Praying Scripture – 1/8/2020

Psalm 1 paints the portrait of two paths that we can choose from: to delight in God’s instruction or to walk in the way of the wicked. The “law of the Lord” can also be translated as the “instruction of YHWH,” which I prefer for two reasons. First, culturally we bring certain expectations to the idea of “law” that don’t necessarily fit with the original meaning. Second, God’s “law,” “instruction,” or “Torah” includes lots of material that doesn’t fit into our understanding of “law,” including narratives and poetry that reveal to us the nature of God and how He relates to his people.

¹ Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.

Psalm 1:1-2 NIV

Father, Thank you that you teach us in Your Torah. Thank you for revealing Your character and Your ways to us. Thank You that we don’t live in darkness, but in the light of Your revelation, seen in Your Word in Scripture but even more importantly in the Word, Your Son Jesus. Help us to be people who walk in your paths and delight in Your teaching. Fill us with a hunger for your instruction and bring it quickly to mind. Work in our lives, transforming us into the image of Jesus, and bless us so that we can be a blessing to others, pouring out Your love to a broken and hurting world. In Your precious Son’s name we pray. Amen.