THE LONG TRAIL
Opening Prayer
Thank you, Father, for the guidance you offer me in your Word. Help me to seek your will and to follow it with thanksgiving and praise.
Read PSALM 119:25–48
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
ד Daleth
25 I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.
26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.
27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws.
31 I hold fast to your statutes, Lord;
do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.
ה He
33 Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.[a]
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.[b]
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my life.
ו Waw
41 May your unfailing love come to me, Lord,
your salvation, according to your promise;
42 then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth,
for I have put my hope in your laws.
44 I will always obey your law,
for ever and ever.
45 I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.
46 I will speak of your statutes before kings
and will not be put to shame,
47 for I delight in your commands
because I love them.
48 I reach out for your commands, which I love,
that I may meditate on your decrees.
Footnotes
- Psalm 119:33 Or follow it for its reward
- Psalm 119:37 Two manuscripts of the Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls; most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text life in your way
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
Read 2 Timothy 4:7. Thank God for people you know who have ‘run well.’This remarkable psalm seems to say the same thing again and again. The psalmist wanted his life to be shaped by the will of God: to run ‘in the way of your commands’ (vv. 32, 35). But this was a long trail. We hear the same rhythmic prayer, like footsteps, but the terrain constantly changed.
In these sections, the psalmist was ‘laid low in the dust’ (v. 25). He was ‘weary with sorrow’ (v. 28). He sensed that he could be in mortal or spiritual danger and cried out, ‘…preserve my life…’ (vv. 25, 37). The challenges of the spiritual life are not constant. They change with circumstances and age. Here, the psalmist was conscious of his susceptibility to deceit and temptation (vv. 29, 36, 37).
Athletes break down their races into stages, even a 100-meter sprint that lasts only 10 seconds. Maybe we need to pay more attention to the stage of the ‘race’ or ‘walk’ of our spiritual life. Yes, we want to keep putting one foot in front of the other, seeking to be shaped by his will. But what is this particular season about? What does
faithfulness look like in this stage of my life?
Apply
‘As we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love’ (Prologue, Rule of St Benedict).
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, in my faith journey, I look to you to teach me in ways that increase my love for God and obedience to his Word. Strengthen my walk with him so that others might see him in me and want to know him.
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