I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

This is absolutely necessary just as my dinner must be chewed and savored one bite at a time, so must I savor each word, study each precept and digest every one of Your instructions. Then and only then, will it truly be mine.

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

What protection, to have Your Word in my heart as a bulwark against offending You. And to have Your Holy Spirit using that Word to chisel away at my propensity to sin. O, what joy divine, O, what blessedness.

In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.

Isn't this amazing? To come to that place in my relationship with You that Your Word, Your statutes, Your precepts, Your testimonies, Your law, all bring delight and pleasure to my life that exceeds the pleasures that would derive from being the richest man on earth. Truly incredible.

With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.

I must be vocal in my obedience, not just quietly going about my business, but outspoken. The speaking process cements them in my mind and communicates the Good News to others.

Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes!

Honored are You, Lord, because You teach me Your statutes. You are not a god of mystery but a God of revelation, not a god who plays games and vacillates, but One who is open and forthright with His people. Blessed are You, LORD, God Almighty,

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

Vigilance, continuous and never flagging vigilance using the Word as my armor to protect and lead me along the King's Highway with the Holy Spirit as my guide to lead and interpret each step of the Way. Hallelulah.

With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!

There is so much emphasis of wholeness of effort, of singleness of purpose in this Psalm.  It is indeed that I must seek you with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.  You must be the focus of my life.

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. (10) With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! (11) I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (12) Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! (13) With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. (14) In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. (15) I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. (16) I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

Lord, two boons that I request from You. The first is that You lead me into a complete and total love for Your Word; that it will become that very essence of my life in all circumstances and in every aspect. Let there be no gap where my love for Your Word is not evident to all. The second is that this love for Your Word will produce a life of obedience to Your Word that will be a testimony to all of the transforming power of Your grace and mercy. That it will introduce in others a hunger for the life of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit that is the sins qua non of the Kingdom life.

The Lords Day Psalm 119:1-8

Aleph

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!

You promised, Lord, to bless me if I keep Your testimonies and You promised to send the Comforter to guide me and remind me of all You have said to me. And that blessing is: a life of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Case closed! The promise has been made and I have accepted it and its implications as my way of life. Continue to guide me, Holy Spirit, in the Way I should go.

You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.

Teach me Your statutes for they define Your Goodness. It is through them that I get a glimmer of who You are, of the beauty of Your righteousness, and of the completeness of Your grace, Your mercy. Your Word lays out the limitless expanse of Your love for Your creation; imprint it indelibly upon my mind, soul and heart.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 16

Mid-day: 119:97-104

Evening: Psalm 91

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

Do not forsake me, O LORD! O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!

And You answer, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Keep reminding me, Lord, I am weak and wavering.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 15

Mid-day: 119:89-96

Evening: Psalm 90

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

For I am ready to fall, and my pain is ever before me. I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin. But my foes are vigorous, they are mighty, and many are those who hate me wrongfully. Those who render me evil for good accuse me because I follow after good.

Lord, I repent, I know that my sin grieves You, You the One who gave His all for my transformation. It is with a heavy heart that I acknowledge my willful behavior and seek Your forgiveness once again. Heal me and restore me to You, my Lord and Savior.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 14

Mid-day: 119:81-88

Evening: Psalm 89

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

But I am like a deaf man; I do not hear, like a mute man who does not open his mouth. I have become like a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth are no rebukes. But for you, O LORD, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer. For I said, "Only let them not rejoice over me, who boast against me when my foot slips!"

Lord, it is the waiting that is hard. I want immediate solution, to see those that ridicule my faith and who find joy in my failures to be brought to justice, I am not quick to wait for Your direction. I forget that my purpose is to glorify You and to be a testimony to Your love and mercy.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 38:13

Mid-day: 119:73-80

Evening: Psalm 88

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.

My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague, and my nearest kin stand far off. Those who seek my life lay their snares; those who seek my hurt speak of ruin and meditate treachery all day long.

Satan is always snapping at my heels, looking for a weak spot to attack my witness and ministry. He plots and schemes but You, O Lord, are with me, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort and protect me.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 12

Mid-day: 119:65-72

Evening: Psalm

Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at the Fellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.