Prayer of Presence:
Here I am as fully in your presence as I am able to be,
Offering my fears, my needs, my hopes, my love, and my life.
For I am yours and belong to no other.
40 Days of with Wesley by Rueben P. Job, p. 29
Scripture: Today’s reading is from Psalm 19:7-14
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are pure and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is your servant warned. In keeping them there is a great reward. But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from the insolent. Do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock, and my redeemer.
Reflection:
The psalmist integrates the glory and splendor of the spiritual and moral laws of the Lord (Exodus 20:1-11; Psalm 19:7-14) with the glory and splendor of the created order (Psalm 19:1-6). The understanding is that the Lord creates a magnificent and sustainable planet for human life to biologically flourish along with the spiritual and moral framework for flourishing humanity to live in peace and prosperity with God and one another.
In this second part of Psalm 19, the psalmist poetically describes the attributes of the Lord’s law as perfect, trustworthy, wise, just, clear, eternal, utterly desirable, and priceless. The law of the Lord also serves to warn, convict, reward, and keep individuals, hence societies, innocent of dehumanizing violence against self and others.
Honey is used as a metaphor in the psalm to describe the sweetness of the spiritual and moral law of the Lord. Honey is a super-food with many health benefits. The proper use of honey promotes energy and healing. Similarly, the law of the Lord and its spiritual and moral support of a vision for flourishing humanity offers the sweet hope for healing a world wounded by sin. Such a vision and possibility of a spiritually and morally healed world is indeed sweeter than honey and more desirable than gold, even much fine gold.
Questions for Reflection:
Prayer Focus: For the grace to desire the righteous life that is pleasing to God and a blessing to others.
Concluding Prayer:Resources
