“Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD. Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways. You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. O that my ways be steadfast in keeping your statutes! … Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise. … Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, those who forsake your law. … In your steadfast love spare my life, so that I may keep the decrees of your mouth. … I Hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. … Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your custom toward those who love your name. … Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. I hope for your salvation, O LORD, and I fulfill your commandments. My soul keeps your decrees; I love them exceedingly. I keep your precepts and decrees, for all my ways are before you.… I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.” Psalm 119: 1-5, 41, 53, 88, 101, 132, 165-168, 176
I love this Psalm, it is brimming over with God’s promises of love, grace and salvation! Here also, the Psalmist (who represents me and you, all of us as individuals) declares his love of God’s Word, of the Law and tells how he will obey, follow and walk within God’s boundaries. But here also, the Psalmist cries out because of the struggle. After all the words expressing love of and for God’s law, and declaring obedience the Psalmist ends crying out – “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.” A cry to the shepherd from a lost sheep, who recognizes he/she is separated from the shepherd. How many times, have I, lost my way, turned away and found myself distant from The Shepherd? Praise God for Jesus who comes to save the lost, who leaves the 99 to look for the 1. Grace and mercy abound – “Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD.”