They Don’t Hear Us, They See Us

This post’s passage reference: Psalm 119:1-6.

(Sorry…This one may be a little longer than normal. I’ve been told that blog posts should be short. It’s just that I’m trying something new and I need a little explaining room.  To my brother that likes my shorter posts…hopefully this won’t happen often!)

I don’t always have a clear picture of where I am going with a post when I begin studying for it.  There are times I have a story that fits a scripture passage. Then other times, I have a note or just a blurb that I had written in my trusty “writer’s notebook” earlier, with no thought of a scripture that would relate. In this instance, much earlier—in July of 2023. 

Recently, I have been drawn back to Psalm 119 a number of times, so much so that I have decided to try a study through the whole chapter, a few verses at a time. I don’t claim any great knowledge of the Bible. I just study it to learn from it. Then I attempt to tell you, simply, what I think it said.  So the truth is. I am just learning as I go.  The fact is—God’s Word does not change. It is Truth. It is alive and I believe that God’s breath can breathe the same Word that will minister to each of us differently. 

My former pastor said that God’s Word will stay true to what ever subject you are presenting. So I did my in-depth study of Psalm 119:1-6. Then when I finished it. I looked through my notebook to see if there was something I had written that would go with it. 

It was then that I saw a paragraph I had written in July of 2023. I think it fits my study notes on Psalm 119:1-6 pretty well. It was a post from the “community of the awake” social media site. It was a picture of a mother holding a child on her lap. They were both holding books and reading. The gist of the post was someone wondering how they got their child to read instead of playing on electronic devices. The answer was simple and powerful. It read, “children don’t hear us, they imitate us.” 

Having our children imitate us when they see the strength of our spiritual walk is one of the biggest blessings.  During sermons I take notes. It is a habit I learned as a child at summer camp and have kept doing it most of my life.  My five year niece would sit beside me. When she saw me writing, she would take her journal and draw pictures of what she thought the sermon was about. Then as she got older, she would sneak a look at my notes to make her notes. Talk about a blessing! 

Psalm 119 is a very long chapter. The first six verses are very powerful though. It could almost tell us everything we need to know to live a godly life. It begins by telling us there are those that try really hard to get in God’s Word and learn what it has to say. Not only do they learn what it has to say, they make every effort to follow what it has to say. These followers are called blessed! 

Then there are others that are blessed who take it a step further. They keep what they learn within their hearts.  They make the effort to seek God with their whole heart, mind and soul. They are followers that do not put themselves into sinful situations and they walk the way that God’s scriptures teach them.  It is clear,  God has  instructed us to follow His statutes very closely and intently. 

The writer of this Psalm had a desire to immerse themself in learning God’s statutes, but also wanted very much to do His will.  When we make our best effort to follow God’s statutes, His instructions, on how to live this life, we will have no reason to be ashamed about our walk with God. 

The challenge for those that belong to Christ and are attempting to walk in God’s ways could be living every day in such a way that their visible walk, their actions, are consistent with God’s precepts. Which means that you don’t take time off from your relationship with God. You continue on a consistent journey walking with Him. 

How can we apply this passage of scripture to our lives? This passage gives clear guidance that we are to not only to seek to learn from God’s precepts, but we should also put those precepts in action in our daily lives. Do something with them. We should practice them so consistently that they become second nature to us. It should be “just the way we live our lives.”

What does this mean to my faith? I know that the more I sincerely seek God, and seek to walk closer to Him, the more He will bless me.  I feel like a comment from the Blue Letter Bible Commentary on Psalm 119, tells me that “if I walk in the light more fully, and maintain closer communion with God, I can live undefiled by the world and can enjoy far more peace and joy.”

Lord, when I started studying this scripture I had no idea where it would take me. Thank You for teaching me, even in passages that I feel may be challenging to interpret for others, that at the core,Your Word is simple and can be explained to anyone. Thank You, Lord,  for Your extravagant Grace to me. 

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“1Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. 3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. 4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. 5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! 6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.“ Psalm 119:1-6 (KJV) 

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I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about my Jesus.  

What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe?  Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him?  You can know Him.  Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity.  You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.  

Here is an excellent website that can give you additional information about making your decision for Jesus Christ!  PeaceWithGod.net

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