Read Psalm 119:169-176 169Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word! 170Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word. 171My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. 172My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. 173Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. 174I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. 175Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me. 176I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.
It is always true that the “closer” we draw to God, the lower we find ourselves.
Seeing God, especially seeing God in his commandments, precepts, and rules, never lifts us up, it always knocks us down. Down where we belong. I have gone astray like a lost sheep is how this entire psalm concludes. The shepherd, David, sees his position in life as that of a lamb crying out for rescue.
And so must we.
Like David’s, our own personal pursuit of the word of God must never produce pride, but only greater humility. Which is why it is essential to see the Word of God in its fullness, Jesus. Our understanding is through him. Our deliverance is through him. Our righteousness is through him. Our help is through him. Our delight comes through him.
If the Word of God were only knowledge that we must gain through diligent study and examination, then pride and/or despair would be our only options, depending on how well we are progressing. But if the Word of God is a person, a savior, a shepherd that joins his life to our own, then there is no room for pride. Only faith. Only to live is Christ.
You: What do you think of this premise: drawing closer to God means finding ourselves lower and lower?
You in Christ: Why does our union with Christ take us lower in our self-evaluation rather than higher?
Christ in you: How can you continue to make knowing the Word about knowing the person of Christ?
Pray: Father, may my deeper understanding of your Word reveal my deep need of your rescue. Amen.
To Live is Christ 