Emotional Health

Connection with God

This devotional is written by Jenny Peters. Jenny Peters is the Director of a charity, called Connected Lives, which offers early support for key relationships.

Psalm 119:73-80

י Yodh

73 Your hands made me and formed me;
give me understanding to learn your commands.
74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
for I have put my hope in your word.
75 I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
78 May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
but I will meditate on your precepts.
79 May those who fear you turn to me,
those who understand your statutes.
80 May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,
that I may not be put to shame.

Reflection

In The Message Bible verses 75-77 read like this: "I can see now, God, that your decisions are right... Oh, love me – and right now! – hold me tight, just the way you promised. Now comfort me so I can live, really live; your revelation is the tune I dance to."

What an incredible description this is of our relationships with God. The psalmist describes a strong, loving bond, where we can demand love from the other, simply because we know we're already beloved. Too often we think of a relationship with God as one sided – we (the guilty ones) are lucky just to be given some kind of a place at the table. We keep our heads down, hoping that no one will notice that we're there and that we won't be found out. Or we may view our relationship as more of a bargain than a bond. I live like this for you God, if you do this for me. Neither of these expresses the actual reality of the New Testament view of our relationship with God. In this passage the psalmist demands that God hold him tight and give him comfort. This connection and comfort is what makes him live. He knows what it is to be included in the divine relationship.

How did you get on yesterday living in the light of God's love and delight? To be loved is empowering, to be loved and forgiven by the creator of the universe should be empowering beyond imagining. Verse 77 suggests that when we truly know this love, life becomes a dance. There are no wrong steps; it's the kind of dancing you do alone when no one is watching.




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