With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. Psalm 119:10,11,18,19
Can I really cry out like David, that I have sought God with all my heart? Has it been the plea of my heart not to wander from God’s commandments? That would be my desire; yet, how often in this lifetime did I wander after counterfeit joys? A pilgrim wandering about on a journey of life down many roads; yet, every road ultimately lead me back to home-to God’s love. It has been His wondrous Grace every step of the way, teaching me to love His laws and commandments more. Rebellious hearts that we are, search for “freedom” from the laws that might bind. We want to speak of freedom as though it were “free to do as we wish” in search of joy at the expense of all. We bow down to worship at the altar of self; only, to then find emptiness and despair.
I am completely discouraged—I lie in the dust. Revive me by your Word. I told you my plans and you replied. Now give me your instructions. Make me understand what you want; for then I shall see your miracles. I weep with grief; my heart is heavy with sorrow; encourage and cheer me with your words. Keep me far from every wrong; help me, undeserving as I am, to obey your laws, for I have chosen to do right. I cling to your commands and follow them as closely as I can. Lord, don’t let me make a mess of things. If you will only help me to want your will, then I will follow your laws even more closely. Psalm 119:25-32 (TLB)
Then, it is there as we lie in the ashes of our own selfish desires; that, we by Grace might see a glimpse of His Glory.
There we realize that the laws which we thought bound our freedom are truly the hallmark of our freedom.
As we study God’s words, become entrenched in His love; we find His laws free us from the evil chains that bind our hearts. Without those laws of virtue, we are chained like slaves to the darkest recesses of our own heart. There is no freedom to love if we are searching for selfish gain from love. I am only free to love another when I no longer expect them to meet my needs in return. Only then can I truly love, freely for who they are. Only then can I love their soul, pray for their eternity, and rejoice in their success.
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation, according to thy word. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. Psalm 119:34-44
That has become the plea of my heart, just as it was David’s. Come Lord, teach me to love Your laws, to follow your commandments. Remove from my heart every selfish desire. Show mercy to my faltering steps; yet, hold fast and firm that I might walk in Your ways. Guide each step; because without You Lord showing me the way, I cannot understand Your truth. Then, as we learn His precepts and grow in our knowledge of Him; then we can walk in liberty. Freed from our selfish desires, freed from greed, and freed from the lies of this world. Free to stand in His righteousness, His Gracious Glory, and free to truly know the abounding riches of His Joy in our lives.
[bctt tweet=”Only When I am freed from selfish desires, can I know the abounding Riches of God’s Joy in my life.” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. Psalm 119:45[/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith. Alexis de Tocqueville” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. … Benjamin Franklin[/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”The laws which we thought bound our freedom we find are truly the hallmark of our freedom.” username=”effiedarlene”]
Living Bible (TLB)
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.