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!
Psalm 119:33-40
Having been drawn to learn and drink more deeply of the Levitical law and sacrificial system - that which Christ came not to abolish, but to fulfill - that I may better know the heart of my Maker and Redeemer, I have likewise been drawn to Psalm 119 and its absolute beauty even as it speaks to my own heart. I think of Christ's words from the Mount, though the audience heard him speaking of physical food, yet there is more: Our dear Father always knows which crust of bread or piece of meat to nourish that which must grown and to starve that which must die - and He knows what we need before we ask for it. If we, being evil, wouldn't give a stone to a child who asks for a fish, how much more will our Father, who is perfect, give to us that which is good? Once again His word is proven true for this child, for these few verses, and Matthew Henry's beauty of a commentary on these few verses, goes directly to everything that I have lately struggled with and against:
Teach me thy statutes, not the mere words, but the way of applying them to myself. God, by his Spirit, gives a right understanding. But the Spirit of revelation in the word will not suffice, unless we have the Spirit of wisdom in the heart. God puts his Spirit within us, causing us to walk in his statutes. The sin here prayed against is covetousness. Those that would have the love of God rooted in them, must get the love of the world rooted out; for the friendship of the world is enmity with God. Quicken me in thy way; to redeem time, and to do every duty with liveliness of spirit. Beholding vanity deadens us, and slackens our pace; a traveller must not stand gazing upon every object that presents itself to his view. The promises of God's word greatly relate to the preservation of the true believer. When Satan has drawn a child of God into worldly compliances, he will reproach him with the falls into which he led him. Victory must come from the cross of Christ. When we enjoy the sweetness of God's precepts, it will make us long for more acquaintance with them. And where God has wrought to will, he will work to do.
And I will glory in my Redeemer, the Word made flesh. Praise be His name.




