As we come to the end of Psalm 119 let us reflect again on the main theme of this, the longest of all the psalms. Moses told the Israelites to continually saturate themselves in God’s word (Deut. 6:6-9) and Psalm 119 reiterates this message. The heart is a delicate instrument and easily loses its tuning. Psalm 119 ends with the confession: “I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.” The psalmist had internalized God’s word sufficiently to know that he was out of tune with God. He had also internalized God’s word sufficiently to know that there is only one response to this: he calls out to God, and he turns again to the scriptures to reorient his heart. The heart is very easily influenced. But we always have a choice about what we will be influenced by. Your biggest problem at any given time is the extent to which you have been badly influenced and drawn away from God. This means then, that your biggest problem – at any given time – is something that you allowed to take place. The first step to restoration is to recognise this and seek God’s help. But then you need to start making better choices. Don’t be quick to assume that you are impermeable to this or that bad influence. No, the ‘heart’ is a tender thing and easily impacted, though we don’t often feel it happening at the time. What we take in matters. What we read, watch and listen to shapes our lives for better or for worse. Feed on God’s word continually and stay tuned.
Reflect on what is shaping your life.
Read Psalm 119:169-176
