This is The Way – Devo Day 30

Yodh – Pslam 119:73-80

73 Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word.
75 I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.
78 Let the insolent be put to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehood; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you turn to me, that they may know your testimonies.
80 May my heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame!

Psalm 119:73–80 (ESV)

The yodh stanza represents the small Hebrew letter Jesus referred to as an “iota” in Matthew 5:18: “For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”

73 Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

Psalm 119:73 (ESV)

The psalmist declares at the outset that God is the Creator. This is also an important statement for us to come to because it’s easy to rush past and miss its significance. To say that God is the creator (“your hands have made and fashioned me“) and believe it implies:

1. That God is the designer and implementer of everything that is.
2. That God created it and sustains it by the power of His Word. (spoken into existence)
3. That God is the source of all life.
4. That God knows us better than we know ourselves both as a species and individually.
5. That this physical existence is connected to a larger invisible reality.
6. That God fashioned us speaks of His attention to detail, His creativity, and His purposes (He is hands-on).
7. That the fingerprints of God are all over creation but it is only humanity that was created in the image of God “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Genesis 1:26a (ESV) Mankind is the image-bearer of God to creation and we Christians are the image-bearer of Christ to the world.
8. That God gave man dominion over His creation saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:28 (ESV)

The psalmist knows that his understanding of God as Creator will have a direct effect on his willingness and effort in obeying God’s Word. He also seems to know that he won’t be able to do this on his own, he knows he must learn to obey, to follow, and calls on God, his Creator, to help him. This is a great perspective and attitude for us as well.

74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word.

Psalm 119:74 (ESV)

The psalmist understands that as God-followers we are encouraged by the example of other believers that are successful in their devotion and obedience to God. There is also a sober reminder in this as well – others are watching. Our lives, our words, our actions are living witnesses to our faith, both positively and negatively. The way we choose, the way we live matters for the sake of the Kingdom.

75 I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.

Psalm 119:75–77 (ESV)

It is clear here that the psalmist’s devotion to God’s Word has given him God’s direction, comfort, and mercies even when he is experiencing adversity. He knows that he can depend on the promises of God and that brings a security that is comforting. The psalmist prays that God’s mercy would sustain him as he delights in God’s truth. This is a great example for us – he is focusing on God and His Word rather than the adversity he is facing.

78 Let the insolent be put to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehood; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you turn to me, that they may know your testimonies.
80 May my heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame!

Psalm 119:78–80 (ESV)

He prayed that he may live so that he may continue to delight in God’s laws. On the other hand, he asks that the insolent (the proud) be put to shame because they have maligned him with lies for no cause. He does not focus on righting the wrong or defending himself but rather turns to God’s Word for solace and help. He asks that his experience of God’s mercy in the midst of this attack show all the godly the comfort, peace, and blessing that comes with the of keeping God’s Word. He concludes his prayer asking God to help him be that kind of witness.

Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word.
– This is The Way

Psalm 119:74 (ESV)

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. How does your view of God as Creator factor into your value of God’s Word? What example from your life would you cite as proof?
2. What comfort and wisdom have you found in the Scriptures during times of adversity or attack? Have you ever encouraged someone else with those Scriptures?
3. When has your dependence on God’s Word in spite of your circumstances influenced someone in a positive way? When has your witness been poor detracting from God’s truth and denying its authority?

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