Guilt
Then I shall not be ashamed when I look upon all Your commandments. (Psa 119:6)
Are you ashamed of something you did – or maybe something you didn’t do? Considering God’s commandments wipes away guilt like dish soap on a greasy pan.
Impurity
How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. (Psa 119:9)
I and my boys need God’s word in our hearts to keep us on the right road. We do not just defend against the impure, we aggressively pursue the pure.
Sin
Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. (Psa 119:11)
My friend is struggling to “fix” a habitual sin. I wish this person treasured God’s word. Not that he’d never sin, but he’s not armed with a powerful weapon.
Insecurity
Even though princes sit and talk against me, your servant meditates on Your statutes. (Psa 119:23)
It’s easy to get caught up what “they” are saying about you on social media. But, when we’re gossiped about, God’s word reminds us whose opinion really matters.
Indecision
Your testimonies also are my delight; they are my counselors. (Psa 119:24)
Are you at a crossroads? Maybe it’s about a job or a relationship. God’s word can guide and inform you every step along the way.
Grief
My soul weeps because of grief; strengthen me according to Your word. (Psa 119:28)
Perhaps you’re in a season of loss and pain. God doesn’t always remove sadness quickly, but He does give you the strength to see it through.
Ignorance
Teach me good discernment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments. (Psa 119:66)
We do not enter this world knowing all we need for a productive, joy-filled life. We need to learn and keep learning. God’s word feeds our brains.
Exhaustion
Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, so that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth. (Psa 119:88)
Some days (or years!) are rough. It can take all you got just to get out of bed. Drink in God’s word! It delivers a bigger jolt than a Double Espresso!
Inexperience
I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Your precepts. (Psa 119:100)
I love learning from others – I covered that in my book Wise Guys. Even so, I grow faster and go farther by knowing his word than I do by watching a thousand TED talks.
Confusion
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psa 119:105)
Very rarely does God show us the next 50 miles of our journey. Usually, He only gives enough light for our next step. This is how we learn to trust Him.
Danger
You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word. (Psa 119:114)
We will not avoid every bad circumstance in life. Yet, we can frequently see His hand in the curses we were spared, especially when we chose His path.
Greed
Therefore, I love Your commandments above gold, yes, above fine gold. (Psa 119:127)
It’s so easy – especially for Americans – to put money and fame above God’s word. A sad trade. His word’s more valuable than all our riches combined!
Arrogance
My eyes shed streams of water, because they do not keep Your law. (Psa 119:136)
There is a healthy sadness we experience when we go astray. If you never experience this, perhaps it’s because you’re not sure what “on track” looks like.
Anxiety
Those who love Your law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble. (Psa 119:165)
If our hearts are filled with worry, we are not trusting God. It’s that simple. He wants to give us peace, which often comes through a deep love of His word.
Above all, this Psalm shows me how to rightly esteem God’s word and that ways God’s word heals us. I don’t always have it in its rightful place in my heart. That’s something I battle, but I know the reward is worth the fight.
