I've been spending a lot of devotional time in Psalm 119 this year.
I'm struck by two things:
1- the "practices" that the Psalmist engages in as he walks with God. He is intentional about "walking, keeping, seeking, delighting in, treasuring" God's Word, Commandments, and His Ways.
2- how often he appeals to God for an inner work in his own heart - he is seeking God's help, enlightening, comfort, etc.
I'm not a "God helps those who help themselves" theologian, but nor am I a "let go and let God" kind of guy. There is a mystery to sanctification as we consider the inner work of God and the disciplines or means of Grace.
While there is no neat formula on how those aspects relate, it is clear to me that they do.
I've taken the verses from Psalm 119 that relate to those two areas and put them side by side. I probably missed some.
Each side could be an aide in our prayer time as we seek God's grace and power for the "practices" and for the "appeals".
Wed pm Men’s Group 4/12/17
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Practices from Psalm 119
How blessed are
those whose way is blameless,
Who walk in the law of the Lord.
2 How blessed are
those who observe His testimonies,
Who seek Him with all their heart.
3 They also do no unrighteousness;
They walk in His ways.
shall give thanks to You with uprightness of
heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgments.
8 I shall keep Your statutes;
With all my heart I
have sought You;
Do not let me wander
from Your commandments.
11 Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin
against You.
I have rejoiced in the way of Your
testimonies,
As much as in all
riches.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts
And regard Your ways.
16I shall delight in Your statutes;
I shall not forget
Your word.
24 Your testimonies
also are my delight;
They are my counselors.
30 I have chosen the faithful way;
I have placed Your ordinances before
me.
31I cling to Your testimonies;
O Lord, do not put me to shame!
47 I shall delight in Your commandments,
Which I love.
48 And I shall lift up my hands to Your
commandments,
Which I love;
And I will meditate on Your statutes.
52 I have remembered Your ordinances from of
old, O Lord,
And comfort myself.
54Your statutes are my
songs
In the house of my pilgrimage.
55O Lord, I remember Your name in the night,
And keep Your law.
56This has become
mine,
That I observe Your precepts.
60 I hastened and did
not delay
To keep Your commandments.
61The cords of the
wicked have encircled me,
But I have not forgotten Your law.
62At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You
Because of Your
righteous ordinances.
63 I am a companion of all those who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.
92 If Your law had not
been my delight,
Then I would have perished
in my affliction.
93I will never forget Your precepts,
For by them You have
revived me.
97 O how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
100I understand more
than the aged,
Because I have observed Your precepts.
101 I have restrained my feet from every evil
way,
That I may keep Your word.
102 I have not turned aside from Your
ordinances,
For You Yourself
have taught me.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your
statutes
Forever, even to
the end.
113 I hate those who are double-minded,
But I love Your law.
114 You are my hiding
place and my shield;
I wait for Your word.
127Therefore I love Your commandments
Above gold, yes,
above fine gold.
128Therefore I esteem right all Your precepts
concerning everything,
I hate every false way.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I wait for Your words.
148My eyes anticipate the night watches,
That I may meditate on Your word.
164 Seven times a day I praise You,
Because of Your
righteous ordinances.
166 I hope for Your salvation, O Lord,
And do Your commandments.
167 My soul keeps Your testimonies,
And I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep Your precepts and Your
testimonies,
For all my ways are
before You.
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Appeals to God’s
Work Psalm 119
5 Oh that my ways may
be established
To keep Your
statutes!
10 With all my heart I
have sought You;
Do not let me wander
from Your commandments.
12 Blessed are You, O Lord;
Teach me Your
statutes.
17 Deal bountifully
with Your servant,
That I may live and
keep Your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I
may behold
Wonderful things
from Your law.
29 Remove the false way
from me,
And graciously grant
me Your law.
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall observe
it to the end.
34 Give me
understanding, that I may observe Your law
And keep it with
all my heart.
35 Make me walk in the
path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.
36 Incline my heart to
Your testimonies
And not to dishonest gain.
37 Turn away my eyes
from looking at vanity,
And revive me in
Your ways.
38 Establish Your word
to Your servant,
As that which
produces reverence for You.
39 Turn away my
reproach which I dread,
71 It is good for me
that I was afflicted,
That I may learn
Your statutes.
73 Your hands made me
and fashioned me;
Give me understanding,
that I may learn Your commandments.
88 Revive me according
to Your lovingkindness,
So that I may keep
the testimony of Your mouth.
107 I am exceedingly
afflicted;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
116 Sustain me according
to Your word, that I may live;
And do not let me be
ashamed of my hope.
117 Uphold me that I may
be safe,
That I may have
regard for Your statutes continually.
124 Deal with Your
servant according to Your lovingkindness
And teach me Your
statutes.
133 Establish my
footsteps in Your word,
And do not let any
iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from the
oppression of man,
That I may keep Your
precepts.
135 Make Your face shine
upon Your servant,
And teach me Your
statutes.
149 Hear my voice
according to Your lovingkindness;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your ordinances.
153 Look upon my
affliction and rescue me,
For I do not forget
Your law.
154 Plead my cause and
redeem me;
Revive me according
to Your word.
169 Let my cry come
before You, O Lord;
Give me
understanding according to Your word.
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