Psalm 119:33-40
“Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain. Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways.” vss. 36-37
There is a way to live that is pleasing to God and that gives life to the community of faith. The contour of that way is no mystery and has been made plain to believers for thousands of years. It was summarized in the Ten Commandments and clarified in the teachings of Jesus. We know what is expected of us in our relationships with God and with one another but, we are easily distracted! Instead of living as we ought, we choose to wander off in pursuit of other ideals, things like wealth, pleasure, and power. Instead of turning to scripture as our guide, we check out the lifestyles of the rich and famous and choose celebrities as our models for healthy living. And some people do “succeed!” They are blessed by beauty and skilled in the manipulation of money for selfish gain. They build massive houses and boast of homes in many lands. And we are jealous! We read their “success” stories and imagine how we will spend the money when we finally win the lottery. It’s in the context of that cultural noise that the psalmist speaks. And mostly his words are ignored. But some listen, turning their hearts and eyes away from the distractions and back to the ways of the Lord. And in place of headlines they receive the incredible peace of God…and they are satisfied!
Thought for the Day: What does it mean “to look at vanities”?
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