Monday, March 7, 2022

Bible Verse: I will give thanks to you with a heart that does right as I learn your righteous rules. I will keep your statutes. Please don’t leave me all alone!

Psalm 119:7-8

Reflection:

These verses remind me of the importance of the way we praise God and of His Word. Google says “upright” means “ strictly honorable or honest.” I know my heart isn’t honorable or honest 100% of the time, so at first this tempts me to feel down on myself in a way because I have moments where I fail at this, but that’s not the point.

I believe the psalmist is reminding to deal with ourselves honestly when learning about God’s ways/Word. Use His Word as a mirror to take an honest look at ourselves and our hearts to see how it truly can apply to us rather than the immediate reaction I can have of “well that doesn’t sound like me" or tuning out “I already know about this/I’ve heard this story before.” The author strives to continually learn and grow in their knowledge of God and sets out to obey God’s decrees and that challenges me to do the same. It makes me think of John 14:15 where Jesus says “if you love me, keep my commandments.” I do not live under the law and therefore do not have to keep the law because I’m under grace, but I should want to try to follow the things God and Jesus command just out of my love instead of out of fear or obligation.

These verses end with the writer insisting God not forsake them and leave them to themselves and their own ways. The beautiful thing is God will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6), unless that is what you really want for Him to do.

Overall I’m challenged to have an honest and honorable heart when growing in knowledge of God, keep His commandments because I want to out of love and trust and not obligation, and reminded that whether I succeed or fail at this, God will never leave me behind or forget about me as a result. I am His and He is mine.

Contributor: Kelley Flinn