Niels Prip – Blog

It seems to me that Psalm 119 gives great instruction and understanding to what it means to walk by the Spirit. Spending time meditating and pray-reading this Psalm is of great value to our spiritual lives. I can hardly read a few verses without having to stop and ponder what is being said.

In Psalm 119:81-88, David is lamenting his troubles and the persecution he is under. He is longing for the Lord’s comfort, which is being delayed. Many times we ourselves are under stress, wondering where the Lord is. David acknowledges that the Lord’s commandments are faithful and is asking for help. In verse 85 he says, “The arrogant have dug pits for me, men who are not in accord with Thy law”. His persecution is coming from men who do not follow the ways of the Lord. Men who walk according to the flesh, who are not following the ways of God. In verse 150 David also says “Those who follow after wickedness draw near; They are far from Thy law”.

In contrast, David says this about himself, “Look upon my affliction and rescue me, for I do not forget Thy law”. Also, in verses 44-45 he says “So I will keep Thy law continually, forever and ever, and I will walk at liberty, for I seek Thy precepts”.

There is a huge contrast between those who walk according to God’s law, and those who don’t. Those who walk according to the Spirit and those who don’t. In the Jeremiah 31:33 we are told that ““I will put My law within them, and on their heart, I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people”. Brothers and sisters, are God’s laws being written on your hearts? There is no shortcut to making that happen. As David endured his trials, his continual turning to God’s laws and precepts is what kept him.

In my own life, there have been many betrayals. It was Psalm 119 and the Psalms in general that helped me get through it all. In the Psalms, I found David facing the same trials that I was facing. It was unbelievable. We will not be able to make it through unless God writes His laws on our hearts. We need to walk according to His laws and according to His Spirit. It is His Spirit that helps us, may we continue to lean on Him.

I encourage you to read and meditate on the Psalms, pray as you read them. Get them in to your heart.