May I Walk The Talk!

Psalm 119:73–80 (NIV),

⁷³ Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. 

     ⁷⁴ May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word. 

⁷⁵ I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. 

     ⁷⁶ May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. 

⁷⁷ Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. 

     ⁷⁸ May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your         precepts. 

     ⁷⁹ May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes. 

     ⁸⁰ May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees, that I may not be put to shame.

Father I live among others who fear You -- in my family, my church and my community.  There are brothers and sisters in Christ who observe me.  They naturally make judgments about me. I pray that the study, the reading, the meditation and prayer in Your Word will be a testimony to others.  I certainly want to learn more about Your will; and I long that Your Word be my delight, but if it does not transform my life -- if if those in Christ do not witness a transformation of my character and a maturity in my understanding, then I am learning only to be puffed up. If I am reproached without basis then I will not worry about it because Your Word teaches me of Your love and compassion.  But Father help me not to be shamed for things for which I know better. May the instruction of Your Word and the behavior of my life be the same. I welcome Your discipline where I err for I long to be known as a follower of my God.  I pray this for the sake of Christ and for the ultimate and resounding joy of the Church. Amen.