EmmDev 2020-11-27 [Walk between the Lines] A prayer at the end

A prayer at the end

We've reached the last stanza of Psalm 119 (the letter "Taw".) The letter "Taw" can mean a mark, sign, "x" or cross (think of a signature on a document), ownership, to seal, to covenant, to join two things together or the last...

And this stanza is very much a "signing off."

And I have a confession to make... The psalmist is braver than I am. I have stressed about sending you 22 eDevotions on just one topic. The psalmist's poem is 22 stanzas times 8 verses each: a total of 176 verses on the value and importance of God's Word. I was afraid that people would be saying "yes, yes we get it: God's Word is important. Now move on!"

The psalmist has relentlessly reflected, exhorted, prayed, admonished and set the example concerning God's Word and the glory of the God who gives it to us.

Why? Because it's important.

So, here in the closing stanza there's one last prayer.
I think it's a good prayer to pray after personal devotions.
Here's my paraphrase:

• Help me apply what I've read (understanding)
• Help me to trust the promises You give me (supplication & promises)
• Let me speak and live for Your glory by living well (lips praise because Your decrees teach me)
• May obeying You be my song (tongue singing of Your righteous commands)
• Please help me as I walk in the path of Your precepts.

I think a summary is in order: The Psalmist is not a biblicist - he doesn't worship the Bible - he worships God and wants to live for His glory. He sees Scripture as a vital inspiration on the path of knowing God. It reveals God's character and guides our steps. He loves Scripture because it brings him closer to God.

May my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word. May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise. May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous. May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight. Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me. I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.      (Psalms119:169-176)

I hope the series has been helpful and has been an inspiration (or a nagging reminder!) that Christians are people of the Book for the Glory of God.

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EmmDev 2020-11-26 [Walk between the Lines]

Completely Devoted

Today we get two letters for the price of one... Depending on whether you put a dot above the left or right "arm" of this letter, you get an "s"(sin) or a "sh"(shin) sound. This partially accounts for the very wide range of associations for this letter which are teeth, ivory, the point of a rock, a peak, devour, consume, destroy, sharp or El Shaddai (which is one of the Hebrew titles for God - "Lord of the Armies/Multitude").

There aren't any solid or obvious links to the meanings of shin/sin and shin except maybe to say that he starts with the "teeth" (those who persecute him) and he turns to the Law which is the "rock" or "peak" for him. He then "devours" the Law (loves the law and praises seven times a day) and he ends with the idea that all his ways are known to the Lord.

But I have to say that this feels a little forced...

What does come through very clearly is his affection/devotion/love for God's Word and the joy and peace he gets from it.
Here are just a few of his phrases:
- I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.
- I love your law.
- Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.
- Great peace have they who love your law,
- I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly.
- I obey your precepts and your statutes

And all this in the face of trouble and hardship...

May we, in these challenging times, read God's Word with more joy and delight than ever.

Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word. 162 I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil. 163 I hate and abhor falsehood but I love your law. 164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws. 165 Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. 166 I wait for your salvation, O LORD, and I follow your commands. 167 I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly. 168 I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.      (Psalms119:162-168)

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EmmDev 2020-11-24 [Walk between the Lines] See

See

The letter "Reysh", has to do with the head. Whereas the preceding letter "Qoph" is about what is in the "back-of-mind" "Resch" is about what's "top-of-mind", most important, highest and chief of all.

There are three things that are striking in this strophe:

1. There is a very real connection, not only to the Word of God, but more importantly, to the God of the Word. Here in this "chief" stanza, the Psalmist turns to the Lord in his trouble, describes God as great in compassion and declares his fealty to Him.
   
2. The verb Ra-ah ("See/Perceive) appears three times.
   - He asks God to see his situation. (v.153)
   - He looks on the faithless with loathing (v.158)
   - He asks "See my love for your precepts" (v.159)
   
3. The final line is the crescendo: The "head/top/chief" of God's Word is truth and that His laws are eternal...

This strophe reveals the balance the Psalmist has. It is not only legalism, but relationship, but in this relationship he understands that God's Word is Truth and that his own life has to be conformed accordingly.

This allows him, not only to call on God in the midst of trouble, but also gives him a meaningful life to live.

Look upon my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law. 154 Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise. 155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees. 156 Your compassion is great, O LORD; preserve my life according to your laws. 157 Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes. 158 I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word. 159 See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your love. 160 All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.      (Psalms119:153-160)

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EmmDev 2020-11-20 [Walk between the Lines] Always on my mind...

Always on my mind...

The next two letters of the Hebrew alphabet both have to do with the head. One might even say that today's letter ("Qoph") is about what is in the "back-of-mind" and that the next letter ("Resch") is about what's "top-of-mind".

Look at the settings/contexts described in this strophe:
- When he calls out to the Lord
- Before dawn
- In the watches of the night
- When the wicked are near
- Since long ago

And what does he do in these settings?
- He obeys wholeheartedly
- He keeps God's statutes
- He meditates on God's promises
- He's confident that God's Law will preserve His life
- He believes that God's Word is trustworthy and true.

And all of this happens in a very relational way. It isn't sterile legalism but it's as though the beauty of God's Law assures the Psalmist of God's character. He calls out to God throughout this strophe and hopes in Him and experiences God's nearness through His Word.

All of this because the Psalmist has God's Word as part of his life. He thinks about God throughout the day and meditates on God's promises.

May we so commune with God's Word that it will always be part of our life and in our minds...

I call with all my heart; answer me, O LORD, and I will obey your decrees. 146 I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes. 147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. 148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. 149 Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your laws. 150 Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law. 151 Yet you are near, O LORD, and all your commands are true. 152 Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.      (Psalms119:145-152)

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EmmDev 2020-11-19 TYPO CORRECTION [Walk between the Lines] Hooked on God's Word

Hi everyone - there was a typo in the last line... Sorry. Thanks to BrianD for spotting it!

Hooked on God's Word

The letter "Tsadhe" has a wide range of connotations. It's associated with a fish-hook and all the thoughts that go with a lure: To pull or draw in, something inescapable or desirable. As such it also represents trouble and hunting. On a completely different tack it can also imply righteousness.

Not many of us can stay up late and get up early. There are some things that we are willing to "burn the candle at both ends" for.

The Psalmist will do it for God's Word.

He is in need of help. He is looking for answers. His enemies who devise wicked schemes are near and he is under pressure. He makes a decision to spend time with God's Word. He chooses a lifestyle where he can begin and end each day with a reflection on God's Word.

The idea of a "quiet time" - a time we set aside to read the Bible, reflect on it and pray - is not new. Throughout the centuries this discipline is has been seen as a fundamental to meaningful spiritual growth. These days of traffic, rush and scurry militate against our spending time with God like this, but as we find (make) time to eat and wash, we should be finding (making) time to read and reflect on God's Word and talk to Him in prayer.

The Psalmist's practice is helpful. He uses the parallels of morning and evening to highlight the basic framework. So,

• Rise early and at night, keep your eyes open.
• Cry for help, put your hope in the Word, meditate on the promises.
• It does not need to take long - go for quality and not quantity.
• Once you get into it, you will be amazed at how refreshing it is to body and soul.

Over 37 years of following Christ, I have found a clear pattern: I become selfish, ineffective, unproductive and lack courage when I neglect the daily routine. But I grow spiritually, handle challenges better and am more of a blessing to others when I have a simple daily pray-read-meditate routine in place.

God's Word leads us to His righteousness - we can take this "bait" or our enemies will hunt us...

Righteous are you, O LORD, and your laws are right. 138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy. 139 My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words. 140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. 141 Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts. 142 Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true. 143 Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight. 144 Your statutes are forever right; give me understanding that I may live.      (Psalms119:137-144)

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EmmDev 2020-11-19 [Walk between the Lines] Hooked on God's Word

Hooked on God's Word

The letter "Tsadhe" has a wide range of connotations. It's associated with a fish-hook and all the thoughts that go with a lure: To pull or draw in, something inescapable or desirable. As such it also represents trouble and hunting. On a completely different tack it can also imply righteousness.

Not many of us can stay up late and get up early. There are some things that we are willing to "burn the candle at both ends" for.

The Psalmist will do it for God's Word.

He is in need of help. He is looking for answers. His enemies who devise wicked schemes are near and he is under pressure. He makes a decision to spend time with God's Word. He chooses a lifestyle where he can begin and end each day with a reflection on God's Word.

The idea of a "quiet time" - a time we set aside to read the Bible, reflect on it and pray - is not new. Throughout the centuries this discipline is has been seen as a fundamental to meaningful spiritual growth. These days of traffic, rush and scurry militate against our spending time with God like this, but as we find (make) time to eat and wash, we should be finding (making) time to read and reflect on God's Word and talk to Him in prayer.

The Psalmist's practice is helpful. He uses the parallels of morning and evening to highlight the basic framework. So,

• Rise early and at night, keep your eyes open.
• Cry for help, put your hope in the Word, meditate on the promises.
• It does not need to take long - go for quality and not quantity.
• Once you get into it, you will be amazed at how refreshing it is to body and soul.

Over 37 years of following Christ, I have found a clear pattern: I become selfish, ineffective, unproductive and lack courage when I neglect the daily routine. But I grow spiritually, handle challenges better and am more of a blessing to others when I have a simple daily pray-read-meditate routine in place.

God's Word leads us to His righteousness - we can take this "bait" or our enemies will hunt us...

Righteous are you, O LORD, and your laws are right. 138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy. 139 My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words. 140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. 141 Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts. 142 Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true. 143 Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight. 144 Your statutes are forever right; give me understanding that I may live.      (Psalms119:137-144)

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EmmDev 2020-11-18 [Walk between the Lines] Prayer after reading

Prayer after reading

The letter for this stanza is "Peh" and traditionally it has represented a mouth, an opening, an entrance with the idea of speaking, opening and beginning but it can also imply the present "here and now..."

This is a very wide range of meanings!

The stanza gives one the feeling that the Psalmist has reflected on God's Word and is now praying for help to put it all into practice...

He starts off by recognising that God's Word gives light and understanding (v129,130) and then describes something I have become familiar with: The more we read God's Word the more we want it.

The psalmist describes it as panting, but it is not like the stamps that pimps coat with narcotics so that kids become addicts unwittingly, but rather a conscious voluntary longing. The Psalmist reads and knows that the experience is good and longs for more.

Here we have what I like to call his "prayer after reading"

• Have mercy on me: Scripture reveals that God alone can save us.
• Direct my footsteps: The Word has shown the way, let me walk in it.
• Let no sin rule over me: Someone said "This Book will keep you from sin, but sin will keep you from this Book"
• Redeem me from the oppression of men: Resistance from men can discourage us greatly
• Make Your face shine on me: I struggle to stay motivated, please reassure me of Your presence and empowering.

The stanza ends a picture of how his soul has been transformed. The law isn't external anymore - it's in his heart - and his heart breaks when God's law is disobeyed.

Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. 132 Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. 133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. 134 Redeem me from the oppression of men, that I may obey your precepts. 135 Make your face shine upon your servant and teach me your decrees. 136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.      (Psalms119:129-136)

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EmmDev 2020-11-17 [Walk between the Lines] Seeing and Understanding

Seeing and Understanding

In this stanza (vv121-128) the lines start with the letter "Ayin" which is associated to the eye, seeing, looking, appearing, understanding and experiencing.

The Psalmist speaks about those who are oppressing him and about the temptation to walk a wrong path. The situation is getting desperate: His eyes are failing as he is looking for God's salvation and he is longing for God's promise.

In these desperate situations we often lose clarity and direction. Our ability to discern is often impeded and we can make poor judgement calls. So the psalmist sorts out his attitude and prays for discernment.

The attitude adjustment is to remind himself that he is a servant. -Servants don't demand their rights.
-Servants don't always get to see the full picture.
-Servants need to trust the Master.
-Servants are ready to respond obediently.
-Servants aren't too stuck up about their dignity and their egos.

With the attitude sorted out, he prays for discernment:
-The ability to apply Scripture's wisdom to day to day life.
-The ability to see between right and wrong.
-The sensitivity to suss out motives and agendas.
-Discernment grows through good exposure to Scripture.

The end result?
vs: 128 Because I consider all Your precepts right, I hate every wrong path.

I have done what is righteous and just; do not leave me to my oppressors. 122 Ensure your servant's well-being; let not the arrogant oppress me. 123 My eyes fail, looking for your salvation, looking for your righteous promise. 124 Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees. 125 I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes. 126 It is time for you to act, O LORD; your law is being broken. 127 Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold, 128 and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path.      (Psalms119:121-128)

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EmmDev 2020-11-13 [Walk between the Lines] Propped up

Propped up

The letter Samekh is associated with a prop or support. To me the letter looks a bit like the loops of material I used to fasten my tomato plant to the scaffold I supported them with...

This strophe (113-120) sets up some interesting contrasts:
On the one side is God who is a refuge, a shield, a sustainer, a promise-keeper, a deliverer and a hope-preserver.

On the other side are double-minded people who stray and deceive and will be discarded like dross for the vanity of their ways.

Why is the Psalmist not like them?
He is propped up by God's Word:
- He loves God's law (v113)
- He puts his hope in God's Word (v114)
- He distances evildoers so that he can keep God's commands (v115)
- He is sustained by God's promises (v116)
- He has regard for God's decrees (v117)
- He rejects those who stray from God's decrees (v118)
- He loves God's Statutes (v119)
- He stands in awe of God's laws (v120)

Look at the "support" words we find here: Refuge. Shield. Hope. Sustain. Uphold. Delivered.

When we are on the throne of our lives, we are self-referencing and double-minded. We are Unstable and Volatile people. We can come unstuck easily.

BUT, when we love God's Word and lean on it as our support, we can become stable people. We can lose the double-mindedness and instability.

Our respect for God makes us take His Word seriously and His Word "props us up" and helps us to see Him even more clearly and respect Him even more. It's an upward Spiral.

113 I hate double-minded men, but I love your law. 114 You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. 115 Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God! 116 Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed. 117 Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees. 118 You reject all who stray from your decrees, for their deceitfulness is in vain. 119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross; therefore I love your statutes. 120 My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.      (Psalms119:113-120)

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EmmDev 2020-11-12 [Walk between the Lines] Spreading, Action and Heritage

Spreading, Action and Heritage

The letter "Nun", which starts the first words of each line in our next Psalm 119 strophe, has a variety of associations and meanings: "A fish, to sprout, to spread, offspring, descendant, action, life, heir to the throne and faithfulness."

Today's strophe displays similarly diverse thoughts...

Spreading:
Verses 105, 110 and 112 have the idea of spreading: In v.110 the wicked give/spread a net or snare. But in v.105 God's word is a lamp ("neir") that spreads light for our feet. The important principle is that if we want to see further, we have to take some steps... But when he does, we see in verse 112 that his heart is stretched out (set) on keeping God's laws...

Actions:
Verses 106-108 are about actions: Even though he has "suffered much", he has "taken an oath" and offers the "willing praise" of his mouth".

Heritage:
In verse 111 we have the idea that God's Word is his heritage and what he will pass on to his descendants...

Can you think of times that God's Word has spread out light to your feet and kept your from the snares spread out before you?
Or were that there times that, even though you have suffered, God's Word inspired you to keep your vows or to offer praise?

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. 106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. 107 I have suffered much; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word. 108 Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws. 109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law. 110 The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts. 111 Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. 112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.      (Psalms119:105-112)

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EmmDev 2020-11-11 [Walk between the Lines] Respect

Respect

Today we're at the letter "Mem" which is associated with large bodies of water or as a source or flow of water (like a stream from a spring).

With regard to meaning of the verses, this strophe has been hard to connect the letter Mem but there were two thoughts that occurred to me... Firstly, from a young age I have loved the sea, but my dad taught me also to have deep respect for it. You could play in its waters, but it could also drag you away. Secondly, we have a modern saying that describes the experience of abundant knowledge or teaching - we say "It feels like we're drinking from a firehose."

I wonder if the Psalmist wasn't feeling like God's Word was a massive mighty ocean which needed to be handled with great respect, but that it was like a strong stream gushing from an abundant stream. Even visually, "Mem" looks like a big dam with a small outlet... (Imagine the pressure of that stream...)

Look at some of the phrases in this strophe:
- I love your law - I meditate on it all day long (Abundance)
- Your commands make me wiser/give me more insight) (Strong stream)
- I have kept my feet... I have not departed (Deep Respect)
- Sweet Honey ... (Nourishing stream)
- Gain Understanding yet hate wrong paths (Stream and Respect)

Read through the strophe for yourself imagining the ocean and an abundant stream/firehose...

Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.      (Psalms119:97-104)

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EmmDev 2020-11-03 [Walk between the Lines] Shepherded by God's guidelines

Hi Everyone

Two things:

1. Apologies for the break in devotions - it has taken me a while to change gear.
I hope you enjoyed the month of mission devotions.

2. We return to our series on Psalm 119 where each stanza has 8 verses starting with the next letter in the Hebrew Alphabet. We started with Alef and we are now all the way through to "Lamed". Visually, Lamed looks a bit like a shepherd's crook. The letter is associated with the work of a shepherd: controlling, prodding, urging and protecting, but it also refers to the verbal aspects of shepherd-like nurturing: Teaching and Learning.

Shepherded by God's guidelines

In a world where change just seems to happen faster and faster and faster, we need some constants. God's Word and God's Faithfulness are our constants. We are guided by God's precepts and preserved by His law.

Even in affliction and the attack of the wicked, the Psalmist finds comfort and support in God's Word.

Look at his approach to God's word.
He has delighted in God's Law.
He has not forgotten but sought out God's precepts.
He will ponder God's statutes.

If we bear the Lamed shepherding image in mind then the words "Law", "Precepts" and "Statutes" are helpful because they imply the guidance that God's Word provides.

There are two lines that grab me:

1. "If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction." (The implication is that a deep foundation in God's Word will sustain one through trouble.)
2. "To all perfection I see a limit; but your commands are boundless." (There are many voices and many theories and some very clever people out there - but ultimate truth comes from God's Word.)

So this strophe reminds us of the eternal faithfulness of God and urges us to be teachable so that His Word can shepherd our souls...

Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. 90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. 91 Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you. 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 preserved my life. 94 Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out your precepts. 95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes. 96 To all perfection I see a limit; but your commands are boundless.      (Psalms119:89-96)

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