KEEPING A PROMISE

I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!  Psalm 119:8

Have you ever signed up for something and known that when you gave your word, you were in over your head.

David takes a leap to make this commitment.  I can imagine him drawing in his breath, wrestling with whether or not he can make this promise.  “I will keep your statutes.” Who can?  Only God.  Yet he loves God enough to give his word and do his best.  However, the best of intentions won’t guarantee success.  He follows up with, “Do not utterly forsake me.” He’s in over his head and without God’s help, he will surely fall flat on his face.

Actually, David models how any child of God is to live his life.  Anything God requires of us is impossible without the help of the Spirit.  Precepts are beyond our ability to understand.  Commandments are for the holy, not the human.  Callings are God-sized, not man-sized.  The greatest commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind…” is even impossible.  We try to live it out but the glitter of Babylon woos us with its bright lights and false promises.  Our first Love is betrayed all the time.  We say we love Him more than anything but our actions and passions disprove it.

Today is a new day.  Again, I re-affirm, as I take a deep breath.  “I will keep your statutes today, Lord.  Oh, but stay close, help me, lest I stumble.”