Daily Devotion – October 1, 2021 – Dr. Pat Taylor Ellison

Psalm 19:7-14
19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple;
19:8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes;
19:9 the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
19:11 Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
19:12 But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.
19:13 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.
19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

The composer of this psalm believes that the Lord will never steer us wrong. The laws, decrees, precepts, commandments, ordinances, and even the fear of the Lord causes only good and makes life more whole, more complete, more satisfying than it would be without them.

But the psalmist is concerned that he might be led astray from the pure interpretation of God’s law by insolent people who interpret or keep the law in a faulty way, so he prays at the end of this passage the most famous line from this psalm: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

I love the psalmist’s dedication of his speaking and his thinking and even his meditation and musing to God and God’s pure goodness. I wonder how many times I have every dedicated my words or my thoughts or meditations to God’s pure goodness, that they might be acceptable to God. Wouldn’t that be the best way to begin any venture?

How might we put this dedication into a daily practice, even just for a week? Perhaps we take a moment when beginning our work day, whatever that might look like for us, to praise God and God’s infinite wisdom, patience, and goodness, and then ask that our own work might please this God we have just praised.  It would take only a couple of extra minutes every morning (or whenever we begin our work), but what excellent fruit might we bear? I’m going to try it.

Gracious God, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for showing us the way to live each day. Help us to dedicate our work to you and begin it hoping it will be acceptable to you, oh Lord.    Amen.