Blessed are they who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart.
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.
My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
I run in the path of your commands,
for you have set my heart free.
Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
May your unfailing love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise; I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.
I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. (Psalm 119)
During this transition in my life, God is my constant. He is my identity, he gives me hope. The transition has been wonderful with God by my side. With my surroundings and circumstances changing around me, (new marriage, new home, leaving my family and college friends, making new friends etc) God has been my anchor and my refuge. I read these verses this morning and they really stuck out to me. I want these words to be more true of my life. I want to read more of Gods word and apply it to my life. i want to be lead by God into the right paths he has for me. I want to seek The Lord even more and follow His commands, for there I will find delight.
It is so neat to think that he already knows the plans for my life (and yours) and he just wants us to put Him first and trust in Him and follow Him wherever he leads, even if it is not what you originally had planned! He ultimately knows the best direction we should go. If you are caught in a place of struggle or helplessness, call on Jesus, and simply ask for wisdom and believe. He will direct your paths.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5, 6)
In all our ways we are to acknowledge him. Lets stop there. What does that exactly mean?
According to the words in the original text, a "way" is
1) way, road, distance, journey, manner
a) road, way, path
b) journey
c) direction
d) manner, habit, way
e) of course of life (fig.)
f) of moral character (fig.)
So if in all our "WAYS" or "journey, direction, manner, habits, course or life, or moral character" we "ACKNOWLEDGE" him, he promises he will make our paths straight.
So how do we acknowledge him with all our "ways?" Well we know acknowledge means:
1. to admit to be real or true; recognize the existence, truth, or fact of
2. to show or express recognition or realization of
3. to recognize the authority, validity, or claims of
We must acknowledge he exists, show him our recognition, recognize His authority in our lives, and the validity and claims of his word.
Hebrews 11:6 says "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
We must first believe that He exists, that God is the creator of the universe, who out of deep love sent His son Jesus to die for our sins and paid the penalty we should have paid. In order that we may KNOW God better and be able to have a relationship with Him through Jesus. We will not know which way to go or be able to please God without acknowledging Jesus as our savior and Lord and following His word. And we can't follow his words, unless we read them and have them in our heart!
Knowing and acknowledging God will affect our ways, our journey, our habits, and our character. It will affect our entire way of life.
Are you acknowledging or recognizing God in all your ways? As you go about life do you neglect Gods existence or just forget he is there?
If you are like me, we can get so caught up in the day to day of life and forget why we were put on this earth. Maybe we know why we are on this earth and we know we each have a purpose, but are distracted by things of this world that steal your affections from God. Sometimes it's not even things that are "sin" or necessarily "bad" that steal your affections, but maybe they are good, even God-given, but they have just become the focus of your life, put before God and it has become an idol. It could be a person, a job, a career path, a dream you had for yourself. Ask yourself if you have acknowledged God is this area of your life and make the necessary adjustments in order to bring God back into the focus of your life. Gods greatest command is the "Love The Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And to love your neighbor as yourself."
Lets seek God out more by reading his word and asking him for direction in every area of our lives! He will make our paths straight and He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. His promises are always true, as we serve a faithful God.
Dear Lord, help me to seek you more everyday. To truly acknowledge you on my journey through life. Give me understanding through your word, help me to obey your commands and to always recognize the work you are doing in my life and around me. I put my trust in you and acknowledge you exist and that you will make known to me the path of life and will reward all who put their faith in you. Help me get rid of distractions or anything that displeases you. I love you!
In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
