Call to Walk With The Lord - Psalm 119.1-8

         We are not all blameless. We all have some kind of sin and guilt in our lives. But when we walk in the ways of God, He can cleanse us and make us “whiter than snow” (Ps. 51.7, Is. 1.18). How can we remain in this blessed state? By walking in the Law of the Lord. This means we are to do what God has taught us to do in His Word.
        Keeping God’s testimonies allows our lives to become reflections of who God is to the world around us. Therefore, when we keep God’s testimonies we are blessed. But so is everyone else because they get to know more about God. Once again, we must seek Him daily with our whole being, our whole heart as this will help keep our focus on Him and who He is.
        As we walk in the Law of the Lord and seek Him with our whole heart this will help us to stay away from sin. As Peter reminds us, “The Devil moves about as a roaring lion seeking who he may devour” (I Peter 5.8). How do we stay safe by walking in His ways?
        God is faithful, He is Just and He knows what is best for each and every one of us. However, if we refuse to obey His commands, to walk according to His precepts; then where do we think we are going to end up?
        The Psalmist says, “Thou has commanded us to keep Thy Precepts diligently.” What does He mean? First, Command—God has the authority to tell us what to do and therefore He has given to us direction, specific and clear direction on what to do and not to do (Commands or commandments).
Second, Precepts—Instruction regarding the duties we are to perform. These come from God and are given to us through His Word and prayer. They might seem like commands but they are different. Look at the Ten Commandments and the Law compare it to a passage like 1 John 3.16-18.
        The Psalmist calls us to be diligent in keeping God’s precepts—these duties He has instructed us to do. Isaiah 55.8 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord” (KJV). Now we must desire for our ways to be like God’s. This way we will walk according to His will and plans. The way we start is by following His statutes—His permanent and unchanging regulations. These things which sets us (our faith) apart from everyone else. Such as the Ten Commandments:
         1.Thou shalt have not other gods before Me
         2.Thou shalt not worship any other gods
         3.Thou shalt not take the Lord’s Name in vain
         4.Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy
         5.Honor thy Father and Mother
         6.Thou shalt not kill (murder)
         7.Thou shalt not commit adultery
         8.Thou shalt not steal
         9.Thou shalt not bear false witness
         10.Thou shalt not covet (want things that are not yours)
        Of course, Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself. In these are all the commandments contained” (Matthew 22.37-40, My emphasis added). What is God’s Word calling us to? There are so many things spelled out in God’s Word it can be hard sometimes to really know. However, the Psalmist is leading us down the path to be able to properly discern what God is saying to each of us.
         It is when we are willing to listen, placing God’s Word and His ways in the front of our lives, then we will be able to stand firm without apology, before a world declaring, “Who is God? What is He doing? What has He done in Your life?” We do not need to be afraid, because we have respect and honor for God’s commands—His authority to tell us what to do and we will obey.
        We will have Joy in our hearts, because of how it makes us feel to follow in His ways, in His righteousness. There is no other way which can give us such a feeling of Joy and peace then being obedient to the Word of the Lord. If we will keep the Lord’s statutes, walk in His ways, obey His commands, then we can be assured He will not forsake us.
       
Application
Spend some time meditating on the devotional, the passage of scripture (ps. 119.1-18) and then answer these questions honestly. As we move through Psalm 119, our prayer is what you answer today will move and change for the better, for the glory of God.
 
    1 — What does your walk with the Lord look like today? 
    2 — Are you obeying His commands, following His statutes, walking according to His ways?
    3 — It’s Never too late to start down the right road with God. Make today that day.
 
Daily Prayer
 
God Help me to hear your call, to obey your commands, to follow your statutes and to walk in Your ways. Lord I know I will not always do what is right, but help me to recall Your Word, to remember Your Ways, Commands, and Statutes. To not allow the devil to confuse me into believing one mistake means I am no good. Your Grace and Mercy are Greater than all my sins. Lord help me to follow You today, in Your Dear Son Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.