, as it comes from our being “in-Christ,” (Galatians 5:1). Even as we look back at yesterday’s devotion, we can as we study the precepts of God look to always follow them. Not ever to earn a spot in heaven, but to know more of God and to know more of the freedom that we have in Him. God’s word is freedom for us, what a great way to invest our time and energy!
Speaking the truth of God before a world that is often times not ready to, not willing to, or just simply not sure of God’s word can be challenging. Can we set our minds and heart to do it, to speak it openly and freely. Can we do it with a lovingkindness that only comes from our Lord? It may become easier as we delight, love, and obey all of what God has set before us in His word. To speak out and obey God’s word, we must be in God’s word. Let us read, take in, and meditate on God’s word.
Lord God in heaven, You have given me the revelation of who You are in Your Word. Lord sometimes I struggle to find time to spend in Your word, but I ask for Your grace and discipline to strengthen me in the pursuit of You through Your word. Even as I pray this now Lord, I ask that You open my heart to the areas that consume my time, that keep me from You and Your word. Lord I truly desire to know more and more of You each day. I love You my Lord and my God.