Psalm 119:168 – You Know My Ways
I have kept your precepts and testimonies,
for you can see all my ways.
Poetry is a good start for meditation because so much is left to the imagination. Poetic passages are like seeds that grow into thoughts.
In this verse you can ask so many questions that will generate valuable thought. For example, is God’s view of all ones life and actions the motivation for doing right? If so, is it because of fear of judgment or the desire to please? Is this “big brother is watching me” or “I have such a knowledgeable and helpful companion that I’d like to do what he finds positive.”
Another thought occurred to me, however, and that is simply that the person who sees everything can give good directions for attaining any goals I might be likely to have. I like that thought. It goes well with my view of the doctrine of creation, and particularly the creation of human beings.
In Genesis 1, we have the expression of power. When it comes to the creation of the first human, it’s simply a story of God says “let’s make humans” and so God makes them. No fuss or bother. Simple power.
This is followed by Genesis 2, in which we have God playing in the mud and personally getting involved in the making of the humans. God spends time with the first man, and moves on to make the first woman, taking time to introduce that first man to the animals..
Then there is Psalm 104, which expresses the continuous care. God gives breath and creatures live. God removes breath and they perish. Everything is dependent on God and God’s power.
But then we have Psalm 8, where we are told that humanity is made a little lower than God and is crowned with glory and honor. So humanity is not some throwaway project, but rather an important part of God’s activity.
I hear all of these elements in the phrase, “for you can see all my ways.” God can see as the creator. God values us as the objects of care and attention, continuously. God plans to honor us, having a glorious purpose for each and every one.
The invitation is to get with the program of the creative and powerful, caring, attentive God who hold us in high value.
Does this sound like a good place to be?
(Featured image generated by Jetpack AI.)
