May my cry come before you, Lord; give me understanding according to your word. May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise. May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous. May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation, Lord, and your law gives me delight. Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me. I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands. (Psalm 119:169-176)
Over and over again in these verses the writer asks for God’s help. There’s the need for understanding, help and deliverance from trouble, a desire for a life that is good, even the wisdom to speak well of things that really matter. As one request after another comes out we recognize the intensity of the needs being expressed. The writer likens himself to a lost sheep who has strayed and desires the shepherd to help it find its way.
Another picture we are given is of God reaching down with His hand to help us. The hand that reaches down is the hand of Jesus that is scarred from being nailed to the cross for our sins. It’s a loving and powerful hand that our name is engraved on. Not only will Jesus empower us to get out of trouble but He will walk with us and speak to us and give us instructions that we will actually find “delightful” to obey. How amazing would that be?
Our part in walking with God in recovery is to ask for and receive God’s help; to follow His instructions; and allow Him to uphold us with His righteous right hand. Just like little children, we may stumble and fall on the way, but as we remain close to God, He will hear our cry for help and respond to our need. Before long the sounds coming out of our mouths will be songs of joy and praise to our gracious God who tenderly loves and cares for us.
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