Psalm 119: Qoph

Before we get into today’s passage, I want to share something with you all!  It is something that took me by surprise this morning.  First, I must explain that you are reading this post a couple of weeks after I wrote it.  I know some of my writings are quite long, and I don’t want to overload your inbox with deep thoughts that make folks mentally check out.  Plus, I want everyone to have a few days to process and chew on what God reveals before moving onto the next part.  Why is this important? Because of what I am about to share.

As I write this, it is Resurrection Sunday.  This week I felt the Lord called me to fast yesterday, which is the Saturday remembrance of Jesus in the tomb, descending into hell.  The last post you read was written yesterday.  My Sunday rhythms are usually different because of church services, and I was considering what book I should continue reading in my extra-biblical reading.  I have a daily devotional I am currently going through as well as a book called Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer, which we are going through with our life group at church.  As I was getting my coffee together, I started asking God what to read, because neither of those seemed satisfying to me and I didn’t really want to sit and play video games, which I have done in the past.  What did I want to do instead?  Read God’s Word!

I share this to encourage you.  This journey I have been on since January, when God nudged me to get in His Word more, is bearing fruit.  I’ve been doing it out of obedience, obligation, and a knowledge that it is what is right.  Today I find myself wanting more. Isn’t that beautiful?  I have heard others talk about this happening and maybe I have experienced it in the past.  But recently, I have been doing it because God told me to do it, not necessarily because I “wanted” to do it.  That sounds bad, I know, but I hope you understand what I am trying to say.  It can happen to you too.  The more we do something, the more our brain creates a neurological path to want more.  Not everything in life works that way, but the Scriptures hold a special gift that our mind and Spirit want to continue connecting to.  If that hasn’t happened to you yet, keep working at it!  Ok, onto today’s reflections.

The last stanza in this psalm ended with give me understanding that I may live. It appears this was a segue into the next stanza!  He mentions that he is crying out to God for interaction and salvation.  He doesn’t just want to know God’s Word, but God Himself!  That is a great thing to yearn for. Have you ever woken up crying out to God for help?  I have in difficult circumstances.  But I don’t think the psalmist is writing from a place of hardship.  I believe it is an understanding that we need help from God every day!  

If we read this stanza carefully, we see that the psalmist relies on God’s Word throughout the day.  He looks forward to the evening when he gets to be alone with God.  He wakes up in prayer before the sun rises, anticipating what God will tell him.  He goes throughout the day expecting God to work in him.  It’s a constant reliance on God and connection with Him!  He recognizes God’s presence and the value in His commandments.

Let us strive for the same thing!  May we wake up speaking to God and lie down thanking Him for another day.  May we yearn for His testimonies and seek after His commandments.  If God is the all-knowing, all-powerful Creator who came down to live among us, why wouldn’t we do that???  It makes sense in black and white, and we may even nod our heads at the notion, but how do we make that a reality in our hearts?  Keep pressing in until it is second nature.  It takes 66 straight days of doing something to make it a habit, and at least 100 days for it to feel natural.  Are you willing to put in the work?