He ה: Prayer for guidance and life
Psalm 119:33-40 (Part 5)
Rev. Dr. Devadosan Sugirtharaj
Introduction
- He is the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet and the causative psalm.
- These are the prayers that focus on causing tolerant, understanding, and walk
- This is the prayer for longing for living righteous and revival in the heart.
1. Prayer for the righteous living according to God’s word.Psalm.119:33-35
- The psalmist expresses his desire to keep the word of God. He prays to God that he will teach him so that he may preserve his walk with God.
- The psalmist’s heart desires to follow the word of God. God has given it to him. However, he cannot walk in God’s ways without understanding God's word. He knows that he needs understanding to preserve his faith in God.
- The psalmist has his delight and desire for God’s word. However, he cannot walk in God’s ways without God’s strength.
2. Prayer for the protection from wickedness based on God’s word. Psalm 119:36-37
- The psalmist understands that a heart inclined toward God’s word would satisfy what God provides. The covetousness is a threat to walk in God’s word. The Bible provides numerous examples of covetousness, including Balaam, Ahab, David, Achan, Judas, Ghazi, and Ananias.
- The psalmist understands that worthless things have no value for eternity but little value for the present age. He prays to God that He would empower and enable him to turn away his eyes from worthless things that do not good, last, help, have hope, and distract us from being truly worthy. Here keeping the eyes means keeping the heart. He asks God to give power to keep the heart on the word of God.
- The psalmist wants to walk in God’s way according to His word. However, there is a choice between direction toward worthless things and direction toward God’s way. The vanities of the world have a strong attraction that tempts us, but God’s way is more powerful than theirs, and it gives life.
3. Prayer for revival from God’s word. Psalm 119:38-40
- The psalmist knows that the word of the Lord is established forever. He does not ask God to change His word. He prays for a change in his heart and mind so that God’s word will be established in his life. He wants his heart to be revived to submit to the word of God. He prays that the Lord may revive his life to remove disgrace from his life and promote the fear of God.
Conclusion
When you pray for God’s guidance, remember these three important prayer points:
- Righteous living
- Strength to overcome temptations
- Revival in heart.