Today's Word of Encouragement

INSPIRED SCRIPTURE INSPIRES
Monday, April 04, 2020

     The 'He' (H) section of Psalm 119 (vv. 33-40) is a series of prayers for insight, instruction, guidance, and strength, all coming from the Word of God. Note the requests the author makes:

     teach me . . . give me . . . make me . . . incline my heart . . . turn away my eyes . . . establish Your word . . . turn away my reproach . . . revive me.

     These are activities the writer acknowledges only God can do in his life. The means through which these requests are fulfilled is through the study and application of God's Word. In other words, the author of this psalm realizes his utter dependence upon God and His Word for:

    a life that is pleasing to the Lord (v. 33),
    guidance throughout his life (v. 34),
    joy in obedience as his life's goal (v. 35),
    guarding his heart from the love of money (v. 36),
    blinding his eyes to empty pursuits (v. 37),
    cultivating a holy reverence for God (v. 38),
    blunting the scorn of others for his loyalty to God (v. 39), and
    renewed strength and courage to keep his covenant with God (v. 40).

     The inspired Word of God inspires and enables the student of God's Word to rise above the 'ordinary' Christian life to achieve a level of holy dependence upon God for all things virtuous and righteous. May we have that same passion for the Scriptures that will inspire us to be wholly dependent upon God and His Word for these same qualities and characteristics in our daily life.

Pastor Martin