Reading: Psalm 119
My Verses: "Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to selfish gain!
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways" (Psalm 119:32 - 37).
I am struck by how frequently David prays for himself! I keep thinking that I am being selfish by crying out to You, LORD God to get me through my day! But that seems to be what the Psalms are! A constant cry to You to teach us, guide us, lead us, turn our thoughts to You, keep us away from all that distracts! If David is any example, and I believe he is one of the best, then I am to unabashedly cry out to You, to pray for myself!
I remember reading of a man who happened to listen in on the prayer of a fellow believer. The listener was amazed to hear how much of the fellow believer's prayer was for himself - seeking guidance and wisdom. The listener greatly admired this praying man. He said it was a great encouragement for him to spend time in prayer for himself!
I need to take a lesson here. So often I spend much time praying for everyone but myself. I think I need to power through, that I should not be so needy! But here in this Psalm David is constantly praying for himself!
"May my heart be blameless in your statutes" (119:80).
"I am yours, save me" (119:94).
"I am your servant, give me understanding" (119:125).
"give me understanding, that I may live" (119:144).
"With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD" (119:145)!
"I rise before dawn and cry for help" (119:146).
"Look on my affliction and deliver me" (119:153).
I truly believe that not only is all of scripture "God breathed", it is also for my edification, for my instruction. (2 Timothy 3:16) So many spend much time seeking out the world's wisdom but that will pass away! "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away" (Matthew 24:25). "Forever, O LORD, your Word is firmly fixed in the heavens" (119:89).
Your Word is also alive and sharper than any two-edged sword! (Hebrews 4:12) It is refreshing and healing to me each time I read it. It helps me to think rightly.
Thank You, LORD God, for this permission to pray for myself. Help me today to look to You constantly, gladly and without hesitation! Help me to pray fervently and earnestly as did Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:10.
"Jabez cried to the God of Israel, saying, Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and You would keep me from evil so it might not hurt me! And God granted his request."
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verses: "Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to selfish gain!
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways" (Psalm 119:32 - 37).
I am struck by how frequently David prays for himself! I keep thinking that I am being selfish by crying out to You, LORD God to get me through my day! But that seems to be what the Psalms are! A constant cry to You to teach us, guide us, lead us, turn our thoughts to You, keep us away from all that distracts! If David is any example, and I believe he is one of the best, then I am to unabashedly cry out to You, to pray for myself!
I remember reading of a man who happened to listen in on the prayer of a fellow believer. The listener was amazed to hear how much of the fellow believer's prayer was for himself - seeking guidance and wisdom. The listener greatly admired this praying man. He said it was a great encouragement for him to spend time in prayer for himself!
I need to take a lesson here. So often I spend much time praying for everyone but myself. I think I need to power through, that I should not be so needy! But here in this Psalm David is constantly praying for himself!
"May my heart be blameless in your statutes" (119:80).
"I am yours, save me" (119:94).
"I am your servant, give me understanding" (119:125).
"give me understanding, that I may live" (119:144).
"With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD" (119:145)!
"I rise before dawn and cry for help" (119:146).
"Look on my affliction and deliver me" (119:153).
I truly believe that not only is all of scripture "God breathed", it is also for my edification, for my instruction. (2 Timothy 3:16) So many spend much time seeking out the world's wisdom but that will pass away! "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away" (Matthew 24:25). "Forever, O LORD, your Word is firmly fixed in the heavens" (119:89).
Your Word is also alive and sharper than any two-edged sword! (Hebrews 4:12) It is refreshing and healing to me each time I read it. It helps me to think rightly.
Thank You, LORD God, for this permission to pray for myself. Help me today to look to You constantly, gladly and without hesitation! Help me to pray fervently and earnestly as did Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:10.
"Jabez cried to the God of Israel, saying, Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and You would keep me from evil so it might not hurt me! And God granted his request."
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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