Daily Lectio: Wednesday, June 17

This morning, I’m reflecting on these verses from Psalm 119

97  Oh, how I love your law! *
all the day long it is in my mind.
98  Your commandment has made me wiser than my enemies, *
and it is always with me.
99  I have more understanding than all my teachers, *
for your decrees are my study.
100  I am wiser than the elders, *
because I observe your commandments.
101  I restrain my feet from every evil way, *
that I may keep your word.
102  I do not shrink from your judgments, *
because you yourself have taught me.
103  How sweet are your words to my taste! *
they are sweeter than honey to my mouth.
104  Through your commandments I gain understanding; *
therefore I hate every lying way.

105  Your word is a lantern to my feet *
and a light upon my path.

I love the relationship, the recognition, within the verses that all our accomplishments are due to our reliance upon God–are due to God’s presence within us.  Roughly, “I can do this” because “you are with me.”  And then the wonderful image of verse 105, “Your word is a lantern to my feet”….so that I won’t stumble.

This morning I thought about how much our culture holds up this cult of accomplishment, of success.  When I was a kid, our school always gave out academic awards and sports awards.  I was “good” at academics, but the only sport award I got was for good citizenship!

But, even then, there was this sense of accomplishment…of being recognized.  It was an ego trip.  So, this psalm comes along and teaches us the importance of humility and the recognition of our dependency on God.

And this image of verse 105, with the awareness that we will stumble if we don’t continue to cultivate this awareness of our dependence on God….

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