21 Days of Prayer in Psalm 119 (Day #22)

Read Psalm 119:169-176

“Seek”

I didn’t want to leave the last stanza of Psalm 119 out. Even though it has been a long-haul journaling and posting each day on each successive stanza over the last three weeks, it has been a sweet time as well. So here is Day #22, an encore!

Today, in church, we read this final stanza together and thought about prayer as modeled by the psalmist. He begins with a prayer to be heard in verses 169-170,

Let my cry come before you, O Lord;
    give me understanding according to your word!

Let my plea come before you;
    deliver me according to your word.

He is concerned with the need for the Lord to hear his pray, be it cry or plea. Isn’t that what we want as well—to be heard? Secondly, beyond being hear the psalmist is seeking understanding and deliverance.

Understanding is what we so often need when we consider our circumstances or those of others and we just don’t get it. Things just aren’t working out how we expected and as they should (in our opinion). It is in times like this that we wish God would speak order, clarity, and purpose into the world. The psalmist recognizes that this kind of understanding is found in the Bible. Have you ever had one of those moments when as you read you know a passage was revealed to you in a way that answers your cry for understanding? I have, and I cherish those moments.

In asking for understanding he is asking for the Lord to do something in him through the Scriptures. In deliverance, he is asking the Lord to do something for him—likely a physical deliverance from the ongoing and acute threat of his enemies. It is in God’s word that we find not only his promises (and conditions) regarding deliverance but the revealed character of God with which such deliverance must accord.

These requests move me, as does the psalmist’s commitment to the law/ precepts/ statues of the Lord as an assurance that his prayer would be heard and that the Lord would do something about his circumstances. However, despite his repeated commitment to delight in God’s word and to be helped by it, he confesses his own wanderings, for he ends the longest psalm in the Bible with verse 176

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
    for I do not forget your commandments.

This is a prayer of confession (“have gone astray”) and repentance (“seek”)

The reason he is praying this way is because of his trust in God’s revelation (“I do not forget”). I am reminded of the old gospel hymn, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing written in 1757 by Robert Robinson that so poignantly describes our tendency to wander like a lost sheep. I quote verses 1, 3, and 4.

1. Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.

3. Jesus sought me when a stranger,

The Good Shepherd,
painted by Richard Hook

Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood;
How His kindness yet pursues me
Mortal tongue can never tell,
Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me
I cannot proclaim it well.

4. O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

When Jesus suffered and died on the cross some 2000 years ago, it was for our wanderings. Isaiah 53:6, in the midst of a larger section describing the suffering Messiah, says,

All we like sheep have gone astray;

    we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him

    the iniquity of us all.

And Jesus, in Luke 15, facing criticism from the Pharisees and teachers because he spoke to sinners, tells the parable of the Lost Sheep,

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Can we end this study of Psalm 119 the same way, willing to confess our wandering and ask Jesus our Good Shepherd, to seek us out and deliver us? We too are wanderers who need to turn back to the Lord in relational repentance and bring as many with us as possible.

Dear Lord Jesus, seek your servants and turn our hearts back towards you. Help us to see your beauty and steadfast love and may we be filled with awe and wonder at your deliverance! Fill our hearts with praise so that it spills out in our speech and songs day by day. May we share your love with others and may we rejoice with heaven over each sinner that repents! Thank you for a marvelous contemplation on your word!

21 Days of Prayer in Psalm 119 (Day #21)

Read Psalm 119:161-168

“Spoil”

On this last day of our 21 Days of Prayer + fasting, I ask the question why we are finishing one section short of the end of the Psalm? Perhaps we will finish this tomorrow in church!

Despite our country being in the midst of a time of political division, despite destructive protesters, I do not personally feel persecuted. However, in some contexts that feeling would change, depending on who surrounded me. However, in many countries, Christians have been able to say this first line from verse 161 with the psalmist,

Princes persecute me without cause,
    but my heart stands in awe of your words.

I rejoice at your word
    like one who finds great spoil.

Many times “princes” have felt threatened by humble Christians, simply because a Christian’s highest loyalty is not to the state but to the Kingdom of God in Christ. Christians should pose no violent threat to any if they are following the way of Jesus.

However glorious the pageantry of princes, what is most awesome to followers of Christ is what he has said to us in his word. Join me in standing in awe of what he has proclaimed and brought to pass—that we who were once afar off “have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility ” (Eph 2:13-14)

Such words of promise fulfilled should cause us to rejoice (v. 162) like one who has found much treasure. I remember when I was a child, we would play in the forest behind our house as though we were hunting for lost pirate treasure. Almost anything seemed to be a clue to finding the treasure—but we never did. However, such imaginary adventures give insight into both the longing for and the joy of discovery such a find might bring. Do we have the same response to God’s word? Have we found that our significance, identity, and purpose are wrapped up in the love of God pour out for us? That is a treasure indeed—there is nothing in the world more precious and beautiful!

In Matthew 13:44-46, Jesus described the Kingdom of God in just such treasure-finding terms,

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Our heart needs to be captured by the love of Christ, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:21) We should not be spoiled by the world's hatred, nor by its riches, but willing to lose/sell it all for the joy of belonging to Christ Jesus! Unlike those who find worldly treasure and become paranoid over hiding and protecting it, when we love God's word we have great peace that we are willing to share (Psalm 119:165).

O Lord Christ, you offer us mercy and the goodness of your grace. We are in awe of your love and faithfulness, all the more vivid when compared to the flawed and failing governments of this world. Let us not live our lives cowering and controlled by fear of governments or hostile crowds. Lord comfort and protect those who are oppressed and persecuted. Let us not be apathetic, but instead, we ask for a Spirit-empowered boldness to stand on your Word, to show love for your ways, and to seek the lost as you sought us. Lord, please speak to us today, and fill us with joy in your presence no matter what comes to pass! Amen.

21 Days of Prayer in Psalm 119 (Day #20)

Read Psalm 119:153-160

“Plead”

Today is an important day in the United States. Today we inaugurated our 45^th President. He is a man that makes many nervous for if he does what he says it will certainly shake up the status quo. Some support him, some fear him, some mock him, and some hate him. However, what the Bible calls for us to do is pray for him. I am reminded of the Lincoln-Douglas senatorial debates in 1858 when Abraham Lincoln said, “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.”

Politicians and leaders may promise many things and may endeavor to keep their promises but they usually fall short. However, God has no such shortcomings. So, I approach today, thankfully clinging to God’s words of truth that endure forever (v. 160) and find myself repeating verses 154-155,

Plead my cause and redeem me;
    give me life according to your promise!
Salvation is far from the wicked,
    for they do not seek your statutes.

Why these verses? Because first, it acknowledges our need for an advocate and a redeemer. We have all sinned and come up short of God’s perfect goodness. We all need Jesus Christ to come to plead our case—that though we were guilty he took that guilt upon himself and redeemed us! Second, it stands on the truthfulness of God’s word. The sad part is that salvation is far from the wicked—although they would not be sad—for they run away from the gospel message of God’s righteous love and sacrifice on our behalf. We, like the Lord himself, would want everyone to respond in faith to his offer of redemption, but some harden their hearts and will not hear of it. This is sobering because of the possibility that we ourselves could impose our plan upon that of the Lord. We could become so convinced in our own rightness that God must certainly be on our side instead of asking, like Lincoln, if we are on God’s side.

Here is a passage sure to be quoted many times today, but it is one that needs to be at the top of our list as we move forward under a new government.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.  (1 Timothy 2:1-6)

O Lord, we come today to pray and ask that our leaders, and especially our new president would sincerely seek to be on your side. May they begin to read your word—the Bible—as never before and may you grant them understanding and wisdom beyond their education and experience to lead by serving, to govern with integrity, to seek unity without wading through the cesspool of compromised convictions but instead taking the path of authentic listening and dialogue towards a common good. 

Lord, may you grant us to live in peace, the kind of peace that honors you not one that simply avoids dealing with the hard stuff. Let us not be like the ancient city of Babel that sought to make itself great in opposition to your command to fill the earth (Gen. 11), but let us like Abraham believe your promise and trust you to make our name great (Gen. 12:1-3)! Above all I ask that the hearts of many that are currently hard and cold towards you might be warmed and softened by the Holy Spirit to hear and respond to your invitation of redeeming love, and may we participate fully in your plan to bring this to pass. Amen.

21 Days of Prayer in Psalm 119 (Day # 19)

Read Psalm 119:145-152

    “Near”

In today’s stanza, Qoph, the psalmist is once again crying out for help to the Lord, literally day and night (145-148). Last week in church I introduced the congregation to the seven historical hours of pray that were kept by monks and nuns in response to v. 164 as well as these verses today. But the concept that I wanted to focus on today was the word “near” from verses 150-151.

 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;

  they are far from your law.

But you are near, O Lord,

                 and all your commandments are true.

Near is used in two senses. The enemy, in 150, draws near (qarab) in the sense of approaching to do harm—like a predator creeping closer to its prey before beginning the final chase. It also was used in a military sense for “closing in battle.” I am encouraged that the psalmist is not blissfully ignorant of what is going on around him. He has had his opened physically, mentally, ethically, and spiritually through his constant meditation on the law of God. Hence, he sees the enemy coming. “Yep, I saw that…”

This approach of danger did not discourage the psalmist for the Lord was already near (qarowb) not only in proximity but in relationship. In this usage, a synonym might be gō’ēl which might sound familiar since it is the word behind the “kinsman redeemer” or the nearest responsible blood relative that could redeem a person from bondage. No matter who draws near to attack us, the Lord is even nearer to defend us.

Heavenly Father, you are a God who does not stand afar off but have come near to us in Christ by the Spirit, even to indwell us your people. Thank you for being nearer than anyone else, for your words are true completely. You keep your promises, and you care for your people. O Lord, you know the attacks your people face, worse in some places than in others. You know and understand. However, we often don’t understand the way that you work—counter-intuitively, humbly, inclusively—but we ask you to be near in these days as we will all need it. We ask that what the enemy seeks to tear down you would build up even stronger, where flames of hate and violence are fanned may you douse them in a river of your love. Lord, we look to you for our peace, our preservation, and our productive labor upon this planet. We ask that you embolden and empower us to faithfully do business in your name—despite opposition—until you return! 

21 Days of Prayer in Psalm 119 (Day #18)

Read Psalm 119:137-144

“Right”

In today’s reading, I was quickened to the psalmist’s confession as to the rightness of the “rules” of the Lord. Sometimes, as humans desiring our own way, we kick against rules, authority, and standards, but here the psalmist honestly admits that those very rules are right and are sourced in the faithfulness of the Lord himself. Verses 137-138

Righteous are you, O Lord,
    and right are your rules.
You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness
    and in all faithfulness.

The term “Rules” certainly is being used as a synonym for all of God’s word. Yet it points to the heart of the matter—who makes “the rules?” The one who makes “the rules” is the one who rules, either externally or internally. The psalmist is not settling for mere compliance with external directives, he has internalized the rules of the Lord as the core convictions of his life!

He also confesses being pretty burned up on the inside because his enemies don’t live by God’s word (v.139). If they did, then so many problems would be solved! However, the attacks of those who forget God and deny his commands (e.g., do not commit murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness) so that they can oppress others and feed their own appetites for power and wealth, have repeatedly forced God’s people to take refuge in God’s promises. Hence the psalmist can write,

Your promise is well tried,
    and your servant loves it. (v. 140)

Can we stand with the psalmist today knowing that we have deeply trusted in the Lord’s promises and seen them come to pass? I love the fact that the Lord is always faithful to his promise, even if that means that I don’t get what I want when I want it. His promise is bigger and “righter” than that.

O Lord, may we never forget your words of loving guidance, powerful protection, compassionate comfort, and holistic healing, for your rules are but signs that you are our rightful Ruler and King! When you tell us “No” it is sourced in your holy love for us, when you tell us to wait it flows from your faithfulness. We do not begin to grasp the scope of your knowledge nor the depth of your love, but as we love your word we begin to see, we start to understand, and we enter the rest provided in a personal relationship with you. Open our eyes today to see how your rules are right!  

21 Days of Prayer in Psalm 119 (Day #17)

Read Psalm 119:129-136

     “Shine”

The things that God has said are so wonderful that once we have heard them we treasure them and hold them close (129)! Those whose hearts are hard like a well-worn path do not take time to listen to understand much less allow the word into their hearts. Jesus said such words are like seeds snatched away by hungry birds (Matt. 13:4,19; Luke 8:12).

I could have chosen “wonderful,” “keep,” or even “turn” as my focus word today. However, I settled on “shine” because of verses 130 and 135,

The unfolding of your words gives light;
    it imparts understanding to the simple…

Make your face shine upon your servant,
    and teach me your statutes.

The idea of the “unfolding” of his words intrigues me. It captures the idea of the process of how God chose to reveal his word. As Josh McDowell and others have noted, the Bible is unique. It didn’t happen all at once but over 1500 to 2000 years, was written by around 40 different authors (inspired by the Holy Spirit), in different places, vastly different times and circumstances, expressing different moods and emotions, on three continents, in three or four languages, covering hundreds of controversial subjects, and consisting of a number of different literary styles. Yet there is a wonderfully consistent quality to it. It is like one epic tapestry, where each narrative, command, letter, or psalm is woven together to reveal the heart and plans of God revealed in history.

Eugene Peterson’s vivid paraphrase (The Message) has “Break open your words, let the light shine out” But while I like its vividness, it seems to lose some of the richness of the idea of “unfolding,” Theologians refer to this unfolding of God’s plan and purpose throughout the Bible as “progressive revelation.” Jacob did not have the revelation of Moses, David, or Isaiah, etc. In the last book of the Bible, we see Jesus as the “lamb that was slain” who takes the scroll sealed with seven seals and opens them one seal at a time as God’s plan for the end times was revealed (Rev. 5-6).

It is in our taking time to be available to the word of God that the Spirit unfolds it for us in a way that “imparts understanding!” But this time spent is not merely with a message, or an important mission, as though the word was a thing. Rather there is a remarkably relational statement here as the psalmist uses verse 135 as a parallel, but instead of using one of the more direct synonyms for the word of God (e.g., word, law, rules, testimonies, etc.) he uses the term “your face.” Do we see the face of God in the scriptures? We should.  

Moses's face glowed after spending time in the Lord's presence. Jesus' face while praying, at the transfiguration, was "altered, and his clothing became dazzling white." (Luke 9:28-29). It is in spending time in the presence of the Lord that something of his radiant glorious love is communicated to us so that we not only learn his statutes but we shine a bit too.

O Lord, we live in a dark world made all the darker by our persistent self-focus. I as that as we spend time reading, thinking, and praying your words that such darkness may be banished from our hearts by the light of your great love! I pray that your love would shine through us, especially this week in our divided nation. Lord, when others our quaking in fear, or frantic in their pursuits may your words make us steady (v. 133) and dependable. May our hearts be broken with what breaks your heart (v.136) but keep us from the exhaustion of discouragement by the strength of your joy! Your word is wonderful because it reveals your steadfast and beautiful love for us! Wow! 

21 Days of Prayer in Psalm 119 (Day #16)

Read Psalm 119:121-128

        “Justice”

From today’s timely reading I will focus on verse 121, and verses 126-127. Today is the day that we remember a man known for his commitment and sacrifice for racial and economic justice in America—Martin Luther King, Jr.  It is a good segue from yesterday’s exhortation to single-mindedness, for King was adamant in his stand for a non-violent approach to advocating for justice. While still a complex and flawed man, he embodied the ideal of standing in love for the rights of the oppressed.

Over 3000 years ago, the psalmist wrote,

I have done what is just and right;
    do not leave me to my oppressors. (v. 121)

Have we taken a stand for justice or do we enjoy the benefits of an unjust system too much

to do so? If we claim, like the psalmist, to be God’s servant (v. 125) then we must be about God’s business—and the Lord is very serious about justice for the oppressed and powerless. In fact, you don’t have to read the writings of the Old Testament prophets very long to see the heart of God on this issue. We all have our part to play in doing what is just and right. What is it that the Lord is asking us to do today? I may write, others cook, some teach, others still build, etc. The point is not that we all become the same or do the same thing in order to effect change, but that we all become who the Lord created us to be so that everything that needs to be done can be done by humble men and women empowered by the Holy Spirit.

We need to be content with what we have received from the Lord, and yet discontent with the status quo of social injustice. Business as usual doesn’t cut it when there are some who are being oppressed because of our actions or inactions. I think the psalmist captures this angst in v.126,

It is time for the Lord to act,
    for your law has been broken.

If we have any kind of compassion in our hearts we have probably prayed this verse even if we didn’t know it was in the Bible! Sometimes it is hard to watch the news that floods in from all over the world. We shake our hearts, wipe our tears, and ask “How long Lord?” as we long for his salvation to come (v. 123). Yet, if we open our eyes a little wider we can see that the Lord is acting even now—through Spirit-filled individuals and redemptive communities who have answered his call—even though he is withholding his final judgment so that we might repent (2 Peter 3:9).

Yet the work that needs to be done in us and in our communities, is not only that which might commonly be considered “spiritual,” but extends to the economic. My late pastor used to say that you can tell a lot about a person by looking at their checkbook (yes it was before people stopped using them). The point being that our spending habits reflect our priorities, values, and affections. What happens when our biblical beliefs collide with our economics? In such a case, do we still cry out for the Lord to act or do we pull back and protect our “resources”? For many people living in countries hostile to the cause of Christ this is a very real dilemma. For those of us in the west, it is not generally more than a philosophical question. However, our very soul may be more in danger than we realize. Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:24 and 25:31-48 reveal the very spiritual side of our economic practises. Who do we love? Who do we see? How will we spend? The psalmist boldly declares his decision,

^“Therefore I love your commandments
    above gold, above fine gold.” (Psalm 119:127)

Such a loving resolve should direct us even today.

21 Days of Prayer in Psalm 119 (Day #15)

Read Psalm 119:113-120

“Double-minded”

As we start the year with a season of prayer + fasting it is in the desire to be single-minded in our approach to the Lord. The psalmist demonstrates his own single-mindedness throughout the whole of this psalm. He hopes only in what the Lord has spoken, he trusts only in the loving-kindness/ steadfast love of the Lord for his deliverance. He faces what appears to be significant opposition and even persecution and looks to the Lord for justice.

The verses that caught my eye today were the first two verses of this stanza, verses 113-114,

“I hate the double-minded,

     but I love your law.
You are my hiding place and my shield;
    I hope in your word.”

While the use of “hate” might seem like a strong word to us, it is used in relational contrast to his “love” for God’s law. (Students of my Psalms classes know that the technical term for this type of Hebrew poetry is antithetical parallelism.) However, without diminishing the force of hate, most of us would have to admit that we too hate the double-minded. We hate politicians that flip-flop their positions, we hate hypocrites who claim to believe one thing in public but live their lives quite differently in private. We even hate drivers who can’t stay in their own lane on the road or who take up two parking spots in the lot.

The Hebrew word translated “double-minded” could be transliterated “ce`eph” or “say-afe” and is pronounced similarly to a two-syllable form of the English word “safe”. So in a way, the double-minded person wants to play if “safe” and not put all their hope and trust in the Lord. In the New Testament, there are two passages where we find double-minded translating the Greek word δίψυχος (dipsukos) that add to our understanding of double-mindedness.

1) James 1:5-8 addresses where we turn to look for wisdom in tough times. Do we trust God to provide it or are we hedging our bets? If we ask God for wisdom do we believe he answers? When we find God’s answer, is not the answer we were seeking, do we ask for “two out of three?

2) James 4:7-8 in a passage dealing with the source of fighting and quarrels again addresses double-mindedness as something to repent of.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. 

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. 

Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Jesus warned his followers that they couldn't serve two masters (Matthew 6:24) for we will always love one and hate the other...yet still we try. So what will we do the next time we are in a difficult spot, will we trust God has the answer for us or will we seek deliverance and wisdom elsewhere? Our following our own ideas of what is best usually leads us far from authentic faith in the Lord, but in his love he comes looking for us to bring us back and to change our hearts.

“I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them.” (Jeremiah 32:39 NIV)

The psalmist pledges that the Lord is "my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word!"

O Lord, you know how hard it is for us to stay on target in this life, yet you did it. You know how hard it is to stay relationally intimate with our Heavenly Father on a daily basis, yet you made it a priority of your day to begin with private prayer. You know how to face the hardest of situations with courage and resolve—even as you would not be turned away from going to the cross for us. Pour into our hearts a single-minded love for your law which in turn commands us,

“And this is his commandment, 

                            that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ

                                   and love one another, 

just as he has commanded us.” (1 John 3:23)

Amen!

21 Days of Prayer in Psalm 119 (Day #14)

Read Psalm 119:105-112

     “Lamp”

The most well-known verse in this stanza is undoubtedly verse 105,

“Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light to my path.”

If you are like me, you have experienced those times when God’s Word was exactly that, a light to our feet. I’m referring to those times when we are unsure where to go, what to do, or how to avoid the snares the wicked have laid for us (v.110). Those times when we have asked the Lord to speak to us, to direct us, to deliver us, and a verse we read at that moment cut right through the darkness of our circumstances with the light of clarity.

Often the illuminating nature of the Bible is described with images of lighthouses and halogen spotlights…but that is not the kind of light described in this verse.

The lamps used by the Hebrews were small earthenware lamps that held olive oil and a wick. This means that the lap was about as bright as a candle. If you were using one to follow a path it would be bright enough to show you where to place your next step but not much more.

So, does this description downplay the effectiveness of the Word as a guide for our lives? Not at all. If you are in total darkness, an olive-oil lamp would be a tremendous blessing! However, there may be a lesson in this verse for those of us who are used to long-distance lights.

Sometimes I am the kind of person that thinks that once I am pointed in the right direction I can handle things on my own. God’s Word is more relational than that! The lamp metaphor in this verse would have been understood that you had to take the lamp with you every step of the way. Do we stay close enough to God’s Word to say that? I hope that this year we will not want to distance ourselves in any way from the Lord’s precious words to us! We need to take joy in the Bible and incline our hearts to do what it says, not just our heads to study it and our mouths to discuss it. As verses 111-112 say,

Your testimonies are my heritage forever,
    for they are the joy of my heart.
I incline my heart to perform your statutes
    forever, to the end.

Lord Jesus, please keep me close this week. Don’t let me run ahead or lag behind your word. No one can take your words of love and purpose from me, they are my heritage—may I rejoice in them for they teach me about you and your plan for me. Lord, it is true that we do what we desire so incline my heart to desire to do your word for your word will not return emptyhanded (Isaiah 55:11).