November 18 – Pe - Psalm 119:129-136

November 18 – Pe -  Psalm 119:129-136

Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.
The unfolding of thy words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
With open mouth I pant, because I long for thy commandments.
Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is thy wont toward those who love thy name.
Keep steady my steps according to thy promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
Redeem me from man’s oppression, that I may keep thy precepts.
Make thy face shine upon thy servant, and teach me thy statutes.
My eyes shed streams of tears, because men do not keep thy law.

The basic tenets of scripture are pretty straightforward. From the beginning of creation, to the end of all time, everything the Lord has set in front of humanity has been done because of love. Even when He wanted to destroy everything, He was reminded that His love was greater than His anger and from that humanity found redemption and hope in a rainbow.

His word, His law, the message that weaves throughout the Bible are all about God’s love for His people and His desire that they return that love in a strong relationship with Him. He doesn't want to be a puppet master who pulls our strings and He doesn't want to set us up for failure.  What He wants from us is acknowledgement that He is our Creator and Savior and He wants us to understand that our lives are much better when lived within His will.

It doesn't seem like it should be that difficult, but we, in all of our short-sighted wisdom certainly can cause chaos.  We fight for our own way and cause disruption around us.  We demand power and oppress others in order to gain that power.  We are so susceptible to self-centered motivation and find it easy to forget that we are simply children of a loving God and all we need to do is rely on His word.

The Bible is not a weapon to be used against those who offend us or upset us, it is a way of comprehending the heart of God. The Psalmist says it gives brings light and understanding. Scripture is God’s way of communicating with us on a very general and a very personal basis and it is His story of how much He loves us.  No wonder the Psalmist says he pants for the words of God and longs for His commandments.  Love fills the pages of this book. As we read it looking for the story of the power of love from the Creator of all things, we will find joy, peace, love, hope and redemption.