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This week, we’re in Practice #2: Grow in God’s Word. Specifically, we’ll spend four days in Psalm 119. We will enter into God’s presence through His holy Word today. If you can, give yourself 15 minutes to just be with God. Set a timer and put everything else away except for you, your Bible, and the device you’re reading this on.

Let’s start: “God, you are good and you are true. You’ve given me your Word as a gift. Thank you that I can know you. Thank you that I can worship you. Open my mind to your truth as I contemplate your words in Psalm 119. Open my eyes - let me see You.”

Now, let’s read from the NET (New English Translation):1 How blessed are those whose actions are blameless, who obey the law of the LORD.

2  How blessed are those who observe his rules, and seek him with all their heart,

3  who, moreover, do no wrong, but follow in his footsteps.

4  You demand that your precepts be carefully kept.

5  If only I were predisposed to keep your statutes.

6  Then I would not be ashamed, if I were focused on all your commands.

7  I will give you sincere thanks, when I learn your just regulations.

8  I will keep your statutes. Do not completely abandon me.

Today, we’ll practice a Bible study method that includes highlighting or underlining certain types of words. Grab a colored marker or pen and underline/highlight all of the verbs that are assigned to humans in this passage. Circle all the verbs that are assigned to God.

Now write them out.*

What difference do you observe in these two categories of verbs? 

How would you describe God’s relationship to humans? 

What we see in these first eight verses is that humanity is called to a posture of surrender - submitting ourselves to the leadership of God. We are not in charge of our lives. Rather, God’s Word claims a place of highest authority. What a relief it is to know that the God of creation is good enough to care for us and guide us! We don’t have to make up the rules. We just need to obey God, observe what He says, and follow His lead.

Choose one of those verbs you underlined/highlighted. How are you doing in that area? Spend some time in prayer and confession. Ask God to help you re-submit yourself to Him and His Word.

Now draw a square around the phrase “How blessed” in verses 1 and 2. Write out what God says leads to blessing. Sit in that for a while. Consider what biblical blessing is, in contrast with what the world describes as “blessed.” Do you have blessing in your life, according to the definition in Psalm 119? If not, why? Spend some time in prayer and confession. Ask God to help you consider His Word as the source of blessing in your life.

Close your time by meditating on the perfection of God. Indeed, it is staggering, isn’t it? Rest in His all-knowing, all-wise ways. 

*Verbs about humans: obey, observe, seek, follow, keep, focus on, give thanks, learn, keep; verbs about God: demand