Psalm 119:16
I will delight in your statutes and I will not forget your word. Psalm 119:16
I am amazed that God has changed my heart so much that I can confidently say, “I will delight in your statutes and I will not forget your word.” I know that I do not always delight and often forget, but my heart has been changed. I have a very real desire to “delight” and “not forget.”
This is not something I could say earlier in my life. Sorrowfully, much of my earlier life had been focused on pursuing my own “delights” through manufactured events and making my own “rules” to control outcomes. By the way, this is a recipe for disaster. It also caused the ones closest to me much grief.
God has matured me and changed me, sanctified me and conformed me more into the image of Jesus. Not completely but much more than I once was.
I have learned that instead of investing my energy, time, and focus on ensuring an outcome is achieved, I have learned (through much trial and error, bumps and bruises) to pursue God “delighting in His statutes” and following “His Word.” I have learned to look in the direct of where God is moving and pursue Him. And the “how” of following Him is by “delighting in His statutes” and “not forgetting His Word.”
“For the simplicity that lies this side of complexity, I would not give a fig, but for the simplicity that lies on the other side of complexity, I would give my life.” Oliver Wendell Holmes
I believe God is faithful to give us new understanding. If you find the idea of “delighting in God” and “not forgetting His Word” new, please know that every believer has realistically been where you are. We have all struggled with the initial steps of faith required to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior. Much like the Isreaelites in Exodus. They grumbled and were discouraged at every step but “God is faithful.” And He promises us a way out. He delivered them from the slavery in Egypt and from the wilderness. He lead them with a cloud by day and fire by night to the promise land.
God has been faithful to reveal Himself in Scripture. He is faithful to do what He has promised to do. Your part is to follow His lead as He goes before you. You still have to do what you are called to do. But then you do it remember the Psalmist words…
I will delight in your statutes and I will not forget your word — Psalm 119:16
