Tag: statutes

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Wisdom Prayer

Plead for Favor!

Plead for Favor!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who plead for your favor with all their heart. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Ever disappoint someone, and try to make amends? Sometimes there is reconciliation.

Obedience to God’s law is not only about following rules, rather, it is about the condition of a person’s heart.

Psalm 119:57-64 (ESV) has the following phrases: “turn my feet to your testimonies,” “keep your commandments,” and “not forget your law.” The psalmist makes a choice to turn to God.

“The Lord is my portion;
I promise to keep your words.
I entreat your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
When I think on my ways,
I turn my feet to your testimonies;
I hasten and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
I do not forget your law.
At midnight I rise to praise you,
because of your righteous rules.
I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
teach me your statutes!”

Can you relate to the psalmist? Will you make the same choice and turn to God? Don’t hesitate. Have faith.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

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Wisdom Prayer

Selfish Gain!

Selfish Gain!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who say, “Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain.”

Many in today’s culture have become very materialistic. For them, life revolves around their possessions and acquiring more.

Psalm 119:33-40 (ESV) ends with a realignment of priorities. Having a heart for God becomes the priority over selfish gain.

“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!”

Is time to change focus from selfish accumulation? Remember Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13 say,

“You cannot serve both God and money.”

Rather, incline your heart toward God’s testimonies.

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Categories
Wisdom Prayer

Eyes Opened!

Eyes Opened!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who want their eyes opened, that they may behold wondrous things out of your law. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The psalmist asks God to open his eyes. He pleads with God to hide not his commandments.

Psalm 119:17-24 (ESV) is the third section of the psalm identified by the Hebrew letter “Gimel.”

“Deal bountifully with your servant,
that I may live and keep your word.
Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.
I am a sojourner on the earth;
hide not your commandments from me!
My soul is consumed with longing
for your rules at all times.
You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
who wander from your commandments.
Take away from me scorn and contempt,
for I have kept your testimonies.
Even though princes sit plotting against me,
your servant will meditate on your statutes.
Your testimonies are my delight;
they are my counselors.”

Is your soul consumed with wanting to follow God? Take some time, and ask yourself, “Is your soul consumed with the things of God?”

Stop. Reflect. And allow your soul to be consumed.

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Wisdom Prayer

That I Might Not Sin Against You!

That I Might Not Sin Against You!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who say, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” In Jesus’ name, amen.

Psalm 119 is divided into sections. It is an acrostic psalm based on the Hebrew alphabet.

Each letter is given a section. Beginning with a question, Psalm 119:9-16 (ESV) is identified by the Hebrew letter “Beth.” It is the second section.

“How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes!
With my lips I declare
all the rules of your mouth.
In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.”

This second section of the psalm seems to answer the question about how a young man can keep his way pure. Young or old, a person can benefit from meditating and fixing their eyes upon God’s word and his precepts.

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Wisdom Prayer

Lost Sheep?

Lost Sheep?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who feel like they have gone astray like a lost sheep. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In John 10:11 (ESV) Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

In John 10:14: (ESV) Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.”

Psalm 119:169-176 (ESV) involves a cry, a plea, praise, longing for salvation, and a reference to sheep.

“Let my cry come before you, O Lord;
give me understanding according to your word!
Let my plea come before you;
deliver me according to your word.
My lips will pour forth praise,
for you teach me your statutes.
My tongue will sing of your word,
for all your commandments are right.
Let 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 my soul live and praise you,
and let your rules help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.”

Do you ever feel like the sheep in this psalm? The psalmist says he has gone astray, but emphasizes his commitment to not forgetting God’s commandments.

If you feel like you have gone astray, cry out to God, and make your plea before him.

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Wisdom Prayer

The Sum of Your Word Is Truth?

The Sum of Your Word Is Truth?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who know the sum of your word is the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Imagine you are a witness in a trial. Bibles are still used in courtrooms for swearing in witnesses. Will you take your oath seriously?

The psalmist is confident in God’s word. “Your righteous rules endures forever.”

Psalm 119:153-160 (ESV)

“Look on my affliction and deliver me,
for I do not forget your law.
Plead my cause and redeem me;
give me life according to your promise!
Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek your statutes.
Great is your mercy, O Lord;
give me life according to your rules.
Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
but I do not swerve from your testimonies.
I look at the faithless with disgust,
because they do not keep your commands.
Consider how I love your precepts!
Give me life according to your steadfast love.
The sum of your word is truth,
and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”

Where do you stand with regard to the Bible? Do you believe it is true, or is it just a book of stories? Will you tell the truth if you swear on a Bible? God’s word is truth. Trust it. Read it. Live by it.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.