This blog’s Scripture passage reference: Psalm 119:130-135
My niece and I were in the car the other day and I asked about a song that was playing. She told me who it was and told me it was the same group that sang the version of Take Me Home Country Roads that I really like. It is such a different take than the original. It evokes a deep sense of longing, even more than the original.
I think you can like that song and feel the emotional pull of it even if you are not from West Virginia. But for those that grew up in the coal fields of Southern West Virginia and are no longer there, it has a way different emotional pull. It is a longing to be back there, even though you know you are not going back for more than a visit. The longing of the song pulls at you to be back where times were simpler and life was a little more fun, back to a place and time that really does not exist any longer. Yes, deep longing.
Within Psalm 119:131-135, the psalmist had longings of a different kind. He had such a longing for the commandments of the Lord that he opened his mouth, thirsty, as if to have Living Water poured right into his mouth.
He was seeking for the Lord to look on him, to esteem him. He desired the mercy of God. He wanted the same mercy that God reserved for those that love His name. He requested for the Lord to point him in the direction he should go to be able to understand His Word. He was willing to give complete control over to Him.
The psalmist yearned for the Lord to deliver him from those that were distressing him, as his desire was still to maintain diligence to keeping the precepts of the Lord. He wanted the Lord to look on him and shine the light of His face on him. He passionately wanted the Lord to teach him His statutes.
How could this passage challenge us as we walk with Christ? It can be challenging to put ourselves in a position to receive God’s commandments. So the challenge could be to make sure we are walking the steps that God wants us to. Make sure we are on the right path and lined up to receive those commandments.
How can we apply this to our lives? It is important to maintain diligence to the Lord’s precepts. We should nurture our spiritual hunger and do the things that cause us to seek God’s Word and desire to follow His commandments. And truly, we must turn our face toward the Lord before He can shine His light on it.
What does this mean to my faith? My faith is strengthened when I seek the Lord with longing and know that He will hear me from Heaven. Also, when I deliberately order my steps according to His precepts, He will keep me from iniquity. And oh the blessing and the peace when the Lord does shine His face down on me! More and more each day I have longing to spend time with Him.
My Lord, I am so thankful that when I long for understanding from Your Word, You will provide it. I so desire that You will order my steps continually so that I can be assured that I am on the right path. Please do shine Your face upon me and help me to always walk in Your light. My longing is to continually feel Your presence and Your Light in my life.
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“131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. 132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. 133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. 134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. 135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.“ Psalm 119:131-135 (KJV)
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” 1 Peter 2:2 (KJV)
“Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.” Psalm 119:124 (KJV)
“The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” Numbers 6:25,26 (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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Restricted Vision, Unburdened Sight 