I collapse in the dirt. Revive me with your word. I told you about my ways and you answered me. Teach me your statutes. Help me to understand what your precepts mean. I collapse from grief. Sustain me by your word. Remove me from the path of deceit. Graciously give me your law. I choose the path of faithfulness; I am committed to your regulations. I hold fast to your rules. O Lord, do not let me be ashamed. I run along the path of your commands, for you enable me to do so.
Psalm 119:25-32
New English Translation
Here's how David felt:
I choose the path of faithfulness,
but seem to end up on the path of deceit.
Here’s how we might say it today:
I set my soul’s GPS,
but my heart is horribly out of alignment.
Photo by Aubrey Odom-Mabey on Unsplash
Reality.
We have three choices. The first two are the most common. The last one is the path Jesus lovingly invites us to take.
Quit trying: collapse from grief in the dirt, and resign oneself to life on the other side of God’s guardrails, convinced that he’s given up on you.
Fake it: become the great pretender, smile at church and make all the right declarations.
Walk humbly: accept the lovingkindness and mercy of God, and seek to become a companion to others in their struggles.
Photo by roya ann miller on Unsplash
Note: Every other week the Blue Spigot begins with a section of Psalm 119, a prayer from David that serves well as our prayer, asking God to rekindle in us a love for his word – both the Living Word, Jesus Christ, and the written version (the Bible). Pray it aloud. Pray it thoughtfully. And pray it several times over the next two weeks.
Benediction of Blessing
May you choose the path of faithfulness as you learn from the One who invites you to walk with Him.
May you learn from your mistakes – be they frequent and/or foolish – and give yourself the grace that God has extended to you.
May you run in the path of God’s commands because he has set your heart free.
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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. TM
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