Set Free

Psalms 119:25-32
(25) Daleth. My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!
(26) When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes!
(27) Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
(28) My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!
(29) Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law!
(30) I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me.
(31) I cling to your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame!
(32) I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!

This stanza reminds me of my journey into freedom from sexual sin. My soul was clinging to the dust, but when I confessed the Lord answered and began to teach me His statutes. I had some head knowledge of what the Bible says, but I didn't really have it in my heart.

Verse 27 is where it gets really exciting for me. The prayer is for God to make me understand Scripture. I can't do it on my own. I need the illumination of the Holy Spirit. Yes, I need to take time to work at it. If that wasn't true then I'd be really upset about the time I have spent on Hebrew and Greek! At the same time we are to meditate on God's wondrous works. Let's do that for just a minute:

• He made the world in such a way that it would sustain us
• He made this complex system in such a way that it keeps going
• He holds creation together (Colossians 1:17)
• He continually showed mercy to His people despite their disobedience
• He sent Jesus to set us free
• He set me free in particular
• He blessed me with a great family, a great job, and a house in a place where I can freely worship Him
• He set me free from pornography, self-gratification, gluttony, and laziness
  
• He has blessed my family and me with good health

Obviously I could go on and on. These are just off the top of my head and they pertain to me and my situation. I encourage you to do this as a frequent exercise. It's so easy to focus on what we don't have that we lose sight of the immeasurable blessings we have received.

Verse 28 deals with true repentance. This goes along with 2 Corinthians 7:10. Have you experienced true godly sorrow for your sin? If not then you are on the road to death no matter how much you are doing for God.

The last 3 verses show us what sanctification looks like. Note the prominence of Scripture in this. It is all about Scripture, not our feelings. We need to form our lives based on Scripture. I like to say that I do that and I mean to, but I know that there are areas of my life that I hold on to. My prayer is that God would reveal those to me and transform me by His Spirit. It's not fun to pray for conviction, but I know that is what I must do. Will you join me?