Heth ח: Hurrying to God with all my heart.
Psalm 119:57-64
Rev. Dr. Devadosan Sugirtharaj
Introduction
What makes our lives more satisfying? How can we understand it? The Psalmist expresses his quick awareness of this question in this text.
Expressing Satisfaction and Seeking Mercy. Psalm 119:57-58
- The Psalmist proclaimed that the Lord Himself is his portion. These are the words of his satisfied soul. In the Old Testament, the Levites declared that God is thesource of life as they do God’s ministry in the community. Possessing God is truly to have everything in life. In other words, the psalmist said that there are no other fleshly pursuits in his life except God.
- The Psalmist expressed how he treasured God in his life as his portion. He treasures God’s words in his heart. When we have God as our only portion in our lives, then we can keep his words.
- Based on this understanding, he entreated God’s favor with all his heart. Enjoying the face of God means experiencing the favor of God. He sought the face of God with a sense of inability and cries. He diligently sought God and kept his word. He enjoyed God’s face in his heart. So he asked God’s mercy according to the promises of His word.
Life Driven by God’s Word. Psalm 119:59-60
- The Psalmist spent much time reading and meditating on God’s word and it gave him to reflect on his own ways in order to get the insight necessary to turn in the right direction. Once he found the right direction, he did not hesitate to be obedient to God’s guidance. Speed in repentance and speed in obedience are the right attitudes towards the right direction. He did not delay. The Hebrew word used for delay means the mindset that is so unfixed as not to be able to make a choice.
Loyalty to God’s word in times of attacks and afflictions. Psalm 119:61-62
- The psalmist acknowledged the attacks and afflictions caused by adversaries. However, he did not forget God’s word. His heart and mind are filled with the word of God. It made him thank God even at midnight. His devotion to God and His word was so passionate. So he was devoted to God’s word day and night.
Fellowship with God, others, and the whole earth based on God’s word. Psalm 119:63-64
- The psalmist enjoyed the fellowship with God and His word. And he also enjoyed the special fellowship with those who honor and hold God’s word. He not only experienced this fellowship with other believers but also felt the goodness of God filling the earth.
- The pursuit of God in and through His word led to satisfaction and blessing. That satisfaction and blessing led to a deeper pursuit, leading to even more satisfaction with the fellowship of God and others who pursue God’s word like him. And this fellowship may be felt in the whole world.
Conclusion
We may pursue many things to make us satisfied in our lives. Only God and His word can do it. When we understand it, we may be driven by His word toward the right direction and experience that satisfaction with our fellowship with God, other believers, and even in the whole world.