Happy and Blessed - Pt. 18

 

Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments. Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name. Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Redeem me from man’s oppression, that I may keep your precepts. Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes. My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law. (Psalm 119:129-136 ESV).

 

This picture was taken in the Hill Country near Fredricksburg, Texas. It’s one of those incredible sunsets that seem altogether so common in that area of our state. Perhaps it’s simply a matter of having a lot of open land to see across to the horizon that make them so wondrous. At any rate, as I came to our reading today I was drawn to it. When the psalmist writes his desire to have the Lord “shine His face” on him,” he echoes the blessing found in Numbers 6::24-26. There God explains how to give his people a blessing, saying: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Here God conveys to his people that he sees them and promises to love and protect them.

 

I have often concluded marriage ceremonies with those words spoken over the couple entering into those solemn vows before God. Having had fifty years to contemplate the wisdom of that prayer, I can honestly say that there aren’t any others that would be more helpful. In the good times (which Mary and I have had plenty) and in the difficult times (which have also found their way into our lives), it has been nothing but the gracious presence of the Lord that brought us peace.

 

In our reading for today, the psalmist sees the light of God’s Word, and his passion for God grows, leading to a greater thirst for God’s Word. As he reads and meditates, ponders and absorbs, the writer’s understanding of God’s love, mercy, and compassion deepens and his longing for God increases. The intensity of his passion for God leads him even to pant for God’s Word! We should also note that the psalmist calls himself God’s servant. Connecting God’s blessing with service, the psalmist reminds us that blessings don’t stop when they land on our doorstep. God blesses us, his servants, so that we can serve and be a blessing to the people around us.

 

Go ahead and ask God for his blessing, because God wants to bless you. He also wants you to be keenly attentive to his Word and to actively serve in his world.