November 20, 2019 -- Psalm 119:56 -- Blessings poured out

This blessing has often fallen on me,

that I have kept your precepts.

Psalm 119:56 English Standard Version

It has been over fifty verses since the writer of this Psalm has noted the blessing of the LORD falling on him. At verses 1 & 2 he’d noted:

Blessed are those whose way is blameless,

who walk in the law of the LORD!

Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,

who seek him with their whole heart.

Those who walk in the way of the LORD, are the people who walk in blessedness. Our stanza, Zayin, the seventh stanza, has recounted times of trouble and affliction for the writer of this Psalm—but he did not waver. In the days of trouble and sleepless nights, he kept the rules of God ever before him. He did not turn aside from the judgments of the Living God.

He can look back now and declare the blessing of God has fallen on him. He can see God’s goodness. He has been saved by the undeserved grace of God—it was nothing he’d earned, it was not that the Mighty One of Heaven owed him a thing. Instead, though he was wretched and sinful, God the Merciful called David from darkness into His wonderful light.

Now that David had faced incredible trial and hardships and had stayed true to his commitment to the Living God he recognized how powerfully God has sustained him. Blessings—even more blessings than he’d anticipated—are flowing over his life. And it reaffirmed his commitment and deepened his vow to keep the precepts of his God. “To keep the precepts” means he will set a watch over his heart—a sentry that will warn him of any impending trouble so that he will not just fall into sin, nor will sin like a stealthy army overtake him; rather, he will remain pure and dedicated to God Who remembers him.

Thank You, God our Father, for the rich and glorious blessing of Jesus Christ! Thank You Jesus, for the powerful gift of Your Spirit Who strengthens us to walk in Your will and Your ways. With the psalmist we praise You, O God, for all the blessings that have fallen on us, in times of joy and times of sorrow. Rich blessings surrounded us in every moment of our walk with You—with awe we thank You and rededicate ourselves to You. Amen.