Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

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Read

Psalm 119:17-32 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Deal bountifully with your servant,
so that I may live and observe your word.

Open my eyes, so that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.

I live as an alien in the land;
do not hide your commandments from me.

My soul is consumed with longing
for your ordinances at all times.

You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
who wander from your commandments;

take away from me their scorn and contempt,
for I have kept your decrees.

Even though princes sit plotting against me,
your servant will meditate on your statutes.

Your decrees are my delight,
they are my counselors.

My soul clings to the dust;
revive me according to your word.

When I told of my ways, you answered me;
teach me your statutes.

Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous works.

My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.

Put false ways far from me;
and graciously teach me your law.

I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I set your ordinances before me.

I cling to your decrees, O Lord;
let me not be put to shame.

I run the way of your commandments,
for you enlarge my understanding

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Reflect

Having been in education for 38 years, there is one thing I know… students do not like a long list of rules. Of course, you do have an occasional exception, but generally, human nature resists instructions that seek to control behavior. Overtime I substituted ‘Norms’ for ‘Rules’ and led my classes through a process to develop normal operating procedures as we got to know each other. After years of working on these, three basic Norms evolved:

Love each other.
Let each learn.
Let the teacher teach.

Simply put, God’s commandments are Norms for our life. Just as my students learned that classroom Norms created an environment in which they had freedom to become great, we as God’s children learn that God’s commands, when obeyed, free us from a life of bad decisions and regret so that we can become all that He intends us to be.

The Psalmist in chapter 119, verse 24, delights in God’s commandments. He claims them as his counselors. Do you look at God’s word in that way? Does it free you knowing that God loves you, therefore provides guidelines that protect you from destruction? Or do you look at God’s instruction as a long list of ‘do nots’ that restrain you and there’s no joy in obeying them?

 

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Pray

Dear Lord, Father God, I thank you for loving me and giving me Your word that provides direction to life. Teach me Your ways, Lord, that I might experience joy unspeakable and be a witness to Your love, grace, and mercy. In Jesus precious name I pray. Amen

Go with God!