PURE GOLD
Opening Prayer
Lord, You are the God of tradition and innovation, the old and the new. Refresh my spirit today, I pray.
Read Psalm 119:113–128
ס Samekh
113 I hate double-minded people,
but I love your law.
114 You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.
115 Away from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commands of my God!
116 Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live;
do not let my hopes be dashed.
117 Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
I will always have regard for your decrees.
118 You reject all who stray from your decrees,
for their delusions come to nothing.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
therefore I love your statutes.
120 My flesh trembles in fear of you;
I stand in awe of your laws.
ע Ayin
121 I have done what is righteous and just;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Ensure your servant’s well-being;
do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
looking for your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your love
and teach me your decrees.
125 I am your servant; give me discernment
that I may understand your statutes.
126 It is time for you to act, Lord;
your law is being broken.
127 Because I love your commands
more than gold, more than pure gold,
128 and because I consider all your precepts right,
I hate every wrong path.
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
What are your most valuable possessions? Is God’s Word one of them?What a problem people are sometimes! People who say one thing but mean another (‘double-minded’, 113); people who try to draw you into their wrongdoing (115); deluded people whose promises will not deliver (118), and people who think they have a right to make your life a misery (121,122). In a bleak context where God’s law and values count for nothing (126), there seems to be no let-up for the psalmist.
But there is another constant in his life. He has an unshakeable love for God’s law (113), statutes (119) and commands (127). He has full confidence in the Lord’s Word coming true (114) and takes encouragement and guidance from that. If God were to look into this psalmist’s heart, he would find a deep desire to live in accordance with all the Lord has said.
The psalmist calls to the Lord to sustain him in this resolve (116,117). He is looking to the Lord to act (122,123) so that he can survive and flourish. Even amongst infuriating people.
Apply
‘Pure gold’ (127) was the psalmist’s experience of God’s Word. How can it become such a part of us that our faith is more resilient? How can you shift your perspective and value of God’s Word?
Closing prayer
Yes Lord, You are always faithful and I can be so fickle. Through all the ups and downs of my days, guide me by Your steadying hand so I will bring honor and glory to You.
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