Psalms 119:89-96

I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life. I am yours; save me…

This may be one of my favorite stanzas so far. We have commiserated with the psalmist through trials and as he teetered on the edge of despair. Now, it seems, he is once again able to praise our magnificent God.  He seems to  comfort himself by the absolute unchangeable nature of God, finding solace in the reminder of the Almighty’s sovereignty.

However, the persecution or trouble is not ended, for he writes, “The wicked lie in wait to destroy  me…”  It is not an end to his problems that prompted this outburst of praise, then. So what has changed?

If David was anything like me,  the only change was probably one of perspective. While I have never endured the sort of trials David did — fleeing through the wilderness while being pursued by a murderous king or being chased out of my kingdom by my own vengeful offspring — I have had times of both physical and spiritual torment. I have felt very, very alone and wondered if my God would ever rescue me.

At such times, my faith is sorely tested and I cling to a knowing that He is good much as a shipwrecked man must cling to some bit of wreckage in order to stay afloat in the raging sea.

It is tempting in these dark moments to think God doesn’t hear, doesn’t care… but much like David, I remember that His word really is firmly fixed in the heavens; His faithfulness truly does endure to all generations. He is the supreme being, the only One who can cause the earth to continue, or with a word, to cease to exist.

It is for this reason that His law is and must be my delight, for without it, how could I stand? On those bleak and dreary days of adversity, I find it most helpful to turn my thoughts away from myself to the goodness of my God.

It is for this reason that I am working on adding this psalm to the other verses, passages, and chapters of Scripture already tucked into my memory. I not only never want to forget His precepts, I want to know them as well as I know the lines of my own hands.

Sometimes in the darkness words of devotion fail me utterly. At such times I find I can whisper those precious praises contained in the Scriptures. Reciting the adoring words written by others or remembering the promises of God lovingly tucked into His word — even recalling the rightness of my Father’s loving chastisement — these things called up from memory breathe new life into my faith when it falters.

Even now in the midst of a continuing physical trial, I cry out to my Maker, “I am Yours; save me!” And I know He will.

My God, save me from my tendency to doubt, save me from the wicked in this world, save me from the wickedness within my own heart. You have saved me once and for all with the blood of my Lord Jesus; continue to save me daily lest I forget You and drift away. Save me from my indolence and my faithlessness. Save me from my own, wrong motives. I am entirely Yours. Save me and do with me as You will.