“My soul clings to the dust;
give me life according to your word!
When I told of my ways, you answered me;
teach me your statutes!
Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word!
Put false ways far from me
and graciously teach me your law!
I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I set your rules before me.
I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
let me not be put to shame!
I will run in the way of your commandments
when you enlarge my heart!
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 119:25-37
The psalmist’s cry is born of wrangling with God’s word. The more he saw of its truth, the more clearly he saw the truth about himself. The brighter its light on its perfect Author, the more personal dark spots it revealed. The more closely it was held in forward focus, the greater his desire to put old ways distantly behind and away. For the earnest believer, God’s ways revealed in His word are a delight to behold and a magnet toward Him. They attract and compel, convict and cleanse.
With His word readily accessible, and God’s Spirit active to enlighten and inspire, how would we define our wrangle? How measures our passion to know and follow? What are we investing to comprehend God’s marvelous and mysterious ways, and then to apply them personally so we’re on their path and in their flow? (John 16:8,13)
The imploring to understand is matched by commitment to meditate. A choice for faithfulness is a choice to keep God’s precepts before us and in charge. We must fling off the dust we once clung to in order to cling to His truth. A divided heart must be re-inclined to be whole for the Lord. Eyes can be directed only one place, and must divert from worthless distractions to focus on His way.
What will it take for me to get off my way and get on His high best way?
“Have thine own way, Lord!
Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter,
I am the clay.
Mold me and make me
after thy will,
while I am waiting,
yielded and still.
Have thine own way, Lord!
Have thine own way!
Search me and try me,
Savior today!
Wash me just now, Lord,
wash me just now,
as in thy presence
humbly I bow.
Have thine own way, Lord!
Have thine own way!
Hold o’er my being
absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit
till all shall see
Christ only, always,
living in me!” ~Adelaide Pollard (1906)
Lord, overtake my every inclination and effort so my delight is Your word and my ways become Yours. May I hasten and not delay to build Your kingdom and honor Your name. (Psalm 119:59-60)
As the rain and snow 