I Hang on to these words for dear life! Psalm 119

In my ongoing commitment to post all of Psalm 119 on my blog, here's Psalm 119:41-56

41-48 Let your love, God, shape my life with salvation, exactly as you promised; Then I'll be able to stand up to mockery because I trusted your Word. Don't ever deprive me of truth, not ever— your commandments are what I depend on.

Oh, I'll guard with my life what you've revealed to me, guard it now, guard it ever; And I'll stride freely through wide open spaces as I look for your truth and your wisdom; Then I'll tell the world what I find, speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed. I cherish your commandments—oh, how I love them!—relishing every fragment of your counsel.

49-56 Remember what you said to me, your servant—I hang on to these words for dear life! These words hold me up in bad times; yes, your promises rejuvenate me. The insolent ridicule me without mercy, but I don't budge from your revelation.

I watch for your ancient landmark words, and know I'm on the right track. But when I see the wicked ignore your directions, I'm beside myself with anger. I set your instructions to music and sing them as I walk this pilgrim way. I meditate on your name all night, God, treasuring your revelation, O God. Still, I walk through a rain of derision because I live by your Word and counsel.

There are so many things I think of as I read through this passage of scripture. My heart engages with the Psalmist as he prays, "let your love, God, shape my life with salvation exactly as you promised..." Once again, I love praying these scriptures for myself.

As I read verses 49 and 50, I can't help but think of Abraham. "Remember what you said to me, your servant—I hang on to these words for dear life! These words hold me up in bad times; yes, your promises rejuvenate me."

I think Abraham could relate to that. For in Romans 4 it says, "even when there was no reason to hope, Abraham kept hoping...believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, 'That's how many descendants you will have!"

Abraham kept hoping because God had made him a promise. God had spoken to him about His direction for his life, and Abraham held on to that.

Maybe God has spoken something to you about His plans for your life...but you don't see it happening yet, and yet like the Psalmist who wrote Psalm 119, you can relate because you too have sought God's ancient landmark words, and He confirms, and you know you're on the right track.

I hang on to Your words O Lord for dear life. I put my hope in you... "and hope does not disappoint us." Romans 5:5