Desperate But Not Hopeless

Many Faces of Wisdom Faith and Wisdom in James Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)    Taming the Tongue Psalm 119:169-176 New Revised Standard Version 169 Let my cry come before you, O Lord;     give me understanding according to your word. 170 Let my supplication come before you;     deliver me according to your promise. 171 My lips will pour forth praise,     because you teach me your statutes. 172 My tongue will sing of your promise,     for all your commandments are right. 173 Let your hand be ready to help me,     for I have chosen your precepts. 174 I long for your salvation, O Lord,     and your law is my delight. 175 Let me live that I may praise you,     and let your ordinances help me. 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out your servant,     for I do not forget your commandments.   For Reflection These verses from Psalm 119 are a prayer of intercession. The writer invites God to enter his soul and transform his weariness.  It is a cry of desperation, a recognition of one's inability to fend off the seductions of Godlessness alone. The prayer professes one's faith in God and confidence in God's power to transform one's life through grace. The writer confirms the rightness of God. The writer is desperate, but not hopeless. His hope comes from an intensified understanding of the Word and the reinforcing presence of God's hand and council. Pray Pray the prayer of the psalmist. Pray it in desperation. Pray it with confidence in the abiding presence of God. Pray it to confess your hope for a transformed life. Forward to a friend