
I have been reading Psalm 119, yes all of it...and you are right
Heather, I didn't die.
I have read it many times before.
I have even done the excercise where you underline laws and precepts and statutes describing God's Word.
David loved God's Word, it was sweeter to him than honey (vs 103) and more valuable than gold, and not just gold, but PURE gold (vs 127).
But this time when I am reading it, I am focusing on the heart.
Think about all the aspects of your heart.
When you are excited...your heart is happy.
When you are scared...your heart races.
When you are sad...your heart hurts.
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23
We know that David was a man after God's own heart.
When he sinned, which he did big time, just like us, he repented (as we should) and ran back to God, because He loved God and hated every wrong path (vs 104 and 128).
I believe this is because of his heart. When you love God and seek Him with all of your heart, you will hate sin.
In verse after verse in this chapter it is about the heart.
Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. vs 2
I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. vs 30
I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. vs 32
I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. vs 58
My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end. vs 112
I call with all my heart; answer me, O LORD, and I will obey your decrees. vs 145
Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word. vs 161
David doesn't seek God with his mind or his voice or even his eyes. Those can all be deceived. God knows our hearts, we can not hide that from Him.
David was desperate for God with his whole heart. He wasn't concerned about what he looked like on the outside or saying the right thing to impress man.
When he did seek God with his lips, it was only to recount all the laws that come from your (God's) mouth. (vs 13)
He was completely and totally focused on God, His Word and obedience.
"These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. Isaiah 29:13
That is not what I want. I do not want my walk with the Lord to be out of routine and just simply what I do.
I want every day to be seeking God with all of my heart and chasing after Him with a passion and love that can not be described.
I am praying that God will continue to teach me how to do that.