Plugging In-- Psalm 119:34-40

And You Expect Me To Read This?
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible and so, of course, it is also the longest psalm. It is 176 verses with 22 sections, eight verses in each section. Each section is dedicated to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and every line in the section, all 16, begins with that letter of the alphabet. On top of this, every line says something different about God’s law or word. This is a very focused poem and an excellent structure.
Of course, it is difficult to read. It is VERY long and it seems very repetitive. And it is just about impossible to preach, due to its length. But we can look at a single section, one section that is very significant to me, dedicated to the Hebrew letter He, and see what it says to us.

Guide me by, O Yahweh, the way of your statutes
And I will keep it as the end.
Give me understanding that I might treasure your teaching
And keep it with all of my heart.
Guide me in the path of your commands
For I deeply desire it.
Direct my heart to your testimonies
And not to unjust gain
Avert my eyes from looking at worthless things.
Direct my life in your paths.
Fulfill your word to your worshipper
That he might revere you.
Turn away the reproach which I dread
For your ordinances are good.
See, I have yearned for your precepts
Keep me alive through your righteousness.

What Are We Talking About?
God’s word is a writing, a listing of God’s guidance for humanity, especially the people who are called by His name. It is God’s speech, written down by humans, filled with how God, the creator of all people should live. It isn’t just a bunch of rules and stories, but as a whole it describes a way of life, a lifestyle in which God’s people are distinct from any other people on earth, and which they can continue to commune with God.

What the Bible Actually Does
God’s word is an important ingredient in living before God. Other peoples seek God’s will through divination or tarot cards or horoscopes. But God’s people have His word, which never changes. It communicates clearly a way of life we are to live, a constant connection with God. It points out that which is evil and will cause us to be destroyed. It also directs us to a positive life, how we can have a purposeful existence. It directs us in the proper worship of God, a way in which He is pleased. And it also offers promises to us, should we live this life that God directs us in.

Empowering the Word
As good and as helpful as God’s word is, it is incomplete in and of itself. The fact is, when God’s word is mixed with human frailty then all we get is a mess. We convince ourselves that God’s word is incomplete, or that it doesn’t really understand our situation that we are in. We convince ourselves that it doesn’t say what it really says. We tell ourselves that the word is too difficult for us to really live out. Or we try to fulfill His promises, only to find out that we fail in that, too. How do we get out of this cycle?
Through God’s power. God wants to help us, and He wants us to live out His word. Not because He’s a control freak, but because He actually wants what’s best for us and for those around us. So He empowers our connection to His word. He strengthens us to live out the word. He brings us to His word to help us know that it is the way to His heart. He helps us understand His word, when we want to avoid it or misinterpret it. But most of all, He will keep his promises, when we can’t. It is not our job to fulfill His promises, but His. And if we wait on Him, he will do it.

The Good Life
For the power of God to live out His word, the psalmist gains great blessings. The psalmist avoids a worthless, meaningless life. His eyes want him to focus on his desires and his heart wants him to seek out comforts that are unrighteous, but God’s word and God’s power helps him avoid all that. Instead, he is able to live a life of obedience. Such a life doesn’t seem very attractive, until we see that God’s full power and love and blessing support a life of obedience. The one who lives according to God’s will is kept alive by God and his deepest desires are met. God transforms his desires to reflect His word and those desires are granted, satisfied completely.

Connecting To The Power Source
So what do we need to do to obtain such a life? How can we be completely satisfied in our lives? How do we have such communion with God and His word that we can be content? The secret of it is found in the psalm although it is never stated plainly. In the He passage, we must note, that every verse is a prayer. This is actually the action of the obedient one to keep him in God’s good graces, to receive of God’s blessing. To obtain the satisfaction of God, satisfaction in God, then we must ask. We must persevere in prayer, seeking God’s life. We will not obtain it today, or perhaps tomorrow. But continuing prayer will do its work when yoga, meditation, bible reading, going to church and going through other rituals will not. Because prayer is connecting to power. One can have a microwave and the microwave will do many great things to help our lives. But only if we have a place to plug it is. God’s word is like that—we have and opportunity for a great, satisfying life in God, but if we do not connect to our Power Source, then we will never obtain anything except frustration.