The Road to Freedom
Opening Prayer
Lord, Your Word serves as the very anchor of my life.
Read Psalm 119:129–152
129 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.
צ Tsadhe
137 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.
ק Qoph
145 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.
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
“Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psa. 119:105). Thank God for guiding you, shaping you and giving you insight through the Bible.
I love watching the physicist Brian Cox presenting programs about astronomy. Although he is talking about the impersonal realities of science, his language is full of wonder, and he seems quite childlike in his delight. It is almost as if the hard work of research and lecturing isn’t work at all.
The psalmist communicates the same about God’s statutes. All too often, Christians are full of “oughts” and “shoulds” in relation to the teaching of
the Bible—the “hardening of the oughteries” as a friend of mine once quipped. God knows best. If he tells you to jump, the only question is “How
high?”
God’s people should be dutifully obedient. Yet the psalmist here finds another reason for allowing his life to be shaped by God’s
teaching—because it is wonderful! In a world where so many wander in the dark, it brings light (130). In a world where so many feel confused, it brings wisdom. In a world where so many feel rudderless, it gives direction (133). In a world where so many feel trapped by destructive habits, it brings liberation. This is really good news!
If God’s Word is so wonderful, why is it that the words of Christians often are not? Even when we think we are speaking God’s words, others can
mistakenly find what we say to be oppressive and destructive. The psalmist offers a clue in distinguishing between God’s statutes, which “are always
righteous” (144) and his own understanding, which is limited and inadequate. Although God speaks with clarity, our understanding may not line up with God’s words, and we must not confuse the two. Together with the psalmist, we must ever pray for a greater understanding of and faithfulness to God’s teaching.
Apply
Which parts of the Scriptures have you neglected and need to understand better? Which parts do you find puzzling and need to ask for greater understanding?
Closing prayer
Lord, into eternity does Your Word endure. Teach me through its message to think eternal thoughts.
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