A Word from Psalm 119

When you get to the end of this day, what will be the standard by which you measure your success? Will it be how much you accomplish, or how much you earn? Will it be a good day if your life is balanced between work and rest, or if you manage to get through the day without being frustrated about something? Will success be measured by how you feel, or what you have? Or could there be a different standard that leads to deeper success?

Well, in today's word from Psalm 119, one of God's poets reflected on what success meant to him:

"Oh, that my actions would consistently 

     reflect your decrees!" he said.

"Then I will not be ashamed 

     when I compare my life with your commands." (119:5-6)

You see scripture invites us to make obedience to God's way the standard by which we measure our lives. In place of all the demands, and expectations, and enticements that the world emphasizes, it calls us to realize that lasting success is rooted in God's purpose for us - and not in all pressing but far-less-worthy goals to which we so often devote ourselves.

And if we resist that idea, because we think that following God's way is restrictive or burdensome, the psalm assures us that obedience is actually the path to the best kind of success:

"Joyful are people of integrity," the psalmist says,

     "who follow the instructions of the LORD.

Joyful are those who obey his laws 

     and search for him with all their hearts." (119:1-2)

So today, may you have joy! And may walking in obedience to God's way bring you the best kind of success. Amen.