relationships (Psalm 119:129-144) What Empowers You?

(Psalm 119:129-144) 

129 Your testimonies are wonderful;
       Therefore my soul complies with them.
130 The unfolding of Your words gives light;
       It gives understanding to the simple.
131 I opened my mouth wide and panted,
       For I longed for Your commandments.
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
       As is right for those who love Your name.
133 Establish my footsteps in Your word,
       And do not let any wrongdoing have power over me.
134 Redeem me from oppression by man,
       So that I may keep Your precepts.
135 Make Your face shine upon Your servant,
       And teach me Your statutes.
136 My eyes shed streams of water,
       Because they do not keep Your Law.

137 You are righteous, Lord,
       And Your judgments are right.
138 You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness 
       And great faithfulness.
139 My zeal has consumed me,
       Because my enemies have forgotten Your words.
140 Your word is very pure,
       Therefore Your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised,
       Yet I do not forget Your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
       And Your Law is truth.
143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me,
       Yet Your commandments are my delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever;
       Give me understanding that I may live.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

David not only felt sorrow for people who want nothing to do with the Lord, but he felt remorse for his own struggles to keep God's Law.  We should feel sad when those around us live in sin, because they do not know or understand the Lord's salvation, the blessings that we can experience right now, and our certain hope to come.  As for our own struggles with sin, since we already have a close, personal relationship with Jesus, we should feel remorse, because it is a betrayal to Him.  

Jesus suffered and died to pay for all our sins, and rose again so that He could set us free from sin, and give us victory in His priceless, precious gift of righteousness, peace and joy.  To willfully sin would be a little like if your parents had worked hard for many years, and saved every thing they could, denying themselves any luxuries in life, just so they could pay for your university, which would be nonrefundable... but you chose to skip every class and drop out.  Something like that.  You'd still be their child, but one can only imagine the pain and disappointment they would feel.

As David says in verse 141, even though at times we can feel so invincible, we are so very small... and weak!  So in verse 133, just as David asks, we should ask God to not let any wrongdoing have power over us, but to establish us in God's word.  LOVE how David describes the scriptures in verse 130!  The righteous, infallible word of God is a miracle in itself.  Such amazing complexity with so many layers, yet the unfolding of His word gives light, and gives understanding to the simple.  

God's word is wonderful, righteous, pure, truth, unchanging, relevant, giving us light and understanding for every circumstance.  Our delight is not just in reading and studying the Bible, but applying it.  As we learn more about our Lord and Savior, we will look to Him for our constant help and strength in living according to His will.  We are weak, but He is strong.  We should ask ourselves, are we allowing sin to have power over us, or are we living in God's truth using His power?  It is in this, loving God and living in His truth and strength that we will experience His courage, peace and joy!  In this, He will work things out for good!