God’s Commands Done Quick || Psalm 119:60 || Manna for the Mind #86

Welcome to Day 86 of the “Manna for the Mind” devotional! This series is about taking scripture passages (typically 1-3 verses) and building our understanding of their teachings through their context and connecting scripture. I believe that doing this helps us understand how to be the type of human that God created us to be.

Today’s verse is Psalm 119:60. We will discuss the immediacy of following God’s commands.

Psalm 119:160

60          I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands.

It’s a simple verse that says to obey God’s teaching immediately. Let’s read the entire passage of this part of Psalm 119.

Psalm 119:57-64

57          Lord you are mine! I promise to obey your words!

58          With all my heart I want your blessings. Be merciful as you promised.

59          I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws.

60          I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands.

61          Evil people try to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your instructions.

62          I rise at midnight to thank you for your just regulations.

63          I am a friend to anyone who fears you – anyone who obeys your commandments.

64          O Lord, your unfailing love fills the earth; teach me your decrees!

Let’s break this passage down into three parts.

The psalmist makes a commitment to following God’s Word. He took some time to reflect on the direction their life was going. He believed that following God’s laws was the better path than the direction they were already in. Why did they make this choice? It’s because they want to receive the blessings that God promises. These blessings, especially for us today, include eternal life, the Holy Spirit, and the fruit of the Spirit. There’s an ever-present mercy that will exist throughout the relationship we have because God sent Jesus to die the sinner’s death as a sacrifice. This ultimate act of forgiveness allows us to go before God boldly and confidently. It teaches us to repent from the things that are not of God and live godly.

With these goals in mind, they immediately follow God’s commands. The community around them will try to make them sin, but they are anchoring themselves to his instruction. The community around us is tormented and often guided by evil spirits who want us to go against the teachings of God. God’s way of life is upside down compared to the world’s, but this upside-down way provides more benefits and better benefits than anything the world will share with you. When we commit to the upside-down way of life, we must commit to it!

The ways we commit to it may not be normal as we know it or normal compared to our past selves, but God’s way of life is radical. Even the psalmist commits to waking up at midnight to share gratitude with God. We should surround ourselves with people who encourage us, motivate us, call us out, and love us. If you’re a Christian, it’s really wise to do this with other Christians because your spiritual wisdom will strengthen. You can gain a community that will pray for you and hear your hurts, pasts, griefs, and successes. At the end of the day, we will see God’s love all around us and God’s teachings coming into our hearts and minds.

Father God, thank you for your commands. Given everything that goes around us, we struggle to understand and apply them in our world today. Still, your Word contains all kinds of wisdom from 3,500 BC to 2024 and beyond. Please help us to receive it, apply it, and share it with the world. It’s in your name, we pray. Amen.