Monday, January 29, 2018

Psalm 119 (qof)

Summary: The psalmist pleads for God's help in following His teachings. He knows they are good for him, but that he can't do it alone.

Response: Had a bit of paradigm shift today. I don't just follow God's will by reading the Bible. I also read the Bible to find God's will. It might be a "duh" to you, but I needed that this morning.

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Psalm 119 (tsade)

Summary: The psalmist regards the Law as just and fair. He feels insignificant without following its teachings and is only saved by doing so.

Response: I hear a lot that I agree with. I know that following God is the right thing to do. I wonder if I always put God and myself in the proper context (me way down and not in charge, Him the opposite) and do so joyfully.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Psalm 119 (pe)

Summary: The psalmist claims he follows the Law because it is so great. Be believes he would gain God's favor by learning from Him His teachings.

Response:
I hear that last verse very clearly, where the psalmist worries about those who don't follow God's Law.

I wonder why. Is it that we lose life that God finds valuable? Is it the action itself that is wept over? Is it a hindrance to his own obedience? I wonder how often I ask God to give me His insight into loving those around me that are hard to love.

Monday, January 22, 2018

Psalm 119 (ayin)

Summary: The psalmist claims his innocence and demands salvation; likewise, he claims his enemies' guilt and demands punishment.

Response: I hear quite a bit about what people have done. I wonder if the demands wouldn't strike me so harshly if there wasn't a bit of adoration-type language included as well.

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Psalm 119 (samek)

Summary: The psalmist follows God's laws, but wishes he didn't have to try to follow them without persecution. Furthermore, he acknowledges that fear of God's judgement is a big factor in the psalmist's decision to follow God.

Response:
I hear both of those reasons about the decision to follow God (I do it so I don't get punished; I'd do it better if others would back off).
I wonder if either are legitimate. Like yeah, you can feel however, but we say over and over that God [John 3:17 here], and that we go through suffering to get us closer to God.

Lord, help me to follow You in my situation, not around, outside of, or in spite of it.

Monday, January 8, 2018

Psalm 119 (nun)

Summary: The psalmist praises God's word like a guiding light or one's greatest treasure. They need that word to guide them through great troubles.

Response:
I hear that we're keeping a student-oriented tone, confirming that learning is super important and continually happening; that there is reliance on God's instructions to keep them safe; and that, in the last verse, the notes say they chose to "turn their hearts" to be able to follow those instructions.

I wonder if I'm taking all of that to heart; if it will ever get easier to push into the word.