Psalm 119:60
I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments. Psalm 119:60
An older gentleman asked me the other day, “Can a person be addicted to God?”
I believe that a person could and should consider what it would be like to be intoxicated by the God of the Bible.
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
— Ephesians 5:18
Now let me be clear, I am not talking about hyper-religiosity or cult-like behaviors. But scripture is clear, we are to be “filled with the Spirit.” Sometimes when counseling a troubled couple, I will light-heartedly say, “Do you know what will solve your problems? Just walk in the Spirit and everything will be fixed.”
Unfortunately, that is a difficult proposal. It reminds me of an old Steve Martin joke. He had a routine where he would claim to have the key to becoming a millionaire. He would pose the question, “Do you want to know how to become a millionaire?” Then he would deliver the punchline, “Okay, first — you get a million dollars!”
“I hasten…” I am going to assume here and consider that the Psalmist may be suffering as he writes this verse. He is not waxing poetry. He is in a more desperate place as he considers hastening.
“…and do not delay…” And he does not delay. He is saying emphatically, nothing will get in my way. He is actively moving in the direction with haste and without delay. Towards what?
“…to keep your commandments.” The commandments of God! He is earnestly pursuing the commands of God so that he can get the needs facing him resolved. He is intent. He is intentional. He is deliberate. He is focused.
“I hasten, I do not delay, I keep…” He is very intentional about what he is saying in the verse, and it is important that the reader see this. Again, the Psalmist is not lounging on a sofa, being philosophical. That would be lazy and meaningless to us today.
We suffer, we are fatigued, we are hurting, we are confused, we need truth to move us towards where we need to go. And the Psalmist is reminding himself of God’s commands. He is talking back to God saying, “I am doing everything I can to get to where you say I should be.” There is an implied sense of exasperation like an unspoken, “Do something here!”
We have all been there and it is okay. The Psalmist is illustrating in this verse God’s willingness to hear our cry in these moments. God is a God of seeing and hearing. God is all-loving and all-knowing. It is okay for you and me to plead with God, “Do something!”
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” — James 4:6 ESV
How can we come alongside you in your time of need? Burke Care is here to listen and talk with you. Consider booking a session with us today.
Father, I hasten to come to You. I am not going to delay again. I am running after you. I am clinging to You as my only hope, Jesus. You say Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light. I am taking You at Your word. Amen!
Application Questions:
When I am desperate, what do I do next? Do I run to God, or do I run to self or others?
Do I really know what God commands or am I trying to make Him into who I think He should be?
What does it look like for me to take off pride and put on humility?
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