Psalm 119:104-105
Stop.
Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Close your eyes and envision a path before you. Think about God walking with you. Take a few moments to find peace and rest in God’s presence with you on your faith journey today.
Listen.
Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – Psalm 119:104-105
Reflect.
This week, we start a new sermon series at Easter. It’s called “Word Of Life” and focuses on the favorite Bible passages of the preachers. Yes, we let each preacher decide what text would be heard and preached on each week in worship! For some preachers, it’s been a favorite Biblical passage that has guided their faith and life for years. For other preaches, the text is one that has held special meaning to them more recently. Either way, they will invite us to consider what God’s word in scripture means for us today.
One Biblical verse that gets cited whenever we consider the place of scripture in our lives is this one from Psalm 119. You’ll see that we’ve quoted verses 104 and 105; that’s not a typo. At 176 verses, this psalm is not only the longest psalm but the longest chapter in the entire Bible. The psalm is a long reflection on what it means to follow God in obedience, to look to God’s word for wisdom, and to find identity in the shape of scripture. Even if the entire psalm is too long for you to read right now, rest in the two verses cited here.
Let the words of this psalm encourage and inspire you as you consider the role of scripture in your life. What’s your relationship with the Bible? Do you feel guilty that you don’t read it enough? Worried that you don’t understand it? Concerned that it gets misused? Excited that there’s more you can experience? We all come to the Bible with a variety of concerns and hopes. No matter who you are or what you know (or don’t know), God’s word is for you.
This week, may you hear the invitation to encounter the good news of God’s love throughout scripture in a new way. May it inspire you to discover those passages that most speak to you of following God, finding identity, and growing in faith.
Pray.
Thank you, God, that your word speaks to me throughout scripture. Give me the wisdom I need to engage with the Bible. Grant me confidence to not only read it but to share what I learn. Through your Spirit, let it inspire me to keep serving you today. Amen.
Carry On.
Do you have a favorite verse, even if it’s just your favorite one this week? Look it up and put it on a sticky note somewhere you’ll see it every day. Do you think you can have it memorized by the end of the week?