Suffering: Dying that we might live

Week 5, Day 3

Begin with two minutes of silence.

Scripture : Psalm 119: 9-16 NASB

How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. I have treasured Your word in my heart, So that I may not sin against You. Blessed are You, Lord; Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have told of All the ordinances of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

Devotional

By Angie Feuerstein

These verses spoke to me during a time I was looking for peace about a decision, wanting to be free of anxiety and guilt in the complexity of it. Ah, I wanted “pure” in the “way” I was to go.

When we have decisions to make regarding what we want or what is best for someone else, I’m here to say some suffering is involved.

I saw an answer to keeping my way pure in defining “your word.” John 1:1 points out the Word is JESUS! “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Not words on a page, rigid rules or pressure but a relationship to prefer.

Psalm 119 is a focus on HIS way as reflected in His Word! Jesus clearly modeled for us the way of love. “Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

In the end, intimacy with Jesus informed my heart that laying down my way out of love was worth it. The anxiety and guilt moved over for true satisfaction, joy and release.

Question to Consider

Is your “way” kept by heartfelt seeking the Lord and His Word or is it defined by where your appetites draw you?

Prayer

Dear Jesus, I do want to be clean and spotless with your purity but my own will gets in the way sometimes. I look to you, I will not forget Jesus who laid His life down.

Linger in silence for 2 minutes