Love Poem to God
Opening Prayer
Father, Your Word is light. Thank You that You breathe life through Your Word.
Read Psalm 119:1-24
[1] א Aleph Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. [2] Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart- [3] they do no wrong but follow his ways. [4] You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. [5] Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! [6] Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. [7] I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. [8] I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me. [9]ב Beth How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. [10] I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. [11] I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. [12] Praise be to you, LORD; teach me your decrees. [13] With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. [14] I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. [15] I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. [16] I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. [17]ג Gimel Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey your word. [18] Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. [19] I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me. [20] My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times. [21] You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed, those who stray from your commands. [22] Remove from me their scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes. [23] Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees. [24] Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors. 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
What verse most stands out to you in this reading?Poets have often set themselves demanding tasks, such as writing sonnets, in order to express their love and devotion to their beloved. Psalm 119 is like that. It is an acrostic poem, each section taking one letter of the Hebrew alphabet as the first letter of every line. So these three sections are the ABC an extended love poem to God.But it is clear that the writer is not offering fancy phrases to God. Rather, he wants to offer a life fully focused on God’s Word and obedience to it. The Word of God is his best hope of living the kind of life he desperately longs for, a life that pleases God (9,10). Every opportunity to hear from God and to respond obediently is seen as a life-giving privilege (17-20). My wife leaves me “to do” lists. I used to resent them, sometimes deliberately ignore them, or extract credit for performing the tasks. Then one day I realized that she was presenting me with easy ways of showing her that I love her. This psalm has the same attitude to the commands of God. They are not a burden but a welcome invitation.
Apply
Is there something you can do to express your love and devotion to the Lover of your soul? Ask him for insight.
Closing prayer
Lord, I desire to live according to Your Word. I am Yours and I thank You that You have spoken through Your Word.
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