Love God Greatly - Psalm 119Намуна

Reflection: The Lord’s goal for His beloved is not simply that we learn His ways as instructed or that we understand His ways as taught, but that we walk in His ways as guided. Biblical knowledge is the answer, but knowing the Word of God and living the Word of God are two vastly different things. We must seek to walk in the ways of God, remembering that God’s ways are totally contrary to the world’s way of operating. We may have to stand against the wisdom of the world, the advice of our well-meaning family and friends, and battle our own self-seeking flesh in order to be solely guided and led by God. This willingness to stand comes at great cost. In order to follow Jesus, we must lose our life for His sake. We must be willing to lay aside anything or disregard any person we fear more than God. We must be willing to turn our back on whatever and whoever we first turn to for comfort and security if it is not our Lord. We must keep the eternal benefits and eternal joy of following Jesus forefront in our minds so that when we are tried, tested, and called upon, we will be able to pass His tests.

Father God, You are My Instructor, My Teacher, and My Guide. Instruct me, Lord, on Your promises so that I can digest them in my heart and mind as my source of replenishment when I am facing a drought in this cold, empty world. Teach me, Lord, to see Your face in the faces of those I love as well as in the faces of my enemies so that I may learn to show them both the same measure of overflowing love, grace, and mercy that You have shown me. Guide me, Lord, when fear and doubt cloud my path and when grief overwhelms me, so that I may continue walking forward, without misstep, knowing that You hold my world in Your hand. In Jesus' name. Amen.