Verse of the Day 2/4

Verse of the Day 2/4

Psalm 119:25-26   I am at the point of death.

    Let your teachings
    breathe new life into me.
26 When I told you my troubles,
you answered my prayers.
    Now teach me your laws.     Contemporary English Version (CEV)

We may not have ever experienced being "at the point of death" but most of us can think of a time when we were at rock bottom, spiritually, emotionally and perhaps physically.  David is at that point as he writes this Psalm.  Where does he go for help?  He turns to God's word and the Lord Himself.  He asks God to "breathe" new life into me.  He prays this to the God who breathed, who spoke the universe into existence, believing and trusting that He has the power to turn things around in his life.

The word breathe used here in the CEV  is also translated as revive, preserve and quicken.  The one that catches my attention is quicken.  It is a word that we don't often use in today's society and culture.  But it brings to mind other subtle thoughts - to awaken, open our eyes, shake us out of our sleep or out of the doldrums to see the light, to see a new day.

God's Word has the power to do that in our minds and hearts if we are in it and allow it to do the work in us.  As I read these verses and considered that word quicken I was reminded of the old hymn "And Can it Be" and the line "Thine eye diffused a quickening ray".  In the darkness the light of His Word shines through.

VERSE 1
And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior's blood
Died He for me, who caused His pain
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

VERSE 2
He left His Father's throne above
So free, so infinite His grace
Emptied Himself of all but love
And bled for Adam's helpless race
'Tis mercy all, immense and free
For O my God, it found out me!
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shoudlst die for me?

VERSE 3
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature's night
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light
My chains fell off, my heart was free
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou, my God shouldst die for me?

VERSE 4
No condemnation now I dread
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine
Alive in Him, my living Head
And clothed in righteousness divine
Bold I approach the eternal throne
And claim the crown, through Christ my own
Amazing love! How can it be
That Thou my God, shouldst die for me?

Read the rest of the psalm below, and my you feel as David did, to be revived and get up and run in the way that He commands.

Blessings,

Mike

Psalm 119:25-32 King James Version (KJV)

25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.

26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.

27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.

30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.

31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O Lord, put me not to shame.

32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

Follow the verse of the day at mikesvotd.blogspot.com