Thursday, October 24, 2024  

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Today's Scripture
Psalm 119:97–112

Oh, how I love your law!
It is my meditation all day long.
Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
for it is always with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for your decrees are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged,
for I keep your precepts.
I hold back my feet from every evil way,
in order to keep your word.
I do not turn away from your ordinances,
for you have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
to observe your righteous ordinances.
I am severely afflicted;
give me life, O Lord, according to your word.
Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord,
and teach me your ordinances.
I hold my life in my hand continually,
but I do not forget your law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me,
but I do not stray from your precepts.
Your decrees are my heritage for ever;
they are the joy of my heart.
I incline my heart to perform your statutes
for ever, to the end. (NRSV)

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Reflection

Is it just me or is the psalmist a little bit arrogant in this passage? I mean I appreciate soaring language and commitment to living according to God’s perfect way, but even on my best days I couldn’t put these words on paper. For every declaration I would have an asterisk. “I love your law, and it is my meditation all day.” *Except when I am frustrated and would rather be salty than understanding. “I hold my feet back from every evil way.” *Except when my spending priorities are out of alignment with the needs of the world. I fear I would need to have a conditional phrase for every aspirational one.

I long to live with wisdom, joy, and understanding. Yes! I can certainly see where those are important traits. It’s just that I live in a world that makes this very hard. Was the psalmist aware of the vitriolic upcoming election? What about the war being waged in the Middle East? Did the psalmist honestly understand the devastation that can be wrought by hurricanes? People are losing everything! Is God’s word still supposed to be a lamp unto my feet?

Perhaps my thread of hope comes in this verse: “I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word.”

This feels more resonant to me. Give me life according to God’s word. I am imperfect and striving. I cannot come with arrogance, because I am so aware of my failings. Thankfully God never loses heart. This is the process of spiritual formation. I am aware and I also continue on the path towards righteousness.

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Prayer
God, keep being a light to my way. When my meditations veer off course, bring me back. For all of my days give me the strength and courage to stay on your path. Amen.

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Written by Andrea Denney, Executive Director of Operational Ministries

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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