“Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.” * - Psalm 119:36-37
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the longest book of the entire bible. Its’ 176 verses are in the form of a prayer from one who delights in living according to the word of God. These two particular verses above ask God to do something very specific for the writer: turn his heart and eyes towards God and away from that which is valueless. This is a worthwhile request and one we should all consider in our own lives today.
The statutes of God are precise and clear. They exist to instruct and guide us into a life that is pleasing to Him and will provide us with the greatest blessing. If left to our own devices we would naturally fall woefully short of God’s standards. We would seek out selfish gain every time. The word of God is available in many forms today and so there is no excuse for us not to avail ourselves of a copy for it is in the pages of scripture that true life is found. So many things in this life seem to have value, yet are completely worthless when all is said and done. Think about what you would grab if you home was on fire. Would it be jewels or CDs or a laptop … maybe money? I would probably grab my laptop, but I would also want my bible. I say that not to appear ultra-spiritual, but rather because I respect its value and know it can help me where all other possessions cannot. The most important thing is our own lives. Anything else can be replaced, even a bible. Most of the things we accumulate throughout our lives amount to nothing more than stuff; worthless things that will be tossed in the trash at some future time. I am emptying out my Dad’s house and find that so many things that were of value to him for one reason or another are nothing more than trash now; an accumulation of things which in the end have no worth. We are to value our life above things and shun selfish gain. We are to instead make it our lives goal and sole ambition to preserve our life according to the word of God. As Christians, to seek anything less is only cheating ourselves.
The statutes of God are precise and clear. They exist to instruct and guide us into a life that is pleasing to Him and will provide us with the greatest blessing. If left to our own devices we would naturally fall woefully short of God’s standards. We would seek out selfish gain every time. The word of God is available in many forms today and so there is no excuse for us not to avail ourselves of a copy for it is in the pages of scripture that true life is found. So many things in this life seem to have value, yet are completely worthless when all is said and done. Think about what you would grab if you home was on fire. Would it be jewels or CDs or a laptop … maybe money? I would probably grab my laptop, but I would also want my bible. I say that not to appear ultra-spiritual, but rather because I respect its value and know it can help me where all other possessions cannot. The most important thing is our own lives. Anything else can be replaced, even a bible. Most of the things we accumulate throughout our lives amount to nothing more than stuff; worthless things that will be tossed in the trash at some future time. I am emptying out my Dad’s house and find that so many things that were of value to him for one reason or another are nothing more than trash now; an accumulation of things which in the end have no worth. We are to value our life above things and shun selfish gain. We are to instead make it our lives goal and sole ambition to preserve our life according to the word of God. As Christians, to seek anything less is only cheating ourselves.
Walk with the King today and be a blessing
* Most ancients texts read “preserve my life in your way”.
