Oh Let Me See You Breathe Strongly On Me

This post’s passage reference: Psalm 119:75-80

My electronic device (aka my phone) drives me nuts some times, well lots of times. I think they are made to deliberately see how many times they can get you to yell at them. The auto-correct is my nemesis as of late. I like to talk my texts in. Either the little Australian guy in the phone does not understand “southern,” or he is being deliberately obtuse. 

Recently,  I was attempting to respond to someone with a simple, “Sounds good.” So what did the little Australian guy hear? “Subs god.” Really? One thing I can absolutely tell him, with full conviction in my heart, is there is no sub for God. Someone who realized this in the Bible was King David. He was called a man after God’s own heart.  Even through his many ups and downs, he knew there was no substitute, there is only one God.  

We certainly see the ups and downs of the psalmist as we read through Psalm 119.  That is understandable as most scholars believe this Psalm is supposed to have been written by David, under the reign of Saul.1  Writings of David’s history in the Old Testament show that his time under Saul was very chaotic.  There were many ups and downs. This next passage continues in this vein.

The psalmist here, in Psalm 119:75-80, is talking to the Lord and telling Him that he knows His judgements are right. He understands that the troubles and suffering he has endured were allowed to strengthen him and to strengthen his knowledge of God’s faithfulness.  

His prayer is that God would give him mercy and kindness as He comforts and consoles him. One definition that Strong’s Concordance gives for comfort is “breathe strongly.” Can’t you just imagine David pleading for God to breathe strongly on him? He offers himself as a servant of God.  He then goes on to ask for God’s “tender mercies,“ His “compassion and love,” to come to him. His desire is to live, not necessarily for himself, but so that others can see how he delights in the laws of God. 

He remembered again how the arrogant had treated him, and desired that they would feel ashamed. They had dealt falsely with him for no reason.  Even so, the psalmist was going to continue to study and ponder on God’s precepts. 

He wants to be the person that God’s people turn to. He wants to be surrounded by others that know God’s testimonies.  Finally, he wants his heart to be sound, wholesome and unimpaired when it comes to knowledge of God’s law. He never wants to be ashamed when it comes to representing God’s laws. 

What is the challenge for us in this passage? It seems to me that these six verses show what Samuel was saying in 1 Samuel 13:14, “…the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart…” I believe the challenge from this verse would be for us to get our lives in order so that we would be people after God’s own heart. With super busy schedules and split priorities, it is challenging to get in God’s Word long enough to be filled. We are barely sustained. Let’s challenge ourselves to sacrifice some time to spend with our Lord. 

How can we apply this passage to our lives? We could seek a deeper, more personal relationship with our Lord, maybe seek His heart a little more intently.  In good times and bad times, we need to seek to understand how God is working in our lives, and praise Him through it all. Let’s be like David and say, “Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.” (Ps 119:80)

What does this mean to my Faith?  My faith is strengthen when I am assured through His Word that even through the tough times God has His hand on me and He is in control.  He comforts me through the Holy Spirit, so I am never alone. 

Lord,  I thank You that You have made it possible for me to have a relationship with You through Your Son, Jesus. I desire to serve You and have my service bring You honor and glory. Help me to always trust in You through my whole life. You are the One True God. There is none like You. My heart would ask, Lord, that You breathe strongly on me!

~~~~~~~

“75 I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. 76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. 77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight. 78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts. 79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies. 80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.” Psalm 119:75-80 (KJV)

“But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalm 1:2 (KJV)

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it [are] the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23 (KJV)

_____________

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

 ————————

Blog Image by W. S. Jung from Pixabay

————————

1 StudyLighte Website, Home » Commentaries » English» Benson’s Commentary » Psalms