Ps. 119:73-9673 Your hands have made and fashioned me;
give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
because I have hoped in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 Let your steadfast love comfort me
according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
for your law is my delight.
78 Let the insolent be put to shame,
because they have wronged me with falsehood;
as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you turn to me,
that they may know your testimonies.
80 May my heart be blameless in your statutes,
that I may not be put to shame!81 My soul longs for your salvation;
I hope in your word.
82 My eyes long for your promise;
I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84 How long must your servant endure?
When will you judge those who persecute me?
85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
they do not live according to your law.
86 All your commandments are sure;
they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
87 They have almost made an end of me on earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 In your steadfast love give me life,
that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.89 Forever, O Lord, your word
is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand this day,
for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have given me life.
94 I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
but I consider your testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your commandment is exceedingly broad.
After rereading the scripture for Mar 11, I was reminded of a student in Calculus I at a college in St. Louis. As the instructor, I could see the efforts of this student, both in the classroom and in his office help visits with me. However, he made 30 on test I, redoubled his efforts and made 50 on test II and 65 on test III. By averaging 4 tests and a comprehensive final, there was no way for him to earn a C. I talked to him because I had seen his resolve and dedication to improve academically. I told him that if he improved on test IV and the final, he would receive the grade he made on the final. He made 75 on test IV and 85 on the final. He earned his B.
God offers us chances for spiritual growth if we aren’t self-satisfied and try to better ourselves spiritually. Failure is not the end of the road. God’s kindness leads us to repentance. As with my student who acknowledged his shortcomings and worked to correct them, acknowledgement of our shortcomings leads to true repentance and to spiritual healing and growth.
Dear Heavenly Father, help us acknowledge our shortcomings and do the spiritual work to move us closer to You. You are our Creator and we belong to You. Amen.
Margaret Gessley
