Promises from God
Ever read over a scripture and get stuck? I don't mean stuck trying to figure it out (that happens all the time for me!); i do mean stuck mulling it over, absorbing the meaning, caught in the mystery and awe of what God's trying to tell you. That's what these two verses do for me.
I'm constantly amazed by God's favor, His unconditional love for me despite my hangups, trip ups, what ups (like, "Rochelle, what's up with that?") I'm learning to be content with who i am because God created me this way and since He is God, He wouldn't have it any other way. So when verse 73 calls out the Creator to "give me the sense to follow your commands," i'm sort of stopped in my tracks. Who's commanding who now? And what brought the author to this place? The tone seems almost impatient. It's so aggressive, so direct, but then again, maybe it's a plea. I can relate to that.
When i'm stumbling through life trying to be my best, and i come out failing, i get frustrated. Why can't i get it right every time...most of the time...half the time! What's up with that, God? Where's my sense? And there, in my little whirlwind tantrum, God lays this on my heart: i wasn't just made by Him, i was made for Him. The essence of my existence is a dependency on the promises of God. He will grant unfailing love, long patience, tender mercy, unending joy and so much more. He wants to, which means we have to ask for it, need it, expect that we won't always have it. I think the psalmist is saying our dependency on God, which leads us to ask for that sense, develops within us a "cause for joy" to others (vs.74).
I'm ok with that. I never want to lose sight of - or lose hope in - the fact that God promises to help me make sense of things, shed light where needed and still love me if i get it wrong. But, if i can get it right just once and show someone the remarkable truth that God always keeps His promises, my heart knows joy. I can't think of a better way to tackle the day than expectantly living for each one of His promises.
Created over 2 years ago
