Psalm 119:33-40
“Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared. Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!”
When most of us come to a red light we understand it means for us to stop, and a green light gives us the freedom to keep going. It seems so simple, red means stop and green means we can keep going, but many a driver seems to forget that simple rule. I was talking with my dear friend John Davis today it had been some time since our visit to Denver and I needed to know how he and his family were doing. He shared that they had gotten about 8 inches of snow and it was still coming down, and they had to get out in it today. He shared that the highways were being kept clean but not most of the side roads and that the one he was coming down had not been cleared and the light was changing from green to red and he was not able to stop safely so he ran it. Today it was raining, and I also went through a light that was bright orange, and I’m sure red before I got clear of the intersection. Both of us broke the law, both were guilty of breaking the law and though we did it for our own safety, we were guilty of being law breakers.
But that is not what the Psalmist is referring to, he wants the Lord to teach him the meaning of the law or statutes. He desires to obey Gods laws for he understands that God wants obedience more than our gifts or performance. The Psalmist is saying Lord teach me what you require and help me get the full understanding and I will be quick to do as you command.
The Psalmist understood that the world’s desire will always lead us to want what the world values, and that is stuff, not just any stuff but material things that others may not have, and power that gives us authority over others with the ability to govern or control. A great example is a two-year-old child playing with other two-year-old children or better yet the congress of the United States, is the best example I know. And I apologize to all the two-year-old children, most of them are teachable.
The Psalmist understands that the pursuit of self-gain leads to a life all about you, and that this life is not all about you, for that is chasing after the wind. But when we are in pursuit of the ways of God, it brings great gain, and peace and rest. Again, we see the word fear, many will replace that word with reverence and how that is needed for us to seek after the ways of our God. But when it comes to obeying God, I do have a fear of not understanding when the light is going to change from green to red, and often I wish the yellow warning light was longer so that I do not continually have to ask for forgiveness.
From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice
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