I tend to be both goal orientated and positive thinking. Which is an interesting combination together. As I set a goal for myself, I think on how manageable achieving that goal will be. Does that strike you as realistic? Or wise? What about setting a goal for yourself, being very aware of the difficulties and hurdles you will face?
Our friend in Psalm 119 is preparing for facing much adversity in life. He knows he has enemies out to get him. he knows his health is fragile. But he isn’t going to back down from being obedient to God. So, what’s the path forward?
Verse 105 answers that immediately,
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105
The principle here is Lean Heavy on God’s Word. As bad as things may get, as fierce as the enemies may be, as weak as your body might feel, depend on God’s Word. Let it be a light to you. Let it give you wisdom for the steps you must take each day.
A second principle is Take Personal Responsibility. It would be easy for our friend to blame his enemies – I can’t obey God because they’re being too mean to me. While recognizing the adversaries, the Psalmist focuses on what he needs to do. So we see my feet, my path, my mouth, my life, my heart. He resolves to keep and not forget God’s Word.
The last principle is to Remember God’s Goodness. The previous two sections of Psalm 119 focused much on this, so our friend carries those truths over into these darker times. Because God is good, the Psalmist trusts God to revive him, to teach him, and to give him joy.
Life will have it’s challenges. But you still need to obey God’s Word. The crucial key is to not lean on your own will power for that obedience, because that will eventually run out. Instead, depend on God’s Word and God’s presence and God’s grace to be obedient. He will never run out!