Writing with a Reason

Vs. 9 — How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.

Prayer:

How can anyone cleanse his way? You have shown me that no one can. Yet while I was a sinner, Christ died for me, washing me clean and taking the certificate of debt against me and nailed it to the cross. Praises to my Savior. The Spirit of Christ has turned my heart to Your Word that I might see Savior, hear the Gospel, and believe. I have heeded Your word–the Gospel, and found cleansing in the atoning work of Jesus Christ!  Father, I ask that the Spirit of Christ enable the Church to grasp the height, depth, width, and length of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, so that we will explode with zeal to live it, preach it, breathe it, and trust it. Amen!

To the new comers to this blog: Each day I am posting the consecutive verse from Psalm 119. This Psalm is one prayer after another, all of which are relevant, needed, and instructive. As seen below, I will include a prayer to add to your prayers each day from the verse of the day, and I’ll drop some commentary on the verse to help with our understanding. Pray with the understanding, right? So says 1 Corinthians 14:15.

Vs. 8 –  I will keep Your statutes; Oh, do not forsake me utterly!

Verse 8.—This verse, being the last of this portion, is the result of his meditation concerning the utility and necessity of the keeping the law of God. Here take notice:—1. Of his resolution, “I will keep thy statutes.” II. Of his prayer, “O forsake me not utterly.” It is his purpose to keep the law; yet because he is conscious to himself of many infirmities, he prays against desertion. In the prayer more is intended than Is expressed. “O forsake me not;” he means, strengthen me in this work; and if thou shouldst desert me, yet but for a while, Lord, not for ever; if in part, not in whole, Four points we may observe hence:—1. That it is a great advantage to come to a resolution as to a course of godliness. 2. Those that resolve upon a course of obedience have need to fly to God’s help. 3. Though we fly to God’s help, yet sometimes God may withdraw, and seem to forsake us. 4. Though God seem to forsake us, and really doth so in part; yet we should pray that it may not be a total and utter desertion.—Thomas Manton.

Prayer:

It is my desire to keep Your statutes both and night. I know that it doesn’t look like it, and so it is because I sometimes turn from them. I am sorry for such dishonor and disobedience towards You, Father. Thank you, But I also have rest that even though I fall, I do not fall altogether. Thy love for me has been shown in the Son of Thy Love.

Vs. 7 – I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments.

In this verse David expresseth his esteem of the word, by telling what he would give for the knowledge and practice of it. As we use to tell a man how thankful we would be if he would do thus and thus for us; so, Lord, if thou wilt give me to learn thy righteous judgments, then I will praise thee, &c. (Manton, T. (1872). The Complete Works of Thomas Manton (Vol. 6, p. 61). London: James Nisbet & Co.)

Prayer:

I will praise You with uprightness of heart, when I learn Your righteous judgments. Yes indeed, as I learn Your righteous judgments my heart rejoices. Teach me, my Lord, more of Your judgments that my heart and lips will have more praise to lift towards heaven.

Vs. 6 – Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments.

Thomas Manton:

The Psalmist had prayed for direction to keep God’s commandments: here he showeth the fruit and benefit of that direction. (Manton, T. (1872). The Complete Works of Thomas Manton (Vol. 6, p. 53). London: James Nisbet & Co.)

Prayer:

I do not want to be ashamed when I look into Your commandments. Because of the Gospel–the redemptive work of Christ Jesus, that shame, guilt, and regret are foreign to me. Help me to follow Your word in all aspects of my life. Let my heart rejoice in all that You say and teach and never be ashamed either in private or public of the Gospel of Jesus. Also let me see the treasures within Your commandments. Let my eyes see Your perfections, holiness, justice, and righteousness. May my reverence and fear of You be healthy and increase within. Blessed be Thy Name forever and ever. Amen!

Vs. 5 — Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes!

Thomas Manton:

… we may note, is the serious desire that is in God’s people after holiness. Mark, it is not a velleity, but a volition, Oh that, noteth the vehemency and heartiness. It is his first desire. David had hitherto spoken assertively; when he cometh to speak supplications, his first and chief request to God is, ‘Oh that my ways were directed!’ &c. Mark again, it is not a desire of happiness, but holiness; not ‘Oh that I were blessed!’ but ‘Oh that my ways were directed!’ A mind to know, a will to obey, and a memory to keep in mind God’s precepts. (Manton, T. (1872). The Complete Works of Thomas Manton (Vol. 6, pp. 48–49). London: James Nisbet & Co.)

Prayer:

Indeed, O’ Lord, direct my ways … ALL MY WAYS to keep Your statutes! If You do not direct and establish my ways, surely I will stray. Set my heart like flint towards Thee. I desire Your statutes to be the firm structure in my life. They will direct my steps in peace, joy, love, and so much more. Your statutes are good, as You are good.