The psalmist has laid out a very concise and consistent strategy for staying in tune with God’s will by staying invested in God’s Word. In the last half of the fourth stanza, he summarizes what is necessary to live in such a godly manner. You can take a look at this passage in Psalm 119:29-32:
The writer lays out three powerful commands that we are to follow if we want to live in the center of God’s will in our lives. But he prefaces that with a request for God’s grace in verse 29. He knows that the only way that he can succeed in living God’s way is through God’s help and power. And so his request in verse 29 is “keep me from deceitful ways.” And in the very next stroke of the pen, he writes the answer to this request: God’s graciousness comes through His Word.
That’s an incredible piece of information that I am afraid we miss all too often. In order to live lives that reflect his character, to stay on the straight and narrow, to avoid deceitful ways, we must be invested deeply into the Word of God. There is no other way in which we can gain the strength needed to navigate the waters of everyday life with integrity and character. We must deeply drink from God’s Word, continuously.
In the next three verses, the psalmist gives us three things that we must do in order to live in such a godly way.
Choose the right way
Jesus told us that the way to life is narrow, and few find it. And it is certain that no one finds it by accident. Character and integrity are not stumbled upon. No, the right path must be chosen. If we are to live according to God’s Word, we must intentionally choose to do so, and stay connected intimately to him through his Word in order to stay there. This is a deliberate, intentional choice, and the way we find the strength to hold firm to such a path is by setting our hearts upon God’s laws.
Hold fast to God’s Word
To “hold,” as the writer uses it here, means to “cleave.” This is the same word the psalmist used in verse 25, when he was “laid low” in the dust. He was so low, he had an intimate knowledge and relationship with the dirt he wallowed in. In the same way, here he is very intimately connected to God’s Word. The connection cannot be missed. When it seems as if life deals us such a powerful blow that we cannot overcome it, our response should be to turn to God’s Word, and cling to it relentlessly.
Run the course laid before us
The shift in perspective is very interesting. This stanza began with the psalmist being laid low. It ends with him running strong in the path of God’s Word. This is not the only occasion that the Christian life is described as a race. Hebrews 12:1-2 comes to mind, where the writer says, “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” Our lives, as we follow God, are not to be seen as a stroll in the park. It is a race, it requires effort and focus and determination. And the results will be worth the effort.
So stay strong, even if it seems life has laid you low. Get up, dust yourself off, and run. Run in the path of God’s command. Because he has set our hearts free!
Question: Has life thrown you a curve ball or two that you can’t seem to overcome? How can you rest in God as he leads you through this? You can leave a comment by clicking here.