Cherish God's Word
Opening Prayer
Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to all who love You. Help me to live according to Your Word.
Read Psalm 119:129-152
[129]פ Pe Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. [130] The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. [131] I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. [132] Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. [133] Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. [134] Redeem me from human oppression, that I may obey your precepts. [135] Make your face shine on your servant and teach me your decrees. [136] Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed. [137]צ Tsadhe You are righteous, LORD, and your laws are right. [138] The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy. [139] My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words. [140] Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. [141] Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts. [142] Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true. [143] Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight. [144] Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live. [145]ק Qoph I call with all my heart; answer me, LORD, and I will obey your decrees. [146] I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes. [147] I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. [148] My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. [149] Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life, LORD, according to your laws. [150] Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law. [151] Yet you are near, LORD, and all your commands are true. [152] Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Which verse stands out to you in this passage?The “Wisdom books” (Job, Psalms and Proverbs, though some scholars include Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs in the list as well) seek to answer the existential questions of life. If Job deals with how to suffer, it would seem that Psalms deals with how to pray and/or worship. Suffering and prayer aren’t, of course, unrelated questions. So it’s no surprise that in this passage we have some answers about how to keep in contact with God in the midst of suffering.These three stanzas, which reflect on the wonders of God’s Word and a longing to live closely by it, also describe how studying God’s Word helps someone in distress. God’s Word brings understanding (130), delight (143) and hope (147). In the midst of a world falling apart, God’s Word is trustworthy (138), thoroughly tested (140), true (142,151), always right (144) and will last forever (152). In the midst of a world of suffering, one way to stay connected to God is to find comfort in and to draw comfort from God’s Word.
Apply
Write out a verse that encourages you. Put it somewhere visible and refer to it throughout your week.
Closing prayer
Jesus, I know that You hear me, and You are ready to respond to the cry of my heart as I seek You in truth.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.