This is The Way – Devo Day 18

Waw – Psalm 119:41-48

41 Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise;
42 then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules.
44 I will keep your law continually, forever and ever,
45 and I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts.
46 I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame,
47 for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love.
48 I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.

Psalm 119:41–48 (ESV)

The psalmist’s prayer continues in this stanza. Here he declares his dependence on God’s Word by asking for God’s “steadfast love” to be manifested in his deliverance, according to God’s promises. He says this will enable him to stand up to the detractors that are taunting him (probably because of his trust in God’s Word). Then he goes on in verse 43 to say that without the assurances of God’s promises and His Word, he would be powerless to witness to the truth.

But in verse 44 the tone changes from plea to a declaration. Something has happened in the psalmist’ heart and mind. There has been a shift. There has been a transition from supplication to application, from heart to will. In light of his devotion, delight, and dependence on God’s Word the psalmist now declares what he is going to do about how he feels. (Note – the feeling is not the end product, just the instigation (the spark) to action.)

• V44 – I will keep your law
• V45 – I shall walk in a wide place
• V46 – I will speak of your testimonies
• V47 – I will find my delight in your commandments
• V48 – I will lift up my hands toward your commandments
• V48 – I will meditate on your statutes

In verse 44, the psalmist declares that the reality of God’s mercy and lovingkindness will enable him to live uprightly “forever and ever.” In verse 45 he describes the righteous life as walking “in a wide place.” He doesn’t see God’s rules and commands as restrictive but rather as guardrails with a great expanse between allowing room for individuality and creativity. In his mind, that is true freedom. In verse 46 he declares that no matter who or when he is ready to openly speak of the greatness of his God and God’s Word (even if it might be before kings).

47for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love.
48I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.

Psalm 119:47–48 (ESV)

Sometimes, I don’t like what I read in God’s Word because it reveals something ugly in me, illuminates my sin, or it tells me what I don’t want to do. But here at the end of the stanza, the psalmist lifts his hands in worship, declares his unfaltering devotion for God’s Word, and pauses to allow God to speak.
– This is The Way

Questions to Ponder

1. When has the Word of God significantly enlightened or impassioned you? Can you point to the passage or recite it? Where were you when it happened?
2. What was the result of that experience with the Word? Did the feelings move you to action? What did you do or are you doing about it?
3. What would be different in you and your future life if you would take action on what God has already been speaking to you about – right now?

IF YOU ARE JUST STARTING AND WANT TO GO BACK AND READ THE PREVIOUS POSTS IN THIS SERIES