“Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.”
Psalm 119:105 NIV

We get on the path that God designs for us, by prayer, studying His Word, and worship. The more time we spend with God, the more our path will be lit.

“I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
I have suffered much;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.”
119:106-108 NIV

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
Romans 10:9-10 NIV

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV

“This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another. ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Hebrews 8:10-11 NIV

We believe in Jesus, His death, and His resurrection. This makes us Christian. On the cross, there was an exchange that happened. Jesus took on the penalty of sin for the world and he gave us His righteousness. This is not free of sin; but, this is in right standing with God. Then we partner with God. So, that He begins to write his laws in our mind and on our heart. He is a God that sees our strengths and weaknesses; and He accepts us just as we are. He sees the way we have messed up and failed and He forgives us.

“Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.”
Psalm 119:109 NIV

“The Lord took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
Genesis 2:15 NIV

The more that I submit to God, the more I am being directed. This path I am on, includes things that are good for me. It also includes things that are good for community. Life teaches us to be self-serving. God teaches us to show up and serve others. Can you imagine what life would look like if we all serve each other? If we all took responsibility for making our community better?

“The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.”
119:110 NIV

“They almost wiped me from the earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.”
119:87 NIV

“The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
but I will ponder your precepts.”
119:95 NIV

The Psalmist write about harm so often, because it is a part of life. However, the message is clear, we resist it and use it as an opportunity to draw closer to God. This isn’t what the world teaches, but it is what God desires. This is goals for me! I am not there yet. The part I need to do better, is to resist the urge to attack back and instead draw closer to God.

“Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.”
119:111 NIV

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Matthew 5:44 NIV

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary:
‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.'”
Romans 12:18-20 NIV

God’s word.

My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.”
Psalm 119:112 NIV