This post’s passage reference: Psalm 119:42-47
My cousin told me yesterday that the middle school basketball coach called her and told her that she would like for her daughter to try out for the basketball team. She wasn’t sure if she would want to or not. She told her that she had never played and did not know how. The coach let her know that was what practice is for, learning how to play. Found out this evening that she tried it and she loves it. I’d told my cousin earlier that it is so important for them to teach her the rules of the game.
In the early 70’s, when Title IX came along, requiring federally-funded schools to treat women’s sports equally, our school threw together our first girl’s basketball team. They wanted me to play because I was tall. Believe me, that was all they got out of the deal. I was awful…worse than awful. This could be a very long post if I told you all the reasons I was awful. So I will keep it simple. I was not really interested and I just didn’t “get it.”
So fifty-plus years later, (Did I just say that?!) I understand the “why” I didn’t get it a little better. As I have mentioned in previous posts, I crave organization and order. To me, being on the floor during a game just felt like people running up and down the court with no rhyme or reason. I did not know the game. I had no knowledge of what all the running up and down meant, other than any time that ball was in my hands, I threw it to someone else as fast as I could.
Do I look back and wish that I had “gotten it?” Absolutely! I would have loved to have been able to have had the knowledge to understand the game. My cousin, who is the same age, took that same opportunity all the way to college and an induction to her college’s women’s basketball hall of fame.
It sure makes a difference in most anything in life if you have an interest and have knowledge.
As we look at Psalm 119:42-47, we see the psalmist digging his heels in on upholding God’s Word. In the previous passage we saw him doing the best he could to stay on the path that leads to God. Here in verse 42, he is proclaiming his complete trust in God’s Word and his confidence in being able to tell others—to tell anyone—the lessons he has learned from God’s Word, the knowledge he has gained because he was interested—you might even say he was obsessed.
As we see in verse 44, his hope has been, and will continue to be in the judgements of God. He is petitioning God to give him more days so he can continue to share his knowledge. His intention and purpose in life has become to keep God‘s Law for ever, and ever. One commentator that I read stated that his goal was probably to keep the Law for ever into and throughout eternity.
The psalmist is determined to walk his path unconstrained by worldly opinions, for his objective is to continue to seek God’s precepts, and model his life on them. He realized that his journey would take him in the path of many, including kings. He vowed to, unashamedly, share these testimonies even with them. His love for God’s commandments was written all over him…in all that he said and did.
How can this passage challenge our walk and our witness? We live in this world and are influenced and affected by everything around us. One challenge could be to consciously live to honor God in such a way that, when we do have an opportunity to share our knowledge of Him and His Word, our witness will not be dismissed because of how we live. Another challenge could be making sure we prepare in advance for those opportunities. Seek the knowledge! Know this, the possibilities are all around us to be able to share God’s story. He will put opportunities in front of us. We need to prepare ourselves (by knowing God’s Word) to speak fearlessly about our faith.
How can we apply this passage to our lives? As outlined by David Guzik in his Study Guide for Psalms 119, we can apply the three components of true love to our relationship with God’s Word: 1) feeling (the actual relationship with the Word,) 2) the giving of honor (coming to the Word with a loving and willing heart) and, 3) a desire to spend time and energy in knowing the Word (the actual effort put into the relationship.) To be able to share God’s Word, His precepts, you must know them.
What does this mean to my faith? My faith is strengthened when I realize that by immersing myself in God’s Word, it helps mold me into the person God wants me to be, bit by bit. Then, the more I allow God to mold me and teach me, the freer my life becomes. I have confidence that God will provide the opportunities and will then provide the interaction.
Thank You, Lord, that You have given me Your Word. I am amazed and honored each time You make something come together for me to understand and “I get it.” Please continue to draw me into Your Word so that I can learn your precepts. Help me find ways to share what You are teaching me so that others can discover what a treasure You have gifted us with. Help me to live my life in a way that will honor You and will cause others to want to “get it” too.
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“42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. 43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. 44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. 45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. 46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. 47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.” Psalm 119:42-47 (KJV)
“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.“ Ephesians 6:16 (KJV)
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15 (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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Blog Image by Alexander Fox | PlaNet Fox from Pixabay
Restricted Vision, Unburdened Sight 