Prayers with 'For I' Declarations in Psalm 119: For I have chosen Your precepts

 Let Your hand become my help, For I have chosen Your precepts. Psalm 119:173

The psalmist's prayer and desire are right: let Your hand become my help, and has the right argument to expect that help: for I have chosen Your precepts. He has chosen the preceptsof God, he wants to obey them, and he knows that he cannot do it on his own, he needs God's help.

If he had chosen something else, he could not expect help from God.

If I have chosen holiness, I can confidently ask God for help to be holy, because it is His will: "For this is the will of God, your sanctification." (1 Thessalonians 4:3), it is His commandment: "Be holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16).

If I have chosen love, I can be sure that the hand of God will help me to live in the true love; I will love God with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind and with all my strength, and I will love His children as myself, I will do good to my enemies, I will bless them and pray for them.

The rule is very simple: make the right choice and you will get the right help to implement what you have chosen.

Topical meditation 2024

January 14

 

Prayers with 'For I' Declarations in Psalm 119: For I do not forget Your law

"Consider my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget Your law." - Psalm 119:153

"I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments." - Psalm 119:176

The psalmist is afflicted, and he shares his affliction not with anyone else but with God. He needs deliverance and knows whom to turn to. He confesses that he has gone astray like a lost sheep and asks the Lord to search for him, to find him. And for these prayers, he has the same argument: "For I do not forget Your law, Your commandments."

He may have forgotten many things in his affliction, but not God's law. He knows that the Lord will not forget his affliction because he has not forgotten the law of the Lord. Although he had gone astray like a lost sheep, his heart had not forgotten God's commandments. He couldn't find his way back on his own, but he knew God could find him.

Every person who loves the Word of God, has been delighted by His Word, has been born again and renewed by the Word of God, no matter how weak their memory is, will not forget the Word of God written in their hearts. One does not forget what one loves most.

Neither affliction nor one's own sins can erase the Word written in the heart, and every child of God, no matter how bad their condition, can say, like the psalmist: "For I do not forget Your law, Your commandments."

Topical meditation 2024

January 13

 

Prayers with 'For I' Declarations in Psalm 119: For I have sought Your precepts

 "I am Yours, save me; for I have sought Your precepts." - Psalm 119:94

The psalmist prays, "Save me," and has a compelling argument for expecting salvation: "I am Yours." Those who belong to God can expect salvation from Him. The one who belongs to the Lord understands the need for salvation, recognizing that only God can save him, which is why he calls upon Him with confidence, knowing that the Lord will surely save the one who belongs to Him. We can pray: "Save me, for I am Yours. You created me, redeemed me, chose me, and accepted me into Your family."

The evidence that the psalmist belongs to Him is this: "For I have sought Your precepts." A hypocrite will not seek the precepts of God. Although a hypocrite may know God's precepts, they will not seek them. The seeker of the precepts longs for the Word of God, strives to fulfill God’s commandments, meditates on the commandments of God, finds joy in them, and keeps them in their heart.

If one seeks the precepts of God, then God has initiated a work in them, and God always completes His work.

Topical meditation 2024

January 12

Prayers with 'For I' Declarations in Psalm 119: For I believe Your commandments

"Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe Your commandments." - Psalm 119:66

The psalmist desires to acquire good judgment and knowledge, and in expressing this request to God, he presents the right argument: "For I believe in Your commandments." Without faith, he would not seek knowledge, and without faith, he could not expect to receive it. Because he believes in the Word of God, he wants to understand it in order to practice it. He demonstrates the right attitude towards the true Word: he believes in that Word, therefore, he asks for the right thing—to understand that Word in which he believes.

If you have faith, you can ask for good judgment and knowledge.

Topical meditation 2024

January 11 

 

Prayers with 'For I' Declarations in Psalm 119: For I trust in Your Word

 "Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD— Your salvation according to Your word. So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I have hoped in Your ordinances." (Psalm 119:41-43)

In verse 22, the psalmist had asked God to remove his reproach because he had kept His testimonies. Now, he pleads for mercy to answer the one who reproaches him, and again, he presents a convincing argument: "I trust in Your Word." He places trust in God's Word rather than relying on his own understanding or wisdom. He acknowledges that he cannot give the right answer without the Word that contains the answers to everything. Having hope in God's ordinances enables him to pray that His Word will not depart from his mouth. If he had placed his trust in something or someone else, he would not have been able to make such a prayer. His trust in God's Word in his heart allows him to request that the Word also be in his mouth.

He understands that God will not withhold His Word from those who trust in it. Any person who places trust in God's Word can pray with assurance with these arguments, just like the psalmist did.

Topical meditation 2024

January 10

Prayers with 'For I' Declarations in Psalm 119: for I delight in Your commandments

 

"Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it." (Psalm 119:35)

This prayer can be offered by every person sincerely desiring to walk in the path of God's commandments but finds it challenging. They delight in this path but realize they cannot navigate it alone; hence, they turn to Him who can make them walk in that path.

"For I delight in it." This statement serves as a compelling reason for this prayer. We can request that our feet be directed toward God's Word because our hearts are already aligned with it. Where did the delight in God's Word originate within the psalmist's heart? From heaven! No one can find delight in God's Word unless the Lord has implanted it within their heart. Therefore, if the Lord has instilled delight for His Word within our hearts, He will also provide the strength and guidance to walk in the path of His Word.

Lord, like the psalmist, I come with this reasoning as I offer this prayer. You have instilled within my heart a longing, delight, and love for Your Word. And because You never leave Your work unfinished, I trust that You will also assist me in walking in the path of Your commandments.

Topical meditation 2024

January 9

Prayers with 'For I' Declarations in Psalm 119: For I have kept Your testimonies

This week, I want to meditate on the verses from my favorite psalm in which the psalmist prays, indicating the reasoning behind his requests to God by stating what he does, what he has done, repeatedly using the words "for I…"

Prayers with 'For I' Declarations in Psalm 119
Day 1

"Remove from me reproach and contempt, for I have kept Your testimonies." - Psalm 119:22

God's Word emphasizes that a good name is to be chosen rather than great riches (Proverbs 22:1) and is better than fine perfume (Ecclesiastes 7:1). Therefore, it is reasonablel that the psalmist desires God to remove the reproach from him. The slandered psalmist doesn't attempt to dispel it himself or justify himself, but instead entrusts this concern to God. Moreover, he presents a compelling argument for making this request to God: "for I have kept Your testimonies."

In the following verse, he mentions that princes speak against him, yet he chooses to meditate on the statutes of the Lord. He doesn't contemplate revenge but meditates on the statutes of the Lord. He asks God to keep his good name because he has faithfully kept God's testimonies. This serves as a perfect argument for his prayer.

Topical meditation 2024

January 8

True joy in the upright heart

"Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!" (Psalm 32:11)

Joy is not only a privilege of God's children, but also a duty. The psalm's opening addresses those who have received forgiveness of sins. They cannot be sad because they have received the most wonderful gift: an upright heart. An upright heart is a joyful heart. Others lack genuine joy. The wicked, those who do not know God, have the counterfeits offered by the devil, but not the true joy.

True Joy — the Heavenly Original — is reserved exclusively for those with upright hearts.

From my diary,

January 7,  2024 

The Sanctified Sing: Reverence for His Holy Name

 "Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name." - Psalm 30:4

At the beginning of the psalm, David praises the Lord by mentioning His works: "You have lifted me up, You have kept me alive, You healed me, You have not let my foes rejoice over me..."

These blessings are received by many, yet not everyone shows gratitude to the Lord and accepts them as mercies for which they should be thankful. Many take them for granted, assuming they are entitled to these blessings. However, those who acknowledge they don't deserve these blessings have a humble and grateful heart.

David doesn't praise the Lord alone; he invites the saints to join in singing. The sanctified marvel at God's holiness and glorify it. Others cannot sing of holiness. Hence, David invites the saints to sing a song of praise at the remembrance of His holy name.

From my diary,

January 6,  2024 

With God all things are possible

"But Jesus looked at them and said to them, 'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'” (Matthew 19:26)

What a joy it is that He, for whom all things are possible, is my Father! What a miracle it is that He made possible what was impossible for me: my salvation. What a comfort it is that He makes possible all that is necessary for life and godliness, all that is necessary for sanctification. His love, wisdom, and power make all things possible. Since everything is possible for Him, it has become possible for me to believe, to wait patiently, to pray without ceasing, to be content, and to rejoice.

From my diary,

January 5,  2024 

 

Blessed to be a blessing

"I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing." - Genesis 12:2

Those blessed by God become a blessing to others. God gives us gifts, both natural and spiritual, to serve Him and His children.  The Lord teaches us His Word not only for ourselves but so  that we may use it to uplift and encourage others too.  He provides material goods to help others. He grants us a spirit of prayer to pray  not only for ouselves but for others too.

When someone is a blessing to me, their words spiritually edify me, their friendship positively influences my spiritual life, and their life serves as an example for me.

How can I be a blessing to God's children?

1.Setting an example: Living a sanctified life of faith and love. A holy life brings glory to God and blessings to His children. If I have faith and I show it by my actions,  I strengthen the faith of those with weak faith. If I have true joy, I am thankful  in every situation, I teach those in despair to be be joyful.

2. Praying for them.

3. Using my talents and knowledge for their  spiritual edification..

4. Sharing material goods. A heartfelt gift can be a blessing.

I pray that the Lord will enable me to be a blessing to His children, encouraging them, praying for them  and serving them.

From my diary,

January 4,  2024 

 

Faithful Execution: Noah's Obedience to God's Details

 

And Noah did according to all that the LORD commanded him." - Genesis 7:5

Noah completely obeyed God's commands, not partially or halfway, but entirely. The Lord provided detailed instructions on everything: the materials for constructing the ark, its dimensions, and the specific number of animals to be sheltered within it. Noah followed every command without deviation. He did not add or change anything, nor did he reason, "A slight change in dimensions won't matter. Perhaps two floors instead of three would suffice." Nor did he suggest, "One window is not enough; I'll install two," or think, "Taking every kind of animal might not be necessary." Noah strictly adhered to every detail exactly as commanded by God.

There is a lesson here for me: I must obey all of God's commandments, not most, but all, and carefully consider every detail. Details matter. I must never say, "Well, it's fine; it can be done that way too."

I really want to be rightly told about me: "Hripsime did everything the Lord commanded her."

From my diary,

January 3,  2024 

The Joy of Walking with Jesus: Safety in His Guidance

 "And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him." - Genesis 5:24

What joy it is to walk with God! Walking with Him is both safe and enjoyable. When you walk with someone who knows the path and its dangers well, guiding you in the right way, you feel secure. You know you won't stumble into a trap or lose your way.

Walking with someone who is close, caring, loving, conversational, and entertaining makes the journey pleasant.

Walking with Jesus is like that. He takes care of us, preventing us from stumbling, losing our way, or getting hurt. He talks with us, nourishing us with the healthy food of His Word and the water of Life.

No matter how long the journey is, when you know you're heading to a wonderful home for rest, the road doesn't seem tiring. Jesus will lead those who walk with Him to His beautiful home, a place of extraordinary beauty and wonder that words cannot describe.

From my diary,

January 2,  2024 

Prayer as the First Resort: Seeking God's Intervention

"Attend to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I pray." - Psalm 5:2

David waits for the answer to his prayer, expecting the Lord to hear his cry. He has a valid reason to anticipate an answer to his prayer: "for to You I pray."

To You I pray. I do not seek help from anyone else, nor do I rely on myself. Instead, I turn to You, calling upon You and crying out to You, recognizing that no one else can help me, placing my hope solely in You.

I am praying for a more profound prayer experience in 2024, aiming to nurture a prayerful spirit and cultivate a disciplined prayer habit. So that in any difficulty, trouble, or temptation, my initial response is prayer.

I want to run immediately to the throne of grace under any circumstances.

From my diary,

January 1,  2024