Praying God's Word Every Step of the Way

The fourteenth letter in the Hebrew alphabet is the Hebrew letter nun. This prayer, 119:105 – 112, highlights the light God’s word gives for every step of the journey of life. In every situation, God’s word gives direction and outcome. The first line of this section is often memorized for that reason; “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.” This verse speaks to the present situation and to a future outcome; the next step to take, and the direction that step will take you.

The next line is a present tense confession of a vow with future tense implications; “I have swore and oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules.” A vow is a promise made in the present, with an outcome for the future. The word “confirmed” is the Hebrew word koom. It literally means to rise up and begin something. In this context it means that the vow has been made and the action of it has begun. This is a present tense confession, with a future outcome, that has already begun. The way to keep God’s word is to promise you will and then to rise up and begin doing it. When you leave the koom out, nothing happens. A promise with no action is a cloud with no rain.

The next few lines underscore that fact that once you make a vow and rise up and begin to do it, you will have a fight on your hands from the world, the flesh, and the devil; “I am severely afflicted; give me life, according to your word!” But God’s word strengthens for the fight. God’s word is a mighty weapon for the fight. God’s word will keep you moving forward in the fight, victoriously. God does not promise an easy life, He promises a victorious life! God is with you and He has already won!

The next line is another reminder of the connection between praise and learning, “Accept my freewill offering of praise, O LORD, and teach me your rules.” You will find this connection in several other places in Psalm 119. But in this context, the instructions for the victory spoken of in the previous verse are revealed; praise! This freewill offering is one that has been prepared from instructions in God’ word before the opposition rose up. It is exercised in battle from the training given in God’s word before the battle. Some will pray in times of affliction, “O Lord, I know that this trial is to teach me something. Help me to learn the lesson.” Wrong prayer. You learn before the battle, not in it. A test is not for learning. A test reveals what you have, or haven’t learned. Difficulty does not build character; it reveals it. God will teach you of Himself, from His word, so that you will be prepared with praise when the opposition comes in like a flood. You will overcome!

This prayer section ends as it began, “Your testimonies are my heritage forever; for they are the joy of my heart. I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.” The word “heritage” is the Hebrew word nachal, which means an inheritance you already possess. In the Old Testament it was used to describe land with growing potential that a person would already possess and begin planting. Once again, the theme of a present condition with a future outcome is seen. In Christ, God has given us eternal life by giving us His Holy Spirit as the guarantee. This is what Peter calls the living hope we have by the resurrection of Jesus Christ and through faith in Him, 1 Peter 1:3. We have both a present possession and a future promise.

Today, thank the Lord for the lamp of a new heart that He gave to you when you were born from above through faith in Jesus Christ, and for the light of His word that shines from your new heart for every step of the way into eternity with Him. Hallelujah!!! In the light of His word, every step is an act of worship in spirit and truth.