Web Theologian

>105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,to keep your righteous rules.
107 I am severely afflicted;give me life, O Lord, according to your word!
108 Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,and teach me your rules.
109 I hold my life in my hand continually,but I do not forget your law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me,but I do not stray from your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever,for they are the joy of my heart.
112 I incline my heart to perform your statutesforever, to the end.

Running has given me a clear picture of why we would need a lamp for our feet. A few weeks ago I had a very long run on the schedule. It was right after Taitum was born, and she woke us up at 4:00AM. After settling her down and Karin falling back asleep I realized I was wide awake so I decided to start my 20 miler. Most places you run you don’t need a lamp. There are street lights or no trees and the moon and sky light your way. I ran over to Golden Gardens park at the very beginning of my run. This is a beautiful location but I didn’t think through ahead of time that the path down the hill is not lit and tree covered so your are basically running in total blackness. Now I didn’t fall, but came very close twice. I could have used a lamp to light the way in that moment.

God’s words is that which lights our way so that we are able to chart a course. Make an oath and keep it with His strength he gives us. We can risk being very brave even with our life knowing he cares about it even more then we do at times. Our hearts have been changed so that we can honor God and follow his laws.

>97 Oh how I love your law!It is my meditation all the day.
98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,for it is ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,for your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.
101 I hold back my feet from every evil way,in order to keep your word.
102 I do not turn aside from your rules,for you have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through your precepts I get understanding;therefore I hate every false way.

Here is the delight the joy you find. It is not in simply being smarter than others that God gives so that we can look down our nose, but rather wiser. That those things encouraged in his word and especially the law make life better, and give us understand to have patience and perspective on where others are coming from.

One silly example is I don’t think Aidyn, my six year old daughter, would be as good of a reader if we did not read along with her in church every week. We also every Sunday read together as part of our Sabbath. Two very “religious” practices benefit our daughter in her school life. Are there other ways to do the same thing? Yes, but these are worked into a rhythm in which God has called us to live.

This rhythm also makes us delight in good. We long for good. Does this mean we always do it…hell no. But it is at the core desire of our hearts. One friend of mine would always says that you have never met someone who wants to please God more than him, these days I’d argue with him. That is at the core of my life and I have a long way to go in doing it consitantly, and in a way that is not about me, but I want that.

>89 Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand this day,for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my delight,I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,for by them you have given me life.
94 I am yours; save me,for I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,but I consider your testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

The word is fixed in the heavens, because it is important and held up, or so everyone can see? Is the word merely the law or more to it? If there is more to it, then this has some really cool implications for the John 1 passage on the word.

I woke up tired this morning, I have been unable with the wild sleep schedule of having a new baby to run, I don’t like that. My morning times are more interupted then they normally are. Yet this morning to hear that I am appointed to stand, just as these mountains that I am looking at. That God has delight and purpose for me, regardless of running or meditation time or feeling frazzled, I am grateful.

His word is my life. I am encouraged, sent thinking in wonder, and comforted by it. I am grateful this morning for the place he has provided in my heart and life for it. May it grow even more.

>65 You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to your word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.
68 You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.
69 The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
70 their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law.
71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.
72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Just last night I was talking with some folks about how God teaches us. Sometimes it is through suffering, though none of us would wish suffering on ourselves or others. Through God’s word is the other place that God does serious work in our lives. That which we once rebelled against becomes our comfort. I like the way the Psalmist talks about the insolent..thier heart is unfeeling like fat. That is a funny picture to me.

>57 The Lord is my portion;I promise to keep your words.
58 I entreat your favor with all my heart;be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 When I think on my ways,I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60 I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.
61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,I do not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to praise you,because of your righteous rules.
63 I am a companion of all who fear you,of those who keep your precepts.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;teach me your statutes!

I wonder what the Psalmist ‘portion size’ would be, hehe. He is enough, he fits, and leads the Psalmist to make the vow to keep his word. All of htis is not just emotional, in the heart, or knowledge, in the head. Rather it also effects how the Psalmist lives and acts in the word, his actions turn toward the testimonies of the Lord.

None of this has to do with perfection, or walking an easy life. The cords of wicked still ensnare him. Sometimes it is easy to feel that way. You are doing ‘everything’ right, and yet there is still so much wrong around you. It keeps him up at night, not with worry though, but rather praise. His time and energy are committed to others who fear God and want to do what He says.