21 Days of Prayer in Psalm 119 (Day #6)

Psalm 119:41-48

"Steadfast Love"

This section of eight verses speaks of the psalmist’s determination to keep God’s Word and to deliver the Lord’s message even to kings (v. 46), for God’s Word was his delight (v. 47), but why was this his determination? We also should speak the testimony of the Lord, we should delight in what he has said, and we should be determined to keep his commands. But why? For the same reason as the psalmist that is found in v. 41-42 which is my focus today.

Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,

    your salvation according to your promise;

then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
    for I trust in your word. (v. 41-42)

If we have received his lovingkindness or steadfast love (hesed) then we will have the courage to do what it takes to respond to that love. In this verse, steadfast love and salvation are used parallel to each other. Does this remind you of a verse in the New Testament?

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

If we know, beyond any doubt that we are loved by God then we will be emboldened to stand up against any taunts the world might throw at us. If we have seen the Lord’s faithfulness to his promise to send this love/salvation how can we do anything else but trust what he says all the more?

O Lord, the God who loves us faithfully—even unto your own death in our place—who seeks us out when we have gone astray and runs to meet us when we realize we have nowhere else to turn (John 15), may our hearts be set free to love you in return! May our souls be set on fire with a longing to know you more, to speak of you often, to obey you consistently, all because of the gift of your steadfast love to us. Lord, you walked among us as a man for over 30 years and you above all know how faithless we can be—let your steadfast love be pressed down into our soul in a way that we are changed and can love you and each other according to your steadfast way! (Read Romans 8:31-39)

It may not be easy, but it will be awesome—because that is the way you are!