Scripture: Psalm 119:9-16 (NRSV)
DEVOTIONAL: One of the many gifts of my childhood was the priority my parents placed on church. If there was a service, we were there, and it was important to be quiet and attentive. I loved the singing most of all, but it wasn’t a chore to sit still through the rest. I giggle at the memory that we even unwrapped our occasional pieces of candy before church to be sure there weren’t sounds of crinkling plastic during the sermon.
Unlike noisy diversions, Bible reading was always acceptable during church. Psalms was a favorite place to page through when I lost interest in the grownups’ sermon. Psalm 119 stood out as the giant that spread over multiple pages.
Now what catches my eye about the psalm is this phrase in verse 10: “With my whole heart I seek you.” This is an active response to placing our lives in God’s hands. We seek the Holy One in order to follow. And our following leads to a life of service.
It’s easy to linger in the comforting image of resting in God’s hands. There are times in life when that’s all that can be asked of us.
But this Lent, I want to dwell on the way the image also calls us to action. Our lives are in God’s hands — I can think of no more dynamic place than to be in the palm of the One who shapes the world. We’re at the center of the activity. May we experience this as both grace and catalyst.
Scripture: Psalm 119:9-16 (NRSV)
How can young people keep their way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
10With my whole heart I seek you; do not let me stray from your commandments.
11I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you.
12Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes.
13With my lips I declare all the ordinances of your mouth.
14I delight in the way of your decrees as much as in all riches.
15I will meditate on your precepts, and fix my eyes on your ways.
16I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.