THE DESIRE OF THE RIGHTEOUS
TEXT: PSALM 119:33-40.
It is advisable you meditatively read the text for better understanding
🔑KEY VERSE “Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end” (PSALM 119:33).
We live in a world where many people are preoccupied with thoughts of how to get rich. Consequently, they enmesh themselves in the rat-race for money. Added to this are quests for knowledge and scientific discovery which have made many to attach little or no value to spiritual matters. They care little about their relationship with God.
In contrast, the psalmist in our text expressed a burning desire for spiritual things. Being a righteous man, he was always thinking of his relationship with God, how to please Him at all times and dwell with Him in eternity. He had previously expressed his heartfelt desires by saying, “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? (Psalm 42:1,2).
Through his petitions, the psalmist expressed his heart’s desire: he wanted to know more of God’s statutes in order to keep them. He never got too familiar with God’s word. We should never be satisfied with the level of our spiritual state. There is a need for us to constantly long for God and His word.
Every heaven-bound pilgrim should always pray for the grace to be preserved from the pollution of this present evil world. The coming of the Lord is imminent. Daily self-examination is indispensable for every believer who desires to be part of His Kingdom. The Lord is not interested in partial obedience; rather, He delights in total obedience to His commandments.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Never get too familiar with God’s word.
BIBLE IN A YEAR ACTS 1-2.
MEDITATION
The often neglected conditions for answered prayers
- Prayer: Lord teach me…
Condition: Decision to do whatever He teaches v1. - Prayer: Give me understanding…
Condition: Wholehearted determination to keep and observe the revealed truth v34. - Prayer: Direct my steps to do Your will.
Conditions: You must have love for the will or word of God v35. - Prayer: Touch my heart to focus on your word.
Condition All ungodly and worldly distractions must be crushed by prayer of consecration v35. - Prayer: Turn my eyes from the deception of worldly and vain things.
Condition: You must be quickened by the Holy Spirit and be strong in the Lord v37. - Check vv38,39 for the prayers and the conditions for answers.
Q Are those prayer points part of your heartfelt prayers? Reflect. Pray that they will.
Q How faithful are you to the conditions?
Pray earnestly on each of the prayer points in the text
Pray seriously on each of the prayer points in the Hymn below
Pray that all the satanic agenda surrounding COVID-19 will be destroyed
Pray that God will use this COVID-19 to awaken the church from slumber and to save many souls
HYMN Lord speak to me
- Lord, speak to me, that I may speak
In living echoes of Thy tone;
As Thou hast sought, so let me seek
Thy erring children lost and lone.
2
O lead me, Lord, that I may lead
The wandering and the wavering feet;
O feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Thy hungering ones with manna sweet.
3
O strengthen me, that while I stand
Firm on the rock, and strong in Thee,
I may stretch out a loving hand
To wrestlers with the troubled sea.
4
O teach me, Lord, that I may teach
The precious things Thou dost impart;
And wing my words, that they may reach
The hidden depths of many a heart.
5
O give Thine own sweet rest to me,
That I may speak with soothing power
A word in season, as from Thee
To weary ones in needful hour.
6
O fill me with Thy fulness, Lord,
Until my very heart o’erflow
In kindling thought and glowing word,
Thy love to tell, Thy praise to show.
7
O use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where,
Until Thy blessed face I see,
Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share!
