Keep God's Word Close from Your Youth
Daily Scripture
Psalm 119:4-11
4 God, you have ordered that your decrees
should be kept most carefully.
5 How I wish my ways were strong
when it comes to keeping your statutes!
6 Then I wouldn’t be ashamed
when I examine all your commandments.
7 I will give thanks to you with a heart that does right
as I learn your righteous rules.
8 I will keep your statutes.
Please don’t leave me all alone!
9 How can young people keep their paths pure?
By guarding them according to what you’ve said.
10 I have sought you with all my heart.
Don’t let me stray from any of your commandments!
11 I keep your word close, in my heart,
so that I won’t sin against you.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
In Psalm 119, a younger Hebrew poet (verses 9-10) showed both joy and realism about a life lived God’s way. (Sadly, we often see Psalm 119 as just a novelty—”the longest Bible chapter.” It does have 176 verses, but it’s much more.) “The rules in the Old Testament were not merely random taboos or prohibitions designed to keep you from enjoying your life. They were given to help you live a truly human life…. the psalm teaches adhering to God’s ways is the way of blessing. Things go well in your life.” *
- This younger psalmist was serious about living a pure life. “I have sought you with all my heart” (verse 10). But that takes inner strength that may falter at times (verse 5), and it can be all too easy to stray (verse 10). When have you (whatever your age) struggled with issues like those? On the other hand, when has seeking God and God’s ways with all your heart made a positive difference in your life, instead of robbing you of joy or love?
- A bit later, the psalmist expressed determination to choose to live God’s way even if “influencers” made fun of it (cf. Psalm 119:21-24). “Sometimes you have to live in light of the way you believe things will work out in the long run. These important people’s… behavior will reinforce the psalmist’s conviction that it is God’s declarations that are the best counselors.” ** Have you ever faced ridicule or hostility for choosing God’s ways? What helped you to live beyond it?
Prayer
Lord God, an old hymn says, “Beyond the sacred page, I seek you, Lord.” As I read my Bible, it’s you I seek in its pages. Shine into my heart through my Bible, so that your kingdom’s love, joy and peace shine out of me. Amen.
GPS Insights
Brandon Gregory
Brandon Gregory, who serves as a volunteer for the worship and missions teams at Church of the Resurrection, wrote today's Insights. He helps lead worship at Leawood's modern worship services, as well as at the West and Downtown services, and is involved with the Malawi missions team at home.
I’ve recently been reading a book that isn’t on today’s best-seller lists: Emily Post’s Etiquette. Originally written in 1922, it’s been updated periodically with new etiquette for new generations. The author begins by saying that etiquette is based on three principles: consideration, respect, and honesty. Etiquette isn’t something you do to set yourself apart from the uncultured masses; instead, etiquette is something you do for others: to show respect and consideration, and to communicate honestly. Practicing etiquette doesn’t make others feel self-conscious; it makes others feel welcome and respected.
So, etiquette can teach us something about our pursuit of holiness. Holiness is for God, yes, but we often think of holiness as something that just benefits each of us individually. We practice holiness for God, but if we’re not careful, the pursuit of holiness can also be self-serving—when we build ourselves up and hold our holiness over others who are less holy, or those who aren’t as put-together as we are. When that happens, we can misuse our perceived holiness to make others feel unworthy of God’s or our approval. This, of course, makes us less holy, but we can lose sight of that in our pride.
What if we thought of holiness as something we do for others as well as for God? What if we practiced holiness in such a way that other people felt safer, not more self-conscious around us? What if our personal holiness communicated consideration, respect, and honesty to draw others to our love rather than push them away with seemingly impossible standards? Principles of holiness will always be important, but people will see the value of holiness in how and why we practice it.
In Psalm 119:10, the psalmist makes an important distinction: “I have sought you with all my heart. Don’t let me stray from any of your commandments!” In other words, a heartfelt desire for God does not guarantee holiness. We begin with the feeling, but we learn principles and precepts to turn that feeling into a reality. The “rules” of holiness are how we turn love and passion in our hearts into love and passion in the world around us. In the same way, the rules by themselves, without a basis of love and devotion, are incomplete and prone to misuse.
One foundational point Emily Post’s Etiquette drives home is that etiquette is not something for a select few; it’s something that can be practiced by anyone, of any social standing or background, and should be practiced by everyone because it makes us all better. Passion and devotion are two sides to the same coin, and we find ourselves drawn to them differently as we progress through life. We may have passion and lack devotion, or vice versa. Being willing to listen to others who excel in an area where we struggle, who may be in very different stages of life than we are, can help us. Holiness is for everyone, and it makes us all better. Sometimes it takes everyone to show us how we can improve.
© 2025 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* John Goldingay, Psalms for Everyone, Part 2: Psalms 73–150. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2014, p. 145.
** Ibid.
