It is the middle of summer. I don’t know about you but the heat, humidity, and now daily downpours are starting to take a toll on me. I don’t really want to get up with the alarm. I sure don’t want to get outside and exercise. And, I really would rather read a chapter in a beach novel that keep up with the daily Bible readings I have committed myself to this year. So it has been nice to find myself in the Psalms during my “dog-days” season. At least in the Psalms I can keep up with the reading – or rather, I was keeping up until Psalm 119.
Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the Bible. In fact, it has more verses – 176 – than 13 books in the Old Testament and 16 books in the New Testament. Each of the psalm’s 22 stanzas begins with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and within each stanza, every line begins with that same letter. Tradition says that King Solomon taught his sons the Hebrew alphabet using this acrostic psalm as his teaching resource. A more modern look at Psalm 119 by Bible commentators has suggested that the psalm itself would make as much sense read backward as forward. Whether or not that is true, what is true is that Psalm 119 is long and a little daunting for those of us trying to keep us with our reading!
But, I am faithful – if not a little behind – so I read on. And, there it was! Nestled in the 105th verse, waiting for me to arrive, was the line that I needed to read and remember. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Regardless of the temperature outside and my internal summertime clock, God has graciously given me just what I need to continue my journey in faith. With God’s word offering guidance, lending support, and encouraging reflective thinking, I can find my way through my malaise and the real dangers in life on the path God has lighted for me – and you!
With renewed commitment and enthusiasm, I am catching up on my reading. I hope you will, too! _ Rev. Debby Fox, Pastor of Christian Education and Discipleship
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