May 30, 2022
We often say about someone who is determined in some habit, "Well, he's just set in his ways. You're not going to change him."
Habits can be terribly bad or wonderfully good. The Psalmist's prayer was for a good habit. In fact, the best of all habits. The entirety of Psalm 119 is intended to convince us of the unbelievable value of listening to God through His Word and then following His directives.
"Oh that my ways may be established to keep Your statutes!" (Psalm 119:5)
To be "established" means something is set, accomplished, determined, it's happening and will continue to happen. The Psalmist prays for that, knowing that the greatest possible blessing comes when God's ways and our ways are indistinguishable. When we have so surrendered our will to His that we habitually listen to God in His Word and do what God is doing.
At that point, the great prayer of the Lord's prayer is happening. God's kingdom is coming, and His will is being done (through our established steps) on earth, as it is in heaven. What could possibly be better than a habitual lifestyle of following Him?
"Lord, I pray that in this year, in greater ways than ever before, my ways may be established to keep Your statutes!"
January 17, 2025
The one who does what invites the presence of God into the situation has the ultimate reward.
January 16, 2025
Everything in your life and your future depends upon where you place the Lord. Notice the Psalmist David indicateD it is our deliberate choice and no one else’s. No one can do this for you. “I have SET … I PLACE the Lord in front of me.”
January 15, 2025
Imagine a child created by God and for whom He had sent His only begotten Son to redeem and His Spirit to indwell. And then imagine that child ignoring Him, never communing, never praying, never listening, never obeying. And then realize how an attentive, unceasing life of prayer would delight the heart of the Father who made you.
