Day 24 Summer Psalms 116-120

As I prepare again for the distinctive task of teaching for the 2013/ 2014 school year, planning lessons  and organizing my classroom, I find in Psalms 116-119 what is most important than all of my micro-management of materials and man-made curriculum and that is my ability to maintain my focus on the ever-present guidance of the Lord.

Psalm 116:1-2, "I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because He inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live."

This is my re-commitment, as my life becomes busy again with the all-consuming work of my vocation, to Him whose steadfast love did not forsake me in this past year of personal trials: Psalm 118:17 and 24, "I shall live and recount the deeds of the Lord... This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." In these two verses is all and everything our loving wondrous Father wants from us, to spread His love to others and rejoice in each and every day that we may live to do so.

The importance of  keeping the "teachings" of God's word are found in all 176 verses of Psalm 119. In verse 9, it says, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to thy word." In verses 15 and 16 we are reminded to meditate on God's precepts, to fix our eyes on God's ways, and to not forget his word. Many synonyms are used for the "word" of God and are repeated over and over in this Psalm:  His ways, precepts, commandments, ordinances, statutes, teachings, and His testimonies. The value of living by God's word, the significant consequences of keeping His word are confirmed in Psalm 119: they bless, they counsel, they give light, they give comfort, they give peace, they give delight, they give strength, they give joy, they give understanding, they give wisdom, they give love, and  most of all, they give life!

I pray, Dear God, let my re-commitment to You be supported by Your word in my daily life. What better preparation than Your teachings is there for those of us who stand before the young people in our classrooms each and every day? Your word is so rich in the qualities we need to nourish them: blessing, counseling, light, comfort, peace, strength, delight, joy, understanding, wisdom, love, and life!

I end with this verse in praise of the steadfast love of You, my holy Father in Heaven, Psalm 119: 71 and 105, "It is good that I was afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes...; your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."