Psalms 119:1-8
I’m Still Learning.
The psalmist says blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to God’s word. And blessed are those who keep his laws and seek him with all their hearts. They do no wrong. They follow his ways.
Then he says blessed are those who are blameless before God for he knows what it means to be blameless before God, but in humility, makes a confession by saying I wish I were steadfast when it comes to temptations. I wish I could be steadfast, obedient, every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every year of my life. But I’m not. But if I were, like the psalmist said, then I would not be put to shame when people see me and see that I’m not perfect. Whether it be my impatience, my impure thoughts, my lusts, or unkind words, or disrespect, or whatever.
In verse 7 the psalmist declares that he will praise God with an upright heart as he learns God’s righteous laws. I see a man here who’s not giving up. He’s still willing to learn from God. It is still his desire within him to obey God’s words. I like the confidence I sense in the psalmist. But also admire the self-awareness that he has that he knows there will be days when he fails and asks God not to utterly forsake him because he’s not giving up.
Lord help us to hunger and thirst more for your word. Help us to be steadfast in obeying your words. Help us to confess our sins when we fail. Then help us, through your spirit, get back up and keep moving forward with you.
