Stray sheep
Melanie - February 9, 2010
Last week I wrote this post about the Scripture Memory Event that I attended in Houston.
Several of you asked if I would share the rest of the points that Beth made in her discussion of Psalm 119, so who am I to hold back?
Please realize this is a quick summation of what she said because I really don't want to write the longest post in the history of the Allaccess blog, although I probably already hold that distinction because I love the wordy.
Psalm 119 has 176 verses that are an alphabetical acrostic. Basically, it's life from A to Z; sadness, joy, tears and laughter.
Here are the eight parts of the sentence that describe its message:
1. I'm a resident alien...
v. 19 "I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me" - We're filled with a longing for something we can't find on earth.
2. ...seeking direction
v. 105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." - God really does have a direction for us. When it's time to move, He will show us the time and the direction. It's up to us to obey.
3. ...in deep want of wonder
v. 18 "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." - We have a soul craving for wonder. Have we lost our sense of wonder regarding God?
4. ...in peril and need
v. 25 "I am laid low in the dust"
v. 28 "my soul is weary"
There are 70 different prayer requests in Psalm 119. If it's in God's word, then we can ask it for ourselves.
5. ...we are troubled by humanity
v. 81-88 "When will you punish my persecutors?" - We want to see God act, but Ezekiel 33:10 says, "the Lord takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked."
6. ...especially my own
v. 133 "let no sin rule over me." - Biblical blamelessness is not perfection. It is to be free of willful sin.
7. ...knowing that to follow is the only free road
v. 30-32 "you have set my heart free" - Prayer should relieve burdens. If we still feel weighted down, then we're trying to play God.
8. ...for a stray sheep longing to be found.
v. 176 "I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands."
Christ came looking for me. Christ came looking for you.
I don't know about you, but that last part makes me want to put my head down and bawl my eyes out.
Melanie
Melanie
Sophie
Sophie
Paige
Paige
Kris
Kris
Comments (2)
I loved seeing you there Melanie! : )
You are precious! Enjoyed reading through your summary…
Need to keep pressing it in! : )
Emmy
Posted on February 9, 2010 8:50 PM
This is a super recap of Beth’s messages. In fact, this makes much more sense than my notes! And yes, that last one had me in tears then and still leaves me breathless today.
Posted on February 10, 2010 2:46 PM