from Psalm 119:121-128 “My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.” v. 123
Approaching God’s Word with Expectation
When you sit down with your Bible, are you expecting something amazing to happen? Or are you just checking it off your to-do list, like “Okay, God, I read the verse—happy now?” I’ll be honest, there have been days when I’ve done just that. But Psalm 119:121-128 is a reminder that we should approach God’s Word with a sense of expectation—like a kid waiting for the ice cream truck, knowing that something good is coming.
Bold Prayers: Confidence in God’s Promises
In these verses, the psalmist is bold—he’s confident that God is going to act. He’s not coming to God timid and unsure, but with the certainty that God’s going to show up and do something awesome. “I’ve done what is just and right,” he says (talk about confidence!). And then he asks God to back him up—”Don’t leave me hanging here, Lord!” How often do we pray with that kind of boldness?
And then there’s verse 123: “My eyes long for your salvation.” The psalmist is like a kid peeking out the window, waiting for Dad to come home, knowing He’s going to walk through that door any minute. That’s the kind of expectation we should have when we’re looking into God’s Word. We should be looking out over the horizon, knowing God is going to show up and fulfill His promises.
Loving God’s Word More Than…
Here’s another thing I love about this passage: the psalmist’s absolute love for God’s Word. He says he loves it more than gold—fine gold, to be exact. (Not just any old gold, but the really good stuff!) He’s basically saying, “Look, all that glitters is not gold to me if it’s not God’s Word.” And you know what? That’s exactly how I want to feel every day.
Hating What’s False: Aligning with God’s Truth
But it’s not just about loving God’s Word; it’s about hating what’s false. The psalmist doesn’t mess around here—he says, “I hate every false way.” He’s got his priorities straight. And that’s what I’m aiming for, too. I want to be so aligned with God’s truth that anything that’s not from Him just doesn’t sit right with me.
So, how do we get there? How do we develop this kind of love and expectation when it comes to our Bible study? It starts with being intentional. Don’t just read—dwell. Don’t just skim—soak it in. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly (see what I did there?).
This week, I encourage you to take some time to really dig into these verses. Ask God to help you see His Word with fresh eyes (ayin, remember?). Approach your Bible study with boldness and expectation, trusting that God is going to show up and speak to your heart.
And hey, if you’re feeling a little unsure or you’re stuck in a rut, know that you’re not alone. I’ve been there, too. But together, we can press on, trusting that God’s steadfast love is going to guide us every step of the way.
Dwell Deeply – Engage Boldly
Before we wrap up, I want to challenge you to take what you’ve learned and boldly apply it in your relationships and your church community. Engage with those around you. Start a conversation about what you’ve been studying, encourage someone with the truths from Psalm 119, and step out in faith to be a light in your church. Whether it’s joining a Bible study, leading a group, or simply being more present and intentional in your relationships, now is the time to act. God’s Word is powerful, and when we live it out boldly, it not only transforms us but also those around us.
If you found this post helpful, I invite you to listen to the full podcast episode. There, I dive deeper into this section of Psalm 119 and share more insights on how to grow in your study of the Bible. Click “Dwelling Richly” in the menu and go to “Podcast/Messages” – you’ll find this and the rest of the “How to Study the Bible” series on that page. Also available is a 3-day devotional for this portion of Psalm 119 to help you grow and have time with the Lord. I hope you’ll check that out too.
The Dwelling Richly podcast is where I teach, think, share, and engage with you about God’s Word – how to let it dwell in us and how we can return the favor, and dwell in the Word. I invite you to say hi, leave a comment, share your thoughts, and even share this post. Click “Dwelling Richly” on the menu above and explore the podcast, blog, and Bible studies. All free and open to you – be a part of the Dwelling Richly community. ~Jennifer
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