Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet,

 

 Psalm 119:81-88

 

October 24, 2022

 

Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet

Kaph

My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.  My eyes long for your promise; I ask, “When will you comfort me?”  For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes.  How long must your servant endure?  When will you judge those who persecute me? The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law.  All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me!  They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.  In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

 

 

Definition of Kaph: The first definition comes from a root Hebrew word, kafah, and it means bent or bowing down. Bowing down displays submission and humility.  (taken from the internet)

 

It could be said, that in his great need, his soul is longing for God.  He has put his faith in God and His Word, but as my pastor said this Sunday, God’s time is always on time, but often it does not feel that way.  As you explore the Scriptures with the intent of obeying them and applying them to your life, it becomes clear there is not one thing new under the sun.  Mankind has always been a mess, wanting to run the show, be in control, and do as they pleased.

 

But not the Psalmist, he is ”Kaph” who has open hands waiting for God to meet his needs, yes he is bowed down to God’s will and timing, with a question, “When will you comfort me?”   I identified with that as I lay in that hospital bed for the last 41 days, I often said late in the night, “Lord, I don’t know what to do?”  But now it is clear, I was saying “When will you comfort me?”   When will these long sleepless nights be over, when will I be back in my bed at home, when will I be well.?  And it was often very quiet on God's reply, so I looked to His Word and put my trust in my Lord.

 

We find the Psalmist in what we might call depression, and compare his situation to a wineskin in the smoke.   For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes.  How long must your servant endure?  When will you judge those who persecute me?  It is clear the wineskin was made into a bottle, for wine, for water, and yet when put into the smoke it became hard, blackened, and often cracked, and is no longer of value.  We have no understanding if these are men, he once trusted, or just evil men who want to take his place, but it brings the Psalmist to seek the only one that He knew was faithful and true, God’s Word.

 

If you are a truth seeker and looking to God and His Word, you will often stand alone, in the wicked and deprived culture we find ourselves.  But, remember whose you are, and that He is trustworthy, and has bought you and paid a great price.  The Psalmist ends these eight verses in this manner; In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

 

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice