Today’s reading is Psalm 119 (vss. 129-144).
A Fear of Faltering
Our psalmist loves God’s law. He delights in God’s law. There was a time when he ignored God’s law, but God, according to His Word, faithfully afflicted the psalmist. This affliction prompted the psalmist to repent. Now the psalmist faithfully walks in accord with God’s statutes and precepts. The word itself is light to his path and a lamp to his way. The word reveals the traps and snares left on the path by the enemy.
But now the psalmist brings in a new concern. He fears he may simply falter. Or perhaps I should say he fears he may be pushed to faltering. In Psalm 119:133-134, he mentions two hindrances and obstacles to a steady walk. We’ll address the second one first because it is more obvious. In vs. 134, he fears the oppression from other people will overcome him and hinder his ability to keep the Lord’s precepts. I think this is more than just an issue of facing temptation from others. Rather, it is the issue of others somehow, through oppression, forcing the man into sin. Whether or not we would find the man culpable in that scenario and whether or not God would, the psalmist doesn’t want to falter at all. He is not so much concerned here with whether God would count him guilty. He simply doesn’t want to do anything against God’s will even if forced by oppression of some other person.
The first obstacle is mentioned in vs. 133. “Let no iniquity get dominion over me” (ESV). Paul tells us in Romans 6:16 if we present ourselves to sin to obey sin, we become slaves to sin. In the context of the Romans passage, Paul explains we Christians must not present ourselves to sin because sin is not to have dominion over us. The psalmist wants the same thing Paul wants. He fears sin will get the better of him. He knows only God can give him the wisdom and the strength to avoid the dominion of sin.
Because he fears the faltering, he begs for the Numbers 6:24-26 blessing. He needs the Lord to bless him (don’t forget how this psalm began), he needs the Lord to keep him, he needs the Lord to shine His face upon him.
May we pray the same request. May the Lord steady our steps in the face of sin and oppressors. May the Lord shine His face upon us.
Praise the Lord!
Today’s reading is Psalm 119 (vss. 129-144).
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PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
How does Psalm 119:129-144 prompt or improve your praise of God?
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