Directing Your Way By God’s Word
Brethren, the Psalms are no stranger to retelling of the hard circumstances that believers have faced in the past. We can grow in our faith and trust in God through their faithful example. The psalmist, in 119:25-32, is clinging to life because of hard circumstances. He needs help, and turns to God for it.
The psalmist begins by praying to God for understanding (25-27). He asks for his soul to be revived according to the promises of God’s word (1). He knows that understanding of God’s truth comes only by the illumination that God gives. He asks for help to understanding the teachings of the word of God so that he may understand his circumstances better and live according to His will (26-27).
He then prays for the strength to endure and be faithful in the midst of his great trial (28-29). His trial is so severe he weeps (28). He asks God for strength to bear up under his circumstances and trust Him. He needs God’s help to walk wisely according to God’s word and not chose the false way of this world (29). He knows he desperately needs God’s grace (29).
The psalmist then asks God for vindication (30-32). He asks God to show the world that his faith has been justified, and he should not be put to shame (31). He has chosen the way of faith rather than the false way (29-30). He “clings” to God’s word in these dire circumstances. He does not walk in obedience to God’s word, but rather “runs.” He lives with focus and urgency according the God’s truth (32). Because of his faithfulness God continues to give him greater understanding and a greater desire to obey (32).