Psalm 119[a]
Aleph
1 Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the Lord.
2 Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts.
3 They do not compromise with evil,
and they walk only in his paths.
4 You have charged us
to keep your commandments carefully.
5 Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your decrees!
6 Then I will not be ashamed
when I compare my life with your commands.
7 As I learn your righteous regulations,
I will thank you by living as I should!
8 I will obey your decrees.
Please don’t give up on me!
Dear God, verse 7 was the verse of the day on Bible Gateway, but it actually really works for this psalm to be a scripture I look at for today because I am going to the Poetry Society of Texas Annual Summer Conference tonight in Denton with my wife and this psalm has a special poetic dimension to it. The note that goes with the [a] next to the psalm title says, “This psalm is a Hebrew acrostic poem; there are twenty-two stanzas, one for each successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of the eight verses within each stanza begins with the Hebrew letter named in its heading.” I’m not going to do all 22 stanzas this morning, but I thought I would at least look at the stanza that includes verse 7.
Now, back to this passage. I participated in the graduation for the Christian Men’s Life Skills class last night, and it was remarkable. What has blown me away is the relationships between the men and how much some of them are clinging to this and to you right now. They are hungry and they need fed. The seeds planted are looking for good soil in which to take root. These verses reflect the state of many of their hearts right now. Of course the rains will fall. The wind will blow. When they come, will they come against lives that are established with deep roots? I pray for their roots right now. I pray for their soil. I pray that you will also help me to weed my own soil. Help your seeds to find good soil in me and develop deep roots.
Father, I have the words to “I Need Thee Every Hour” and its chorus going through my head: “I need thee, oh I need thee. Every hour I need thee. O bless me now, my Savior. I come to thee.” Bless me, my savior. Bless these men. Bless their families. We need thee every hour.
I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,
Amen
Emails to God 