Post by James Blankenship on Apr 21, 2012 14:06:30 GMT -5
Continuing on with Psalm 119
"I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to Your word. I recounted my ways, & you answered me: teach me Your decrees. Let me understand the teachings of Your precepts, then I will meditate on Your wonders. My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your word. Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through Your Law. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on Your laws. I hold fast to Your statutes, 0 Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free."
I AM LAID LOW IN THE DUST
Here is an honest look at how humans are before God. He is the creator of the Universe! How can ANYTHING stand before Him!!! I am reminded about another Psalm. Psalm 8:3-4-"When I consider Your heavens, the moon & the stars, which You have ordained; "WHAT IS MAN THAT YOU TAKE THOUGHT OF HIM •.... " Here is how we compare to an Almighty God! Also notice the word-dust. Remember Genesis 3: 19? "••••••FOR YOU ARE DUST, & TO DUST YOU SHALL RETURN. "
PRESERVE MY LIFE ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD.
Again, we are reminded of the sheer majesty of God! We echo the words of the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 6:5-"WOE IS ME, FOR I AM RUINED! FOR I AM A MAN OF UNCLEAN LIPS, & I LIVE AMONG A PEOPLE OF UNCLEAN LIPS, FOR MY EYES HAVE SEEN THE KING, THE LORD OF HOSTS. "
1 HAVE TOLD OF MY WAYS, & YOU ANSWERED ME
This to me is speaking of confession, being completely honest before God. And for us, when we confess our sins to Him-HE ANSWERS US! II Chronicles 7:14-"If My people, who are called be My name, will humble themselves and pray, & seek My face, & turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, & will forgive their sin, & will heal their lands. "
LET ME UNDERSTAND THE TEACHINGS OF YOUR PRECEPTS, THAT I MAY MEDITATE ON YOUR WONDERS.
Precepts are God's directions, as established by the Lord. (In this case, the teachings of Jesus, since we are under the New Covenant!) In regard to our understanding what God wants to teach us, & what God wants us to know-James 1:5-"But if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously & without reproach, & it will be given to him. "
In regard to meditation, there are several possibilities:
1. Take time to read a verse or passage over & over.
2. Begin to memorize part or all of it. Psalm 119:11
3. Listen!!!! Psalm 40:1 Psalm 46:10
4. Consider how what you are reading fits into the context of the rest of the Bible.
5. Become emotionally involved with what you are reading!
6. Apply what you have read, to Your particular situation, in life, or in general! Recognize the truth & power of God's Word!
MY SOUL IS CRUSHED WITH LONGING AFTER YOUR ORDINANCES AT ALL TIMES
I have chosen to use this verse out of the NASB, instead of the NIV, because I feel it shows much better, how much we should seek the Knowledge of God-with longing, with the greatest desire! Psalm 42: 1 says "As a deer pants for water brooks. so mv soul pants for You, 0 God. " This is how our desire for both the Lord & His Word should be!
REMOVE THE FALSE WAY FROM ME. & GRACIOUSLY GRANT ME YOUR LAW
Again, I choose to use the NASB here. Look at the lesson
that the prophet Isaiah learned about God! (Isaiah 58:11) "...And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones, and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. " I am also seeing Psalm 23:2 here as well! I also see Luke 11:9 here! "So I say to you, ask, & it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, & it will be opened to you. "
I HAVE CHOSEN THE WAY OF TRUTH. I HAVE SET MY HEART ON YOUR LAWS.
What is the truth for us who know Jesus Christ as our Lord & Savior, who have been born again? John 14:6-'1 AM THE WAY,AND THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE; NO MAN COMES TO THE FATHER. BUT THROUGH ME." When we choose Jesus, are His laws, really so hard to follow?
1 HOLD FAST TO YOUR STATUTES. 0 LORD: DO NOT LET ME BE PUT TO SHAME.
I see 2 verses here-Matthew 5:11-12 "Blessed are you when people insult & persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you, because of Me." I am also reminded of Philippians 4:8-9, in regard to being able to hold fast to God's truths-"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence & if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things that you have learned & received & heard & seen in me, practice these things, & the God of peace will be with you. "
I RUN IN THE PATHS OF YOUR COMMANDS, FOR YOU HAVE SET MY HEART FREE.
John 8:36-'SO IF THE SON MAKES YOU FREE, YOU WILL BE FREE INDEED! Can I say any more, than is said in this last verse? I think not! This verse sums up the whole joy that we find in both Jesus Christ & His Word! All Glory, Praise & Honor, to our Wonderful Lord!
Lord Jesus, You & You alone are the God above ALL gods! You are the Lord above ALL lords! You, & You alone are worthy of all praise, honor, & glory, Lord Jesus! We sing Your Name from the highest mountains, Lord Jesus! We sing to the Lord God almighty, Maker of Heaven & earth! All glory, & praise & thanksgiving do we give to You alone, Lord Jesus for all that You mean to us! We give You all thanksgiving for what Your wonderful Word has taught us today, Lord Jesus! We praise You name forever & ever, Lord Jesus, for You & You alone are worthy! We give thanks for all that You have given us! We praise You alone, Lord Jesus! We bless You! We glorify Your name Forever & Ever! In Your Name, do we offer everything that we are to You alone, Lord Jesus! Amen!!!"
James
"I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to Your word. I recounted my ways, & you answered me: teach me Your decrees. Let me understand the teachings of Your precepts, then I will meditate on Your wonders. My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your word. Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through Your Law. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on Your laws. I hold fast to Your statutes, 0 Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free."
I AM LAID LOW IN THE DUST
Here is an honest look at how humans are before God. He is the creator of the Universe! How can ANYTHING stand before Him!!! I am reminded about another Psalm. Psalm 8:3-4-"When I consider Your heavens, the moon & the stars, which You have ordained; "WHAT IS MAN THAT YOU TAKE THOUGHT OF HIM •.... " Here is how we compare to an Almighty God! Also notice the word-dust. Remember Genesis 3: 19? "••••••FOR YOU ARE DUST, & TO DUST YOU SHALL RETURN. "
PRESERVE MY LIFE ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD.
Again, we are reminded of the sheer majesty of God! We echo the words of the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 6:5-"WOE IS ME, FOR I AM RUINED! FOR I AM A MAN OF UNCLEAN LIPS, & I LIVE AMONG A PEOPLE OF UNCLEAN LIPS, FOR MY EYES HAVE SEEN THE KING, THE LORD OF HOSTS. "
1 HAVE TOLD OF MY WAYS, & YOU ANSWERED ME
This to me is speaking of confession, being completely honest before God. And for us, when we confess our sins to Him-HE ANSWERS US! II Chronicles 7:14-"If My people, who are called be My name, will humble themselves and pray, & seek My face, & turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, & will forgive their sin, & will heal their lands. "
LET ME UNDERSTAND THE TEACHINGS OF YOUR PRECEPTS, THAT I MAY MEDITATE ON YOUR WONDERS.
Precepts are God's directions, as established by the Lord. (In this case, the teachings of Jesus, since we are under the New Covenant!) In regard to our understanding what God wants to teach us, & what God wants us to know-James 1:5-"But if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously & without reproach, & it will be given to him. "
In regard to meditation, there are several possibilities:
1. Take time to read a verse or passage over & over.
2. Begin to memorize part or all of it. Psalm 119:11
3. Listen!!!! Psalm 40:1 Psalm 46:10
4. Consider how what you are reading fits into the context of the rest of the Bible.
5. Become emotionally involved with what you are reading!
6. Apply what you have read, to Your particular situation, in life, or in general! Recognize the truth & power of God's Word!
MY SOUL IS CRUSHED WITH LONGING AFTER YOUR ORDINANCES AT ALL TIMES
I have chosen to use this verse out of the NASB, instead of the NIV, because I feel it shows much better, how much we should seek the Knowledge of God-with longing, with the greatest desire! Psalm 42: 1 says "As a deer pants for water brooks. so mv soul pants for You, 0 God. " This is how our desire for both the Lord & His Word should be!
REMOVE THE FALSE WAY FROM ME. & GRACIOUSLY GRANT ME YOUR LAW
Again, I choose to use the NASB here. Look at the lesson
that the prophet Isaiah learned about God! (Isaiah 58:11) "...And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones, and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. " I am also seeing Psalm 23:2 here as well! I also see Luke 11:9 here! "So I say to you, ask, & it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, & it will be opened to you. "
I HAVE CHOSEN THE WAY OF TRUTH. I HAVE SET MY HEART ON YOUR LAWS.
What is the truth for us who know Jesus Christ as our Lord & Savior, who have been born again? John 14:6-'1 AM THE WAY,AND THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE; NO MAN COMES TO THE FATHER. BUT THROUGH ME." When we choose Jesus, are His laws, really so hard to follow?
1 HOLD FAST TO YOUR STATUTES. 0 LORD: DO NOT LET ME BE PUT TO SHAME.
I see 2 verses here-Matthew 5:11-12 "Blessed are you when people insult & persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you, because of Me." I am also reminded of Philippians 4:8-9, in regard to being able to hold fast to God's truths-"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence & if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things that you have learned & received & heard & seen in me, practice these things, & the God of peace will be with you. "
I RUN IN THE PATHS OF YOUR COMMANDS, FOR YOU HAVE SET MY HEART FREE.
John 8:36-'SO IF THE SON MAKES YOU FREE, YOU WILL BE FREE INDEED! Can I say any more, than is said in this last verse? I think not! This verse sums up the whole joy that we find in both Jesus Christ & His Word! All Glory, Praise & Honor, to our Wonderful Lord!
Lord Jesus, You & You alone are the God above ALL gods! You are the Lord above ALL lords! You, & You alone are worthy of all praise, honor, & glory, Lord Jesus! We sing Your Name from the highest mountains, Lord Jesus! We sing to the Lord God almighty, Maker of Heaven & earth! All glory, & praise & thanksgiving do we give to You alone, Lord Jesus for all that You mean to us! We give You all thanksgiving for what Your wonderful Word has taught us today, Lord Jesus! We praise You name forever & ever, Lord Jesus, for You & You alone are worthy! We give thanks for all that You have given us! We praise You alone, Lord Jesus! We bless You! We glorify Your name Forever & Ever! In Your Name, do we offer everything that we are to You alone, Lord Jesus! Amen!!!"
James
