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Psalms 119:17-24

Text:
"17 Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. 18 Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law. 19 I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me!
20 My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times. 21 You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
who wander from your commandments. 22 Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies. 23 Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.
24 Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors."
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Lexicon:
vs. 17 - deal bountifully - "to treat a person well, to give, to do good to anyone, to cherish, to wean a child, to ripen a fruit"
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vs. 17 - live - "to breathe, to live well, to flourish, to prosper, to continue safe and sound, to recover health, to call back to life or restore life, to keep alive"
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vs. 18 - open my eyes - "to make naked, to reveal, to uncover anything, to open the eyes and show things hidden from mortals"
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vs. 18 - behold - "to look, to have respect for anything, to rest one's hope in anything"
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vs. 18 - wondrous things - "to separate or consecrate, to distinguish, miracles of God in both creating and sustaining the world"
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vs. 20 - consumed - "to break in pieces by scraping and rubbing, to crush, to dissolve"
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vs. 20 - longing - "desire"
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vs. 21 - rebuke - "to chide, rebuke, to reprove anyone as a father does a son"
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vs. 21 - wander - "to go astray, to mistake, to transgress through inadvertence, to reel or be enraptured"
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vs. 23 - meditate - "to ponder, to converse with oneself aloud, to utter, to produce, to bring forth, to sing, to celebrate anything in song, to think upon anything"
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vs. 24 - testimonies - "something that testifies, a precept"
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vs. 24 - delight - "enjoyment, pleasure"
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vs. 24 - counselors - "common man, also used in reference to the Son of Man (Jesus)"
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What does this reveal about God's character?
God is merciful. He gives life, breath, prosperity, safety, health and restoration to His children. As we seek Him through His word, He will open our eyes and uncover that which was hidden. He will reveal Himself and His holiness as we pursue Him. God is our Father. He disciplines us when we stray and become entangled in sin.
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Questions:
1) Do I believe that God is merciful to His children and the giver of life, breath, safety, and restoration when they seek Him?
2) Am I consumed and crushed with desire and longing for God and His word? If not, what is preventing me from wholly pursuing God with abandon?
3) Am I teachable and sensitive to the reproof of the Holy Spirit in my life? Do I allow God to discipline me and mold me into the person He created me to be?
4) Do I ponder God's word? Do I speak it out? Do I sing praises to my God and celebrate who He is? Do I think about and meditate on God and His word throughout my day, dwelling in His presence continually?
5) Do I find joy in God's laws?
6) Do I turn to Jesus and His word when I need counsel? Or do I run to everyone else around me before I turn to the only One who can help?
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Prayer:
Father, thank you for your mercy and love toward your children. You are the giver of life and breath; you are the grantor of health and prosperity; you are our protector and restorer. Thank you for all you are to us and all you do for us. Lord, I come to you now and ask you to grant me a deep and unquenchable desire and longing for you and your word. I pray that seeking you would be first and foremost in my heart and mind. I pray that you would reveal yourself to me through your word and teach me your precepts, that I may follow them all my life. Lord, give me a teachable spirit and a self-awareness to receive your discipline when I become enthralled and misled by sin. Help me to come to you first when I need counsel and encouragement, instead of looking to others to fill me up. Lord, I ask you to fill my heart and my mouth with songs of praise to you. Make your presence known to me. I love you and long to worship you with my every breath. In Jesus name, Amen!