13 April, 2008

Psalm 119:25-32
DALETH.
My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid [before me].
I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.


We studied this in Sunday School this morning, and it was right where I was. It was a delight to give it a good, hard look.

I like that the passage starts with the singer prostrate in the dust, melted under the weight of his loads, and afraid he might try to deliver himself by lying. I get that.

He answers his own situation with the word, the statutes, the precepts. And what else? If you take away from me my scriptures, where could I go to learn that Jesus suffered here along with me? That he watches my every tear and marks the enemies that caused them? That has delivered me from the sin that kept me from appearing before God my Hope?

Where else would I learn how to behave myself in the courtyards of His home - and now mine? Where else would I learn to tell the truth to those who are hurting? Where else would I learn to praise my Deliverer even before I see His deliverance?

But when I have those things, when I know those truths, I can stand up from the dust. When I know where to go, I can begin walking. And when I see what there is to gain, I can begin to run, because the Lord has enlarged my heart.

For a few more decades, there will be dust on my feet, but the invisible truth of God's love and actions keeps me upright in more ways than one.

2 comments:

P said...

It seems that this whole post is a psalm, beautiful and true. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

I smiled a little bit with a comment that your opening verse reminded me of. An elderly lady came up to me today and asked how I was doing, and I said, "I'm here. I'm still standing." She responded by telling me about a man who used to answer the question by saying, "I'm still this side of the dirt."

More seriously, your rhetorical questions resonate with me, and I join in asking them, in a rising crescendo of celebration and thankfulness for the Word. Starting in the dirt, but with each question and the implied affirmation that it is, I rise a little higher, my smile getting a little bigger in response to the growing hope and assurance. My heart really is full, when I join in asking, "Where else would I learn to praise my Deliver before I see His deliverance?"
Thanks for sharing these words that help me express praise and confidence even under a heavy load.