Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Lutheran Seminary's God Pause "Moved by the Promise" for Tuesday, 2 September 2014 - Psalm 119:33-40

Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Lutheran Seminary's God Pause "Moved by the Promise" for Tuesday, 2 September 2014 - Psalm 119:33-40 God, teach me lessons for living
    so I can stay the course.
Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—
    my whole life one long, obedient response.
Guide me down the road of your commandments;
    I love traveling this freeway!
Give me a bent for your words of wisdom,
    and not for piling up loot.
Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,
    invigorate me on the pilgrim way.
Affirm your promises to me—
    promises made to all who fear you.
Deflect the harsh words of my critics—
    but what you say is always so good.
See how hungry I am for your counsel;
    preserve my life through your righteous ways!(The Message)
When two people come together in marriage, the promises exchanged often revolve around the giving of each other's whole heart to their partner. To give your whole heart or to live with wholeheartedness with your spouse is to put his or her needs ahead of your own, to constantly think of your partner first and always to reorient your priorities for the sake of your partner. This is not an easy task, and the difficulty of living this intentional way with another human is often rife with pitfalls and needs continuous occasions for reconciliation.
The psalmist today is voicing this struggle in wholehearted living in relationship with God. The law is not merely a list of do's and don'ts but a way of living with God as the first priority. The law for the psalmist is freedom for an intimate relationship with God because God's law offers an alternative way of life to the materialism and self-gratification the world offers us. The way of life with God (the law) is the path to a life rich in the promises of God.
God of life, you walk with us always to keep us in your love and mercy. Continue to reveal to us that your law is love, grace and forgiveness not just for us but for all of creation. May we live fully into your promises of life. Amen.
Bridgett Weier
Englewood, Colo. 
Master of Divinity , 2012
Psalm 119:33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.
36 Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways.
38 Confirm to your servant your promise, which is for those who fear you.
39 Turn away the disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.
40 See, I have longed for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life.(New Revised Standard Version)
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