Thoughts for the Day

* The village of Beddgelert.

The Lord exists for ever;
your word is firmly fixed in heaven.
Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
By your appointment they stand today,
for all things are your servants.
If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my misery.
I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have given me life.
I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

We know that Psalm 119 is a precious jewel among the psalms, indeed we could do worse than spend a life-time studying what it can teach us about God. It's an acrostic psalm, meant to help those who read it in the original Hebrew to remember it off by heart, since each section starts with the next letter of the alphabet. It concentrates on the 'Word of God', and there are eight synonyms used: 'Law', 'Testimonies', 'Precepts', 'Statutes', 'Commandments', 'Ordinances', 'Word', and 'Promise'. The Psalmist argues that:

• the study of scripture gives us freedom, because we begin to understand what God wants of us;
• study lightens our path, helping us see the way to go;
• study is a delight and pleasure;
• and such study offers us life!

Today's verses from this Psalm reminded me of the old Welsh legend of Gelert, the faithful hound, who protects a Prince's baby son, and gives his life for him (see Further Thoughts below). The Psalmist appeals to a God who is faithful, who is always present, who listens to our prayers, and who loves us. Our forefathers struggled to obey God's Laws, but now the study of God's words in scripture helps us to understand our mistakes, and when we repent He draws us closer to Himself because His Son, Jesus, gave His life as an offering for our sin. May we continue to learn more about this God who is eternally faithful to His promises.

Faithful God,
You have been there for Your people
from their birth to their death -
at times when they have forgotten You,
when they have preferred to go their own way,
and when they have totally rejected You.
May we study Your words in scripture,
allowing them to draw us closer to You,,
and in doing so see our faults.
Help us to be honest with ourselves
and with You, this day and always.
Amen.