Morning Moments

[Pey] 3. The power of the word unto wisdom (119:129–136). The testimonies of the Lord are “wonderful,” i.e., superhuman in their excellence. Their sublimity and mystery are what attracts the psalmist to them. The unfolding of that word equips the simple who need instruction to discern between right and wrong. He craved this wisdom food, and opened his mouth to receive it. He boldly suggests that those who love God’s name are entitled to his mercy. He asks for guidance so that he might avoid both temptation from within and trial from without. He urges God to redeem him from oppressors so that he may freely practice his faith. He asks that God might illuminate the darkness that surrounds him with the light of his presence. The righteous indignation which he feels at one moment for the lawlessness of men (v. 53) is tempered here by profound sorrow and pity.
Smith, J. E. (1996). The wisdom literature and Psalms (Ps 119:113-168). Joplin, Mo.: College Press Pub. Co.

Psalm 119:129-136

The section of the psalm is subtitled by the Hebrew letter PE or Pey

The leadership of the Holy Spirit is critical to the life of faith. In fact, it IS the life of faith, guided by the Scriptures. I like the Net Bible translation of these verses, so I will use them for our devotion today.

129 Your rules are marvelous. Therefore I observe them.

If you wish to determine a rebellious person, watch the response when that person is issued a command. No one in authority HAS to ask you “the right way”. Get over it! We live in a world that resists and rebels against rules. Check for the handicap sticker or tag in marked parking places. Check the folks who drive right up to the curb of a store that is clearly marked “no parking” and watch them remain there while shopping. There are a thousand other ways we prove the rebellion that is in our hearts against rules.

The psalmist, who, by the way, has a heart for God, says, “The rules you have reiterated, gone over again and again are absolutely miraculous, marvelous, things to be wondered at. That is why I guard them in my heart.

Think of it this way: You are madly in love with someone who is far away from you. You receive a love letter from that person. You will read it and re-read it until it is fixed in your memory because of the love for the person, you love the word of the love letter.

130 Your instructions are a doorway through which light shines. They give insight to the untrained.

“The words you write to me, my love, open the door to your heart and lets the light of your thoughts and feelings shine before my very eyes.” Some of us guys miss so much about Bible study because we do not have a romantic bone in our bodies. The thoughts of your head are not nearly as important to the one you love and who loves you as the tenderness of your heart.

Some of us guys are mean when God wants us to be mellow. We are too often tough when we need to learn to be tender. The people we love want to hear and be shown we love them...especially our LORD!

131 I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commands.

Did you ever just drool over someone? “Oh my God,” he said, “I could just eat her up”. “As the deer pants for the water-brook, so pants my soul after Thee, O God”. Then this precious man who has been through the fire says, “Your wish is my command.” This is an amazing kind of love that brings us to the place of perfect surrender and absolute servitude to the desires and directions of another.

Honestly, is that the way we long for the love and leadership and commands and corrections of GOD? If not, we must repent.

In the name of “you just don't understand,” we disregard the commands of God and go to church and sing about how we love the Lord – THAT is bologna!
132 Turn toward me and extend mercy to me, as you typically do to your loyal followers.

There is indeed a wideness in God's mercy. He does and will show mercy even in His wrath (which most of us deny). We who belong to Him are not condemned, but we are chastened as proof of His love, so the psalmist says, “Look at me, turn toward me and show me that you will not give me what I deserve, but what you desire. Correct me but don't forget me.

The song says, “I think we can make it – one more time.” How often after failing Him, I have cried out to Him for a re-consideration, another chance. I miss the mark at times, but through those times, I learn to take better aim, and with every miss, the hits improve. By the way, what is your target?

133 Direct my steps by your word! Do not let any sin dominate me!

“Lord, I hate sin because You hate it to the extent that You condemned sin, by sending You Son in the flesh. But I love you with all my heart! May Your Word direct me in the path of righteousness for Your Name's sake, and do not allow sin to dominate me for my desire is that YOU dominate or have control over me.” WOW! What an expression of love for Jesus!

134 Deliver me from oppressive men, so that I can keep your precepts.

“Save me from those who would exploit, extort, exasperate, or exacerbate me. I only wish to honor and respond positively to Your oversight.” In our lives, there are always those who would distract, detour, and damage us, but we must not give way to them. Jesus set His face as a flint toward Jerusalem. He remained focused through all the cursing and crushing. Because He did, and He lives in us, by His presence and power we can too.

135 Smile on your servant! Teach me your statutes!

The smile of the Lord brings pleasure to the servant and the son. I remember so often instructing our children, then watching them follow those instructions which brought such joy to my heart and placed a smile of pleasure on my lips. “Teach me, dear LORD, and I will learn and let You lead me to an increasing understanding and love for You and Your Word. It is not grievous, but joyful, when I am exercised by the correction and comfort of Your Word.

136 Tears stream down from my eyes, because people do not keep your law.

“Oh, Dear God, my heart breaks for those who do not see that all You want for us is what is best for us. How can we imagine that such a Father would not do right with His children? How can we ever entertain the thought that even when you correct us, it is to protect us, and direct us in the way of righteousness.”

Let these words be the true desire of our hearts, O LORD!

BLESSINGS!