The Bible is an answer to Jesus’ Prayer

I had to replace the batteries in the remote again and thought, “They don’t make batteries like they used to.” Then I realized it wasn’t the batteries.

I used to put on my favorite news station and watch the whole program. Now, I switch from station to station trying to find truth among the opinions. I think I need to buy stock in one of the battery companies. Truthfully, the off button on my remote will probably be the first to wear out. 

Should we wear masks if we are vaccinated? Where are all those families crossing the border going to live, work, and care for their children? Are there a lot of bad people crossing or mostly just families looking for work? And when it comes to politicians making news, what are the political maneuvers and what is the truth? 

It’s hard to do the right thing when it’s hard to know what is right. 

Times like these make me appreciate the pages of my Bible even more. 

Psalm 119 

When the world goes wonky I like to park myself in Psalm 119. That psalm grounds my thoughts and pushes me back to a peaceful place. Here are some “fun facts” about Psalm 119: 

  • It’s the longest chapter in our Bibles, with 176 verses.
  • It is arranged according to the Hebrew alphabet; some think King David wrote it as lessons for his children’s education.
  • The theme is God’s word, and it was used in worship to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.

If it has been a while since you felt fascinated or awed by the word of God, read Psalm 119 from start to finish.

If you want to spend some time listening to the truth, Psalm 119 is my recommendation. I think of those verses as the Lord leaning out of heaven and saying, “Relax, I’ve got this!” 

One of the verses in my favorite psalm says, “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever” (Psalm 119:160). No television network could make that claim. It’s time to filter the world’s news through God’s perfect word. 

If the world seems a bit wonky these days, settle into the righteous truth of Psalm 119. God has this wonky world in the palm of his hand!

The Bible is an answer to Jesus’ prayer

I had a new thought this week I wanted to share. When Jesus was in the garden waiting for the soldiers to arrive and arrest him, he spent a lot of that time praying for himself and for all who would be his disciples.  

One of Jesus’ prayers to his Father was, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). Jesus was asking God to use his word to make us holy. Why does God’s word make us holy? Because it is the truth. The next time you pick up the Bible, consider it an answer to the prayer Jesus prayed for you. 

When our thoughts and actions line up with God’s word, we can trust that our life is serving God. That seems a simple thought, but it is actually like finding a favorite and valued possession you thought you had lost. Even more, it is like holding in your hand a gift Jesus asked his Father to give you. 

A short blog that will take you a while to finish

I’m a teacher as well as a student of God’s word. So, this blog post has a homework assignment! 

I’m giving you the link to Psalm 119 and all 176 verses are assigned, required reading. (Wow . . . it’s been a lot of years since I passed out homework.) 

Those of you who complete the homework will be blessed. I’d like to suggest that God will give everyone who completes their homework an “A” for the day. 

As you read Psalm 119, remember that it is truth and it always has been. Consider those words an answer to the prayer Jesus prayed in the Garden before he allowed himself to become the ultimate sacrifice for our eternal lives.  

I am praying that Psalm 119 will bring us to a place of understanding the truth of this world compared to the truth of God.  

The Lord’s truth lasts forever and serves to sanctify us now, until that day we become holy forever. I hope when you finish your homework, having reached verse 176, you will hear the Lord lean out of heaven and say, “Don’t worry. I’ve got this!” Here is Psalm 119. I hope it makes your day what Jesus prayed it would be.