Psalm 119:107-108
A musical instrument played properly can produce pleasing music, and, if obtained as a gift, calls for words of thanks unto the giver. But that gift will serve no good purpose until the one who receives it is taught how to play it. Likewise God's word, which is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, is a rich gift; but God must teach us what that which we read therein means and what it calls us to do.
Therefore we find the psalmist praying in Psalm 119:108 , "Accept, I beseech Thee, the freewill offering of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me Thy judgments." He had already in the preceding verse written, "I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according to Thy word."
Plainly his prayer is urgent because he was finding it difficult to keep his vow of walking in God's righteous judgments. He speaks of being greatly afflicted by unbelievers. And the temptation is always there to cease keeping God's statutes in order to escape this affliction. We need to be quickened, that is, revived to more earnest and open keeping of God's judgments. These we need to be taught more fully.
We may know and even be able to quote from memory God's law. We may even, as the psalmist did, praise and thank God for giving us His word. We may know many warnings and exhortations in the Bible. But we need to be taught in trying circumstances how to walk. We must by our deeds, not simply our mouths, say that His statutes are good.
Make this your prayer and sing these words (PRC Psalter):
In my distress I plead with Thee,
Send help according to Thy word;
Accept my sacrifice of praise
And make me know Thy judgments, Lord.
Read God's word, but study it as well. And by all means pray God that He will teach you how to walk in love to Him no matter what the circumstances in which you find yourself are. Especially when you are being ridiculed and mocked by the world, pray for grace to know how to continue walking in love to God.
Read: Psalm 25
Psalter versification: #334:2
(Words and Music of the Psalter)
Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Song for Meditation: Psalter #110
Why not sing along??
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Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Isaiah 25 ; Isaiah 26 ; Isaiah 27 ; Isaiah 28:1-13
Galatians 3:10-22
Psalm 61:1-8
Proverbs 23:17-18
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Quote for Reflection:
"The cross was before Him with all its horrors; the joy of returning to the Father was before Him with all its bliss; yet neither the fearful prospect of woe nor the hope of unspeakable rest and gladness shook His love for His own. He is the same yesterday, and today, and forever, therefore His love never varies. He is eternal, therefore has He loved us with an everlasting love. He is Divine, therefore is His love different from all others, passing human knowledge." ~ Arthur W.Pink
Additional Info
- Date: 17-September
Heys, John A.
Rev. John A. Heys was born on March 16, 1910 in Grand Rapids, MI. He was ordained and installed into the ministry at Hope, Walker, MI in 1941. He later served at Hull, Iowa beginning in 1955. In 1959 he accepted the call to serve the South Holland, IL Protestant Reformed Church. He received and accepted the call to Holland, Michigan Protestant Reformed Church in 1967. He retired from the active ministry in 1980. He entered into glory on February 16, 1998.