Psalm 119:1-8 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 119:1-8 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.
Verse 2Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart,
Verse 3who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways.
Verse 4You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.
Verse 5O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!
Verse 6Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
Verse 7I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous ordinances.
Verse 8I will observe your statutes; do not utterly forsake me.
Devotion
As a sinner/saint who is keenly aware of that tension in my life, I am like the unnamed father of the sick child who cried out, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mk. 9:24) Often my prayers are very short and go together, e.g., “Help, Lord!” and “Okay, Lord, I will.”
In our confirmation, ordination and installation liturgies, key questions are answered with: “I will, and I ask God to help me.” These are modern contextual versions of “Lord I believe; help my unbelief.”
The Psalmist says the same thing: “Happy/Blessed are those...who walk in the way of the Lord,” and then continues (v. 8), “Okay, Lord, I will.” But the Psalmist also says, “O that my ways may be...” (v.5). With the Psalmist, we sinner/saints respond over and over again: “Yes, Lord” and “Help, Lord;” as we echo the ancient words: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.”
Prayer
O God, help us to walk in your ways. It may not be easy, and our paths can be hard. But in the midst of the messiness of life, grant us the grace to follow you.