Please bless me!

Psalm 119:121-144

¹²¹ Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies,
for I have done what is just and right.
¹²² Please guarantee a blessing for me.
Don’t let the arrogant oppress me!
¹²³ My eyes strain to see your rescue,
to see the truth of your promise fulfilled.
¹²⁴ I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love,
and teach me your decrees.
¹²⁵ Give discernment to me, your servant;
then I will understand your laws.
¹²⁶ Lord, it is time for you to act,
for these evil people have violated your instructions.
¹²⁷ Truly, I love your commands
more than gold, even the finest gold.
¹²⁸ Each of your commandments is right.
That is why I hate every false way.

¹²⁹ Your laws are wonderful.
No wonder I obey them!
¹³⁰ The teaching of your word gives light,
so even the simple can understand.
¹³¹ I pant with expectation,
longing for your commands.
¹³² Come and show me your mercy,
as you do for all who love your name.
¹³³ Guide my steps by your word,
so I will not be overcome by evil.
¹³⁴ Ransom me from the oppression of evil people;
then I can obey your commandments.
¹³⁵ Look upon me with love;
teach me your decrees.
¹³⁶ Rivers of tears gush from my eyes
because people disobey your instructions.

¹³⁷ O Lord, you are righteous,
and your regulations are fair.
¹³⁸ Your laws are perfect
and completely trustworthy.
¹³⁹ I am overwhelmed with indignation,
for my enemies have disregarded your words.
¹⁴⁰ Your promises have been thoroughly tested;
that is why I love them so much.
¹⁴¹ I am insignificant and despised,
but I don’t forget your commandments.
¹⁴² Your justice is eternal,
and your instructions are perfectly true.
¹⁴³ As pressure and stress bear down on me,
I find joy in your commands.
¹⁴⁴ Your laws are always right;
help me to understand them so I may live.

David the Psalmist continues with his razor-shape focus on the commands of God. Every verse in Psalm 119 mentions the beauty, wonder and purity of God’s commands – with the notable exception of verses 122, 123, and 132. David briefly departs from the pattern to request the Lord – “please guarantee a blessing for me.” He says that he is straining to see God’s salvation – God’s mercy and deliverance from trouble.

Are you in a place of straining to see right now? You have diligently set your focus on God’s goodness, His promises, His commands, and His faithfulness, but you’re not seeing it yet – the end is not on the horizon. The doubts are starting to creep in.

If that is you, it is time to pray for blessing!

David knew he could be honest with God – to cry out and request a guarantee in the face of his doubt. Jabez knew this about God also when he cried out in 2 Chronicles 4:10, “Oh, that you would bless me indeed.” Jeremiah knew it when he said life is terrible, but,

“The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:25-26 NLT )

Paul knew it when he said,

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Romans 5:3-5 NLT)

I once read a great quote, “if we only knew how close we were to a breakthrough when we stopped praying and believing.” Keep going. Keep believing. Keep trusting God – He is faithful – and keep believing. Ask God for blessing in the in-between time – a guarantee to keep you going. David did – so can we.

Lord, I feel I can’t go on. Please bless me – today and right now. Please give me the strength to persevere. Amen

Written by B van Noppen