Devotions

20231117

firm

Psalm 119:89-96 (JDV)

Psalm 119:89 Yahveh, your word is permanent; it is firmly fixed in heaven.
Psalm 119:90 Your faithfulness is for all generations; you established the earth, and it stands firm.
Psalm 119:91 Your judgments stand firm today, for all things are your servants.
Psalm 119:92 If your instruction had not been my delight, I would have died in my misery.
Psalm 119:93 I will never forget your directions because you have given me life through them.
Psalm 119:94 I am yours; deliver me, because I have studied your directions.
Psalm 119:95 The wicked hope to destroy me, but I contemplate your warning signs.
Psalm 119:96 I have seen a limit to every perfect thing, but your command is without limit.

firm

Because God is the author of his word, it stands firmly fixed. By focusing on the instructions in his word, we can survive the storms we will encounter in our ever-changing world.

20231112

yours, mine, and hours

Psalm 119:49-56 (JDV)

Psalm 119:49 Remember your word to your servant; you have given me hope through it.
Psalm 119:50 This is my comfort in my misery: Your promise has given me life.
Psalm 119:51 The arrogant constantly ridicule me, but I do not turn away from your instruction.
Psalm 119:52 Yahveh, I remember your judgments from long ago and find comfort.
Psalm 119:53 Rage seizes me because of the wicked who reject your instruction.
Psalm 119:54 Your prescriptions are the theme of my song in my house of traveling.
Psalm 119:55 Yahveh, I remember your name in the night, and I obey your instruction.
Psalm 119:56 This is my practice: I obey your directions.

yours, mine, and hours

Notice how the psalmist uses possessives here. YOUR word, YOUR servant, YOUR promise, YOUR instruction (three times), YOUR judgments, YOUR prescriptions, YOUR name, YOUR directions. These are matched by MY comfort, MY misery, MY song, MY house, and MY practice.

Even in the night hours, the poet remembers that he has a God who cares and comforts him, and he meditates on his word.