Psalms 119:57 - 64

Overview:
The Lord is all that matters to me (is my portion), so I will obey what You say. I want you to be pleased with me, so give me what I don't deserve (grace) according to Your promise. When I evaluate/examine myself, I compare myself with Your Word (59). I don't think about whether or not I will obey You, rather I run to obey Your commands. The cords of the wicked try to ensnare me, but I remember your Word and it releases me. When I have sleepless nights, I rise to praise you because of your righteous rules. I am friends with those who fear You and are obedient to You. Your love covers all the earth - teach me Your truths!
Application:
How do we get so caught up in "living" that we think we need more than God?! David the writer of this Psalm had much to consume his thoughts, yet he calls Yahwah his portion - his total treasure, that which is the most significant thing to him. If David who was a king, warrior, husband, father etc. had God uppermost in his mind throughout his life, this is a great example of what I need to do as well.
I also like verse 60, where he says basically that he doesn't think twice about obeying God - he does it! We cannot pass off our stubborn wills with the phrase: "I'm only human," as though that somehow explains away our bad behavior. Obedience is better than sacrifice, better than saying we love someone. Obedience SHOWS we love them. How have I shown my love for God today?
I am also caught up with verse 62 where he says he rises at midnight to pray. This sounds less and less like a mere sleepless night, but rather a regular disciplined practice of his to pray at midnight. Still doing some research on this, but to me it shows discipline. He's not just praying, but gets up and makes it something of significance rather than the prayers I pray falling in and out of sleep because I'm having a "bad night."
Just when I was getting bored with Psalm 119 and its repetition of the wonders of the Word of God (something I should NEVER be bored with!!), God showed me some significant things from His Word that I might have passed over in a hurried reading before. Praise You God!!

Philippians 4:11-14

Overview:
(11b) I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. (12)  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. (13) I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (14)  Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.
Application:
Paul could be content because he knew the secret to facing any kind of adversity - it is the power of the Holy Spirit in him, working through him, which strengthened him. Yet (but also) it is good to have friends come alongside and uphold you during those times. I have some of those kinds of friends and am glad they care enough to share in my trouble.

Psalm 119:57 - 64

Overview:
Lord, You are mine! (NLT) I promise to obey Your Words. I want You to be pleased with me, and to be gracious to me because of Your promises. When I think about what to do with my life, I go to the Word. (59) I immediately obey your commands. Because I've been in the Word, when evil people try to trick me they cannot. (61) I praise you in the night. My friends are those who fear You too and keep your Word. The earth shows evidence of your continual love - teach me to know You and Your Word more!
Application:
I like verse 59 that says "When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies;" The writer shows his humanity here by saying he thinks about his life and what direction to take first - then he goes to God's Word for the final decision. I think this is how we should consider our life. Think about it - God has given us minds to be used; then before we decide, consult Scripture for God's direction in the matter. At the same time, the writer says in verse 60, that he will hasten or hurry w/o delay to obey God's Word and the instructions that are written there.
I also love how this portion starts out: "Lord, You are mine!" If I think about God in general terms, He is not "real" to me. It's only when I think of myself as a part of His plan, and that He has plans for me, that is when I can acknowledge Him as mine. This is on a more personal relational note.
"My Jesus, I love thee. I know thou art mine...if ever I loved thee, my Jesus tis now!"

Psalm 119:49 - 56

Overview:
The promises in Your Word give me hope. The fact that your promises give me life, is a comfort when I'm going through problems. Even though those who think they know everything mock me, I won't turn away from Your Word. It gives me comfort as I meditate on Scripture that I've known for years. I get furious with those who reject Your Word. Your Word has made me sing as I live. In the quiet of the night, I think of You, and your commandments which I keep. I will spend my life obeying your commandments.
Application:
I have known the comfort that meditating on Scripture brings (even if it's not word perfect). I find that when I lay down for the night, the thoughts that flood my mind are the the things that are most important to me - if the Lord comes to mind - that's a good thing! Usually it's worries from the day, but meditating on Scripture and the goodness of my God brings comfort and release from anxiety. I will spend my life obeying your commandments. (v. 56)

Psalm 119:41-48

Overview:
Lord, I want your constant love. Save me like you promised. If you do, then I will show those who mock me. I trust in Your Word, so do not take it from you. Your Word is the only thing I have. I promise to eternally obey your Word. I have confidence because I have been faithful to Your Commandments. Because of my knowledge of the Word, I can speak to kings about it. I delight and love your Commandments. I lift my hands in honor and respect of your Word. I meditate on what it says.
Application:
There seems to be a bit of negotiating in the first verses of this section. If You do as you've promised, then I will... But then I don't know the writer's heart, nor do I know the why they spoke in those days. This Psalm is about God's Word, but it is also a Psalm of adoration. Adoring the words that God has inspired the writers to author, is showing my love for God as well. He loves when I delight and meditate on His Word. Knowledge of the Word gives me the confidence I need in talking to others - even kings (leaders).

Psalm 119:35 - 40

Overview:
I am happiest when I can walk no other way but in Your path. Make me love Your Word more than money. I want to have eyes only for Your Word. Wake me up to Your Word, so that I have a proper reverence and fear of You. Make me give up my shameful ways because I know your Rules are good. I long for your Word! Make me alive again with Your goodness.
Application:
Over and over again the writer begs for God to make His Word come alive, and have meaning to him. Verse 35, gives me a picture of a path that is walled in, so that the walker has no choice but to stay on the path. I need that very thing!! We/I think we want choices, but when we have choices, we frequently choose selfishly or unwisely. David too, knows this about himself - therefore he is asking God to hem him in, so that he has no choice but to move in God's path. I can relate! What is the thing I treasure most? Whatever it is, make me love Your Word more than my "treasure." Wake me up, revive and renew me - give me the excitement that new believers have as they discover what is in Your Word. Knowing I will fail if I try in my own power, "make me abandon my shameful ways." (v.39) I am asking this of You because I know your Word/Rules are good for me!
"Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. ...what He says we will do, where He sends we will go. Never fear, only trust and obey."