“Take away the disgrace I dread, for Your laws are good.” -Psalm 119:39

The disgrace he dreads is God’s judgment. The psalmist takes sin seriously. He knows God’s ways are best and longs to always obey. Yet like the apostle Paul, he still contends with his flesh, lamenting as Paul did, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Romans 7:15). David confesses God’s laws are good and right. This singular verse can serve as a prayer for us as well, seeking God’s help to walk in His ways. Having said that, believers know their salvation is secure in Christ and we are no longer condemned (Romans 8:1). So we can echo such a prayer-verse as part of our sanctification to take off the old and put on the new nature. In this way we are being renewed day by day to reflect the glory of our Savior (2 Corinthians 3:18; 4:16-18).

“How I long for Your precepts! Preserve my life in Your righteousness.” -Psalm 119:40

What a gift to long for something good, true and holy. Without the Lord life has no meaning. God provides this desire in each of His saints but it is our responsibility to keep seeking God every day. Love blooms here. The fruit of perseverance is love. As the psalmist seeks God, he wants more of Him, longing for His Presence. He prays for the Lord to preserve his life according to His righteousness. We all want our lives to count, to know we matter in a world that seems purposeless. God dignifies our lives, our very souls, with His imprint of righteousness on us. As a king uses his signet ring to verify his signature, so God has sealed every one of His children with Christ’s blood. Our lives are eternally preserved in His. Praise Jesus!

Grace upon grace,

April