Seriously? July 1? Already? That means we are 1/2 way through 2025…already. That also means (around here) one month until school starts. My memory is not so bad that I don’t remember getting out of school around Memorial Day and not going back until after Labor Day. That meant 3 whole months of blissful summer. July and August were taken up by playing baseball and then August was when we went to visit family. Miss baseball? Not a chance! But we had a whole month to visit family so why? Needless to say these days are different. And to be perfectly honest: I had enough trouble studying when the weather turned cooler and colder. Trying to study when I should be outside doing what I was made to do (have fun and not study) would be even more trying.
July 1 is a perfect time to stop and evaluate. I’m half way through the year. How am I doing? Like many, I’m okay on some things; not so okay on others.
I’m okay with my daily reading of Everyday Gospel Devotional by Paul David Tripp. My daily encounter with his devotions and the Scripture involved is on target. It has helped preaching from the previous week’s devotions and Scripture. It has required that I stay about 3-4 weeks ahead in my first reading in order to plan my sermons. My second reading is each morning. The message this Sunday is taken from Psalm 119. In fact, I read the first 88 verses just this morning. Reading those verses got me thinking along the lines of asking myself how I was doing. Here are a few of the verses from Psalm 119 that stood out to me this morning:
“How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.” (v. 9)
“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (v. 11)
“Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.” (v. 18)
“Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.” (v.37)
“You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands. May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word.” (Vv.73-74)
Those are just a few that made me think and meditate this morning. What about you? I’d like to encourage you to stop and take the time to read Psalm 119: 1-88 and then let me know what verse(s) stood out to you. {Note: All Scripture from the NLT}
Verse 37 is one I have prayed and pndered before–“Keep me from paying attention to what is worthless.” Sometimes I can get so distracted by the little things, the “fluff” of life, that I lose sight of (and time for) what is really important. I contantly need to refocus.
That verse sure resonates doesn’t it Pam? Especially in our world of worthless “attention getters.”
Half way through 2025 doesn’t seem real yet, but that’s exactly where we are. Now is a good time to reflect on how things have gone in the first half and what God wants us to focus on for the remainder of the year. May we all be better examples of His love and mercy in this world.
Blessings, Bill!
There is a big need for us all to be better examples for sure.
Having two sons and a daughter of age to marry, and being a man myself… Psalm 119:9 ESV
[9] How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.119.9.ESV
That verse is a must highlight for today’s young people. Actually for all of us.
For me its verses 9-11, because I want to keep God’s word, I want to seek Him with all my heart, I do not want to wander away from God, and I treasure God’s word and I want to keep from sinning. With all that, God also loves me when I am not perfect. God knows my heart, and yet God sees me fail at the very things I do treasure in my heart but at times cannot keep my word on keeping God’s word. God continues to walk with me, teach me, and shapes me into being closer to Him so that my thinking will reflect God’s ways, more than my ways. When I see things in God’s way more and more, my heart deepens for more of God, and less of me.
Those are probably my two most favorite verses in this chapter Gail. I love their simplicity and promise. Your desire to focus on Him is absolutely essential.