“Staying steadfast”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Psalm 119:1-24 (Forward, p. 73) CEV p. 629
When planting trees or shrubs it is most important, not only to make sure that they are planted totally upright, but also, in many cases, that they are staked up with some sturdy rod or post to ensure that they remain that way, especially given the propensity of the wind, for instance, to render them askew.
In a sense, God’s word is like that in terms of our spiritual lives and functioning. It keeps up upright and steadfast in our relationship with God and in our daily actions. Accordingly, it is something then that our psalmist dwells upon at some length in today’s portion of Psalm 119:
“Thinking about your commands will keep me from doing some foolish thing. I will do right and praise you by learning to respect your perfect laws” (verses 6-7).
“Young people can live a clean life by obeying your word” (verse 9).
“I treasure your word above all else; it keeps me from sinning against you” (verse 11).
And so, he takes great pains to not only to know and follow that word, but also repeatedly asks God’s help in doing so:
“I worship you with all my heart. Don’t let me walk away from your commands” (verse 10).
“Treat me with kindness, Lord, so that I may live and do what you say. Open my mind and let me discover the wonders of your Law. I live her as a stranger. Don’t keep me from knowing your commands” (verses 17-19).
It is obvious that he treasures God’s words, God’s law, teachings, and commandments, more than anything else on earth:
“With my own mouth, I tell others the laws that you have spoken” (verse 13).
“Obeying your instructions brings me as much happiness as being rich. I will study your teachings and follow your footsteps. I will take pleasure in your laws and remember your words” (verses 14-16).
“Your laws are my greatest joy! I follow their advice” (verse 24).
Furthermore, our psalmist commits himself to this even when other people don’t or when they sneer at him or insult him for doing so. Yes, even when people in authority plot against him (see verses 21-23).
All I can say to this is that our psalmist’s resolve is most commendable, and most worthy of imitation by ourselves. His ardent desire, not only to have an upright and steadfast life, but also to have such a deliberate and conscious adherence to God’s laws as to make it possible, is something that we, all of us, should intentionally make part of our lives and practice. And, what a better time of the year to do so, but right now at its beginning. Thanks be to God for this opportunity.
Forward notes: “Happy are those who observe his decrees and seek him with all their hearts! Who never do wrong, but always walk in his ways” (verses 2-3).
“The difference between being whole and having a hole in our hearts is a ‘W,’ and that ‘W’ stands for worship. The question is: what story do you worship? Is it a story of babies being born from barren wombs, faith the size of mustard seeds that can move mountains, or a teenager who slays giants? I hope it is a story about how life in Jesus conquers death. In seeking God with our whole hearts, we bring it all to God: the light and the darkness, the joy and the despair, the shame and the pride. After all, God knows the desires of our hearts. And from God, no secrets are hid. And so, we seek, not perfectly and not without stumbling. We pursue and chase after God.
“Authentic life and joy are born when what we say we believe is reflected in what we do in our lives. Let us not go astray in our hearts but seek after the highways and heartways of God.”
Moving Forward: “What story do you worship?”