Psalm 119:25-32 (NLT)
revive me by your word.
I told you my plans, and you answered.
Now teach me your decrees.
Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,
and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
I weep with sorrow;
encourage me by your word.
Keep me from lying to myself;
give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.
I have chosen to be faithful;
I have determined to live by your regulations.
I cling to your laws.
Lord, don’t let me be put to shame!
I will pursue your commands,
for you expand my understanding.
The imagery of this group of verses in Psalm 119 gives me a feeling of irony. Pausing and pursuing. On the first line, lying in the dust - a pause, a stop. On the penultimate line, pursuing a movement. The psalmist was on a pause but he was in pursuit at the same time. But what was the writer pursuing? What was the purpose of pursuit during that time of pause?
Days before I encountered this portion of Psalm 119, a phrase came into my mind - "Pause or pursue." It was the Holy Spirit speaking to me during these lockdown days and in this season of waiting for a new assignment from God. Then in one of my daily devotions, I was so amazed that the imagery it impressed on me was the message of pause and pursue. A dichotomy. In my time of pause, pursue God's presence and His Word. God never ceases to leave me in awe and wonder how He reveals His Truth when you diligently seek Him and His Word.
For me, the lockdown days were vital days when we were given the opportunity to stop and pause. We had a chance to look inward. An unexpected time of halt from the hustle and bustle of the busy world. All of our plans were unexpectedly interrupted. Our timelines for personal goals were disrupted. I imagine a light switch turned off like a rest for the night at the end of the day. It was like lying in the dust described to us by the psalmist. A pause.
Here are some of my observations as I pondered the stanza:
I. Postures on the Pause
1. Posture of Humility
The psalmist humbly asked for personal revival. Revival by God's Word. God's Word has the power to give us new life, new energy and enthusiasm when we feel discouraged and down.
2. Posture of Honesty
The psalmist presented his plans to God, honestly telling God what's on his heart. He sought the help of God when he didn't understand. He wept in sorrow seeking God's encouragement.
3. Posture of Hearing from God
The psalmist asked God to teach him His decrees, to understand the meaning of His commandments, asking God the privilege of knowing His instructions.
II. Purposes of Pursuit
1. Knowing God's Word
As mentioned in the posture of hearing from God, the psalmist asked God to teach him His decrees, to understand the meaning of His commandments, asking God the privilege of knowing His instructions.
2. Meditating on God's Word
In verse 27, the psalmist said he will meditate on God's wonderful deeds as he seeks understanding of the meaning of God's commandments.
3. Living by the Word
In verse 30, the psalmist chose to be faithful and determined to live by God's regulations.
With these words from this stanza, the passion of the psalmist for the Word of God vividly created clear images of pause and pursue for me. What a wonderful truth to learn and live my life. My prayer is that I will be more and more passionate in constantly pausing and pursuing God's presence and His Word.
If this struck a chord in you, what comes to mind as next steps to pause in and pursue the presence of God? Just like the psalmist, we can ask God to teach us His decrees. The Holy Spirit Himself will teach us and help us understand His Word.
Days before I encountered this portion of Psalm 119, a phrase came into my mind - "Pause or pursue." It was the Holy Spirit speaking to me during these lockdown days and in this season of waiting for a new assignment from God. Then in one of my daily devotions, I was so amazed that the imagery it impressed on me was the message of pause and pursue. A dichotomy. In my time of pause, pursue God's presence and His Word. God never ceases to leave me in awe and wonder how He reveals His Truth when you diligently seek Him and His Word.
For me, the lockdown days were vital days when we were given the opportunity to stop and pause. We had a chance to look inward. An unexpected time of halt from the hustle and bustle of the busy world. All of our plans were unexpectedly interrupted. Our timelines for personal goals were disrupted. I imagine a light switch turned off like a rest for the night at the end of the day. It was like lying in the dust described to us by the psalmist. A pause.
Here are some of my observations as I pondered the stanza:
I. Postures on the Pause
1. Posture of Humility
The psalmist humbly asked for personal revival. Revival by God's Word. God's Word has the power to give us new life, new energy and enthusiasm when we feel discouraged and down.
2. Posture of Honesty
The psalmist presented his plans to God, honestly telling God what's on his heart. He sought the help of God when he didn't understand. He wept in sorrow seeking God's encouragement.
3. Posture of Hearing from God
The psalmist asked God to teach him His decrees, to understand the meaning of His commandments, asking God the privilege of knowing His instructions.
II. Purposes of Pursuit
1. Knowing God's Word
As mentioned in the posture of hearing from God, the psalmist asked God to teach him His decrees, to understand the meaning of His commandments, asking God the privilege of knowing His instructions.
2. Meditating on God's Word
In verse 27, the psalmist said he will meditate on God's wonderful deeds as he seeks understanding of the meaning of God's commandments.
3. Living by the Word
In verse 30, the psalmist chose to be faithful and determined to live by God's regulations.
With these words from this stanza, the passion of the psalmist for the Word of God vividly created clear images of pause and pursue for me. What a wonderful truth to learn and live my life. My prayer is that I will be more and more passionate in constantly pausing and pursuing God's presence and His Word.
REFLECTION
If this struck a chord in you, what comes to mind as next steps to pause in and pursue the presence of God? Just like the psalmist, we can ask God to teach us His decrees. The Holy Spirit Himself will teach us and help us understand His Word.
