oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! [psalm 119:5]
how do you obey?
by determination? by self discipline? by steadfastness?
or in submission, do we cry out to God, knowing that the only way that we could ever be steadfast in obedience is to rest only in him?
when we pray this way “oh–…!” we lament our lack, we acknowledge our “not yet-ness” and we are filled with longing for the day when we will be with Christ and be made perfect in him. the psalmist is not boasting in his strength, in his ability to keep the statutes, he is praying, imploring, petitioning out of his weakness, sin and inability.
take some time to evaluate–when was the last time you sought the LORD in this way? when was the last time you prayed in your inability and asked for God’s perfect steadfastness?
take some time today, praying like the psalmist–crying out to God for steadfastness to keep his statutes–not resting in your own power, but depending on the foundation, on the rock of his steadfastness to do it, because Jesus has done it!–that is what we rest in!
“do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them for truly, i say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.” [matt: 5:17]
so when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. [heb. 6:17-18]
as for you o LORD, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and faithfulness will ever preserve me! [psalm 40:11]
~ conor eastman