Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Seder 109: Psalm 119:129-136---"The Unfolding of Your Words Gives Light"

As with other sections of Psalm 119, verses 129-136 praise the commandments of God.  The psalmist shows a hunger for the wisdom of God (verse 131).  As part of the blessing promised in Num 6:24-26, he asks for God to teach him (v 135).  He sheds an "irrigation canal's worth" of tears because of the needless suffering he sees around him, suffering caused by the breaking of God's commnadments.  

There are several memorable lines in this part of Psalm 119.  In a sermon at Church of the Messiah on July 23, 2022, Kyle Kettering reflected on one of them, in verse 130a:  "The unfolding of your words gives light."  

Kyle noted that we may read some scriptural text once or more than once and not be moved by it.  He quoted Job 33:14: "For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it."

He pointed out that timing matters.  When the time is right, a light will go on, and God will have communicated something new and important to us.  We see a striking example in Luke 24, where the resurrected Jesus teaches his disciples, opening their eyes to the meaning of the events they have just experienced.  

Kyle suggested we investigate a biblical text and talk about it with someone.  He also urged that we keep praying about situations that we may have given up on.  When the timing is right, God's word will shed light on those situations.

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