Psalm 119:129-132…“The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. With open mouth I pant, because I long for your commandments.” vss. 130-131
Psalm 119 is the longest of the psalms and is devoted to lifting up the law as God’s most loving gift to Israel. Today’s chosen verses call to mind an image of little birds opening up their mouths to receive food brought by a parent. They crowd the nest, their little beaks open as far as they can go, instinctively driven by their hunger and need. Sometimes those who teach the youngest children in our Sunday Schools see that hungry look in the eyes of the little ones in their charge. The kids can’t get enough of the bible stories and they love to hear about Jesus.
Some of us might wonder why the psalmist loved the commandments so much, principally because we associate them with the law. Few people seem to have much of a fondness or appetite for rules and regulations. We would rather hear about grace and freedom. While the story implies that Solomon became something of an ideal ruler for Israel, ultimately that isn’t what happened, and by the end of his reign civil war had erupted, largely because of his insatiable desire for wealth and power. And that really shouldn’t surprise us!
The psalmist would have been surprised by that attitude. He had nothing but positive and loving feelings for the commandments and cherished them as a guide for how to live. And every believer among us must certainly agree! How could we possibly know how to walk in the Way of Jesus if we’ve never been guided by loving parents or teachers? And when we’ve been taught first as little ones, sitting at rapt attention with mouths open wide, the lessons will remain forever.
Thought for the Day: Who first taught me the Way of Jesus?
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