Tag: testimonies

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Wisdom Prayer

Soul Melts Away in Sorrow!

Soul Melts Away in Sorrow!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those whose soul melts away in sorrow. Strengthen them according to your word. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Luke 16:17 (ESV) says,

“But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void.”

God’s word is everlasting.

Psalm 119:28-32 (ESV) is about clinging to God’s laws. In sorrow, the psalmist turns to God’s word.

“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!”

Whatever the circumstance, God offers the opportunity to faithfully follow him. Seek God’s wisdom. Follow his instruction.

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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

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.

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Wisdom Prayer

Love Commandments Above Gold, Above Fine Gold?

Love Commandments Above Gold, Above Fine Gold?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who say they “love your commandments above gold, above fine gold.” In Jesus’ name, amen.

If you did not have access to a Bible, how much would you be willing to pay for one? Perhaps you, like a lot of people, have more than one in your home.

Meanwhile, around the world, translators work tirelessly to complete Bible translations for unreached people groups, so men and women, boys and girls, who do not have access to Scripture can have access to one in their own language.

In Psalm 119:121-128 (ESV) we see the value placed on God’s commandments. The psalmists loves them more than gold. That is not just any gold. It is fine gold. Gold that has been refined and refined again to remove impurities.

“I have done what is just and right;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
Give your servant a pledge of good;
let not the insolent oppress me.
My eyes long for your salvation
and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
and teach me your statutes.
I am your servant; give me understanding,
that I may know your testimonies!
It is time for the Lord to act,
for your law has been broken.
Therefore I love your commandments
above gold, above fine gold.
Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
I hate every false way.”

Do you spend time reading your Bible? Have you come to value the words of Scripture, or have you begun to take your Bible for granted. It is worn out, or is it gathering dust? Perhaps it is time to dust off God’s word and recommit to daily reading.

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Wisdom Prayer

Depart Evildoers?

Depart Evildoers?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who say depart from me, you evildoers. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Do not run with the wrong crowd. Having a healthy respect for God’s judgment can be life changing. When a person realizes that a holy God will not tolerate any evil, the awareness of the need for a savior takes on real significance.

Psalm 119:115-120 concludes with the idea of being afraid of God’s judgment.

“Depart from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commandments of my God.
Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,
and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
Hold me up, that I may be safe
and have regard for your statutes continually!
You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,
for their cunning is in vain.
All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,
therefore I love your testimonies.
My flesh trembles for fear of you,
and I am afraid of your judgments.”

God sent his Son. Jesus was that perfect sacrifice for sin. He sets the prisoners free from God’s wrath. Trust him.

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