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Psalm 119:35-37 – Lead me in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in Your ways.
What kinds of worthless things draw your attention? The world in which we live and the daily demands of life constantly command our attention. Many of these things are very important, for example, family, work, and our busy involvement in church activities. These things are gifts of God and are done in His service, but worthless things can be equally demanding. Our attention is drawn to social media, texts, and videos. We may be distracted by news—online, on television, and in print. We seek out others who agree with our point of view and enjoy quarreling with those who disagree. We may become involved in worthless things and behaviors that our Lord forbids. We know that so much of what we see is worthless, but in our fallen sinfulness we are drawn to such things. We cannot look away.
The psalmist knew that he needed help, just as we do. In these psalm verses, he begs for the Lord’s help in turning away from the worthless things that threaten to separate him from God and His Word. He cries out in prayer, “Lead me … incline my heart … turn my eyes … give me life.” Those words shape our prayers, too. We pray that the Lord would lead us to walk in righteous paths that are paved with His commands. When we are tempted by selfish gain, we ask the Lord to incline, or turn, our hearts to His Word. When we cannot stop looking at all of the worthless and tempting things that surround us, we ask the help of the Holy Spirit to turn our eyes away. We want to look at the gifts that God has given to us, the people we are called to serve, and the beauty and majesty of His creation. We pray that God would give us life—a new life of peace and hope, a life of service to Him that extends into eternity.
Will He help us? Will God lead us, incline our hearts, turn our eyes, and give us life? We know that He will because in love and grace, He inclined His fatherly heart to save us. He led His own Son to walk the path to the cross. Jesus suffered the penalty of death for our sins, for all of the ways in which we turn from God to occupy ourselves with worthless things. On the third day after Jesus’ death, the Father gave life to His Son, who gives His life and victory to us. God leads us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. He inclines our hearts to delight in His Word. Ask for the Lord’s help. He will turn your eyes and heart to worthwhile things.
WE PRAY: Lord, lead me to delight in Your Word and turn my eyes to worthwhile things. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
- Life is full of options. What is a favorite thing you love to do?
- How do you keep things in perspective when you find your attention drawn to worldly things?
- God knows all about the sins we get entangled in. Take a moment to pray about those things in your life.
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