Reset Your Mind

David was very much like Christ in the way he saw people. He tended not to look at them through the lens of how they treated him. We see it in the verses from Ps. 119 we are looking at today. And actually, David was called "a man after God's own heart." So he really does picture Christ.

Here we have a look into the window of his heart. We see how he looked at others and his heart toward God and his word. He trusted God's word, and he clung to Him. In what way? We will see.

Psa 119:157 Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.	It's hard to control my thoughts and imaginations when I have opponents who, by definition, aren't on my side, and in fact, who try to make my life miserable. David had those kinds of  persecutors and enemies. Yet he didn't decline from God's testimonies. I love that. I have testimonies I can look to when I have such enemies. My one-time enemy was a new boss who didn't like me and wanted to see me go. Christ's testimony below was what got me through that: For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: (1 Pet. 2:21-23)
(158)  I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.	But a perspective I have not mastered is David's perspective here. I don't grieve for those who disregard God, not keeping his word. David was also an example of Christ in this. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. (Matt 9:36) Folks don't keep His word because they don't know Him, and the way they behave is a reminder that they need to know Him.
(159)  Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.	Now David asks God to consider him and how he loves His precepts. And therefore he feels justified in asking God to enliven him with His lovingkindness. My way of saying that is "God, I love you, please show me a lovingkindness today." And I do pray that. And God does answer. Try it. His lovingkindnesses are his little acts of love that he shows to us because he loves us. When I pray for a lovingkindness, I don't know what it will be, but I know it will be something, and he delights in showing lovingkindness to those who expect it.
(160)  Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.	This verse is a great acknowledgement prayer. "Just so you know, God, I recognize every word in the Bible is true, and everything you've said happened, happens and will happen." For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (Matt 5:18) If it wasn't for that, we'd have no hope. And whoever doesn't believe it has no hope.

The Origin of Spiritual Passion

It’s Monday, and who is going to be with me all week? God is. He is loving, merciful and faithful. Our Monday Ps. 119 focus is God, and our example to be closer to God is David.  He just pretty much lived in God’s presence when he wrote his Psalms. I can relate to him, because I also easily feel closer to God when I write. It helps me direct my thoughts. David makes a great coach and cheerleader in that. I may never achieve his zeal, but I can follow his heart to God.

Psa 119:137  Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.	No prayer request here. Just praise.  It’s a great way to start a rainy Monday morning. Lord, I agree that you are correct, right and just, and the way you decide to handle things is completely right and perfect. I align myself with you.
(138)  Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.	David’s prayer continues. Let’s join him. Lord, you decide and determine how matters are handled and how they turn out, and the way you do that is correct and true to who you are. I’m with you.
(139)  My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.	Turning this verse around, as David realized the spiritual state of his enemies, that they had forgotten and so disregarded God’s word, it made him all the more zealous or fervent for the Lord. His intensity for the Lord ate him up. Where does passion for the Lord like that come from?
(140)  Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.	I think David’s spiritual passion came from two places: the word, which he thought was very pure and which he loved—and also from the fact that he had the Spirit of God. Remember 1 Sam 16:13:  Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. I also have the word of God and the Spirit of God. That’s a start to having a heart like David’s.