Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Lutheran Seminary's God Pause "Moved by the Promise" for Tuesday, 22 July 2014 - Read Psalm 119:129-136

Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Lutheran Seminary's God Pause "Moved by the Promise" for Tuesday, 22 July 2014 - Read Psalm 119:129-136 Every word you give me is a miracle word—
    how could I help but obey?
Break open your words, let the light shine out,
    let ordinary people see the meaning.
Mouth open and panting,
    I wanted your commands more than anything.
Turn my way, look kindly on me,
    as you always do to those who personally love you.
Steady my steps with your Word of promise
    so nothing malign gets the better of me.
Rescue me from the grip of bad men and women
    so I can live life your way.
Smile on me, your servant;
    teach me the right way to live.
I cry rivers of tears
    because nobody’s living by your book!(The Message)
The psalmist knows a great deal of information about God, but more importantly are the indications that the psalmist has a strong relationship with God. To know about God and to have a trusting relationship with God are two very different things. 
As persons concerned about the church as the people of God, this is the dilemma we sometimes face. I have a colleague who, once in while, with partial humor, quips, "I weep for future generations." I wonder how often school teachers say this in response to students who aren't excellent students of history, math, science, etc. The psalmist weeps because people do not know God, his Word, or have trusting relationships with God.
Are we like the psalmist who trusts the word, the laws, and the decrees of God so much that we treasure them in our souls? When they are lost or not kept, either by us or by our friends or by others, are we moved to tears on account of it? Simply put, the psalmist desires for all to seek and spend time with God.
Lord, provide us ways to help seek you and spend time with you this summer. Amen.
Sean Forde
Port Saint Lucie, Fla. 
Master of Divinity , 2005
Psalm 119:129 Your decrees are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
131 With open mouth I pant, because I long for your commandments.
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your custom toward those who love your name.
133 Keep my steps steady according to your promise, and never let iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from human oppression, that I may keep your precepts.
135 Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.
136 My eyes shed streams of tears because your law is not kept.(New Revised Standard Version)
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