And, For, But
Opening Prayer
Lord, despite all of his troubles, the psalmist still finds things to praise You for—seven times a day (164)! May I always praise You.
Read Psalm 119:153–176
153 Look on my suffering and deliver me,
for I have not forgotten your law.
154 Defend my cause and redeem me;
preserve my life according to your promise.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek out your decrees.
156 Your compassion, Lord, is great;
preserve my life according to your laws.
157 Many are the foes who persecute me,
but I have not turned from your statutes.
158 I look on the faithless with loathing,
for they do not obey your word.
159 See how I love your precepts;
preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love.
160 All your words are true;
all your righteous laws are eternal.
ש Sin and Shin
161 Rulers persecute me without cause,
but my heart trembles at your word.
162 I rejoice in your promise
like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and detest falsehood
but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous laws.
165 Great peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble.
166 I wait for your salvation, Lord,
and I follow your commands.
167 I obey your statutes,
for I love them greatly.
168 I obey your precepts and your statutes,
for all my ways are known to you.
ת Taw
169 May my cry come before you, Lord;
give me understanding according to your word.
170 May my supplication come before you;
deliver me according to your promise.
171 May my lips overflow with praise,
for you teach me your decrees.
172 May my tongue sing of your word,
for all your commands are righteous.
173 May your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, Lord,
and your law gives me delight.
175 Let me live that I may praise you,
and may your laws sustain me.
176 I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Is your devotion to God guaranteed or conditional?I have to confess to being a bit of a grammar geek. Don’t worry, I’m not going to go all technical and talk about imperatives, declaratives or the jussive mood! But what struck me as I read this passage were all the little joining words—the “ands,” “fors” and “buts” (and longer ones like “according to”).
The psalmist is reasoning with God and with himself. He’s recalling truths about God and his promises to help put his circumstances into perspective: “Deliver me for I have not forgotten your law” (153); “Preserve my life in accordance with your love” (159); “Rulers persecute me… but my heart trembles at your word” (161); “I wait for your salvation, O Lord, and I follow your commands” (166).
We are not called to a blind faith. This passage shows that we, like the psalmist, can know what God is like, what he expects of us and how he treats those who follow him.
Apply
Present your requests to God and recall his promises. Tell him your worries, but remember his power. Write out your prayer now.
Closing prayer
I praise You, God, that in the midst of trial You are with me. You keep Your promises; I trust You with my now and with my future.
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