Psalm 119 pt III: Incline my heart unto your testimonies

From Psalms

Psalm 119: 33-48

(He)
³³Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes;
      and I shall keep it unto the end.
³⁴Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law;
      yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
³⁵Make me to go in the path of thy commandments;
      for therein do I delight.
³⁶Incline my heart unto thy testimonies,
      and not to covetousness.
³⁷Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity;
      and quicken thou me in thy way.
³⁸Stablish thy word unto thy servant,
      who is devoted to thy fear.
³⁹Turn away my reproach which I fear:
      for thy judgments are good.
⁴⁰Behold, I have longed after thy precepts:
      quicken me in thy righteousness.


(Waw)
⁴¹Let thy mercies come also unto me,
      O Lord, even thy salvation, according to thy word.
⁴²So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me:
      for I trust in thy word.
⁴³And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth;
      for I have hoped in thy judgments.
⁴⁴So shall I keep thy law continually
      for ever and ever.
⁴⁵And I will walk at liberty:
      for I seek thy precepts.
⁴⁶I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings,
      and will not be ashamed.
⁴⁷And I will delight myself in thy commandments,
      which I have loved.
⁴⁸My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments,
      which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

 Oh Lord teach me in you ways (v 33), Give me understanding (v 34), Guide me in your path (v 35), Incline my heart unto my your testimonies and not to covetousness (v 36).  This a great part of psalm 119 because these things are all I ask for.  These are everything I need to overcome my addictions, which still lurk in my life.  These are no small requests though...these things are about making a change in the way I think, feel and act.

Nevertheless, I trust that God can teach me and give me understanding to handle and manage those temptations.  I've seen Him do it in the past.  I know that if I am committed to learning his word, then He will teach me in the ways of his statutes so that I can keep them to the end.  I have faith that He can quicken me and incline my heart to his testimonies rather than allowing me to turn to covetousness or beholding vanity.

I believe that I have seen the first part of these changes in my life.  I must stay committed to complete this journey.  It is not easy and there are many temptations and distractions that pull me away.  It would be easier if I knew where the end would be or if there was an end to this change at all.  I understand how alcoholics, and addicts in general, can fall off the wagon before is complete.  It is a long road to recovery.  So I must keep praying and keep focused.  I must keep my faith that God will continue to teach me, guide me, and protect me throughout this journey.

Thanks for letting me share.