"May your unfailing love come to me, Lord, your salvation, according to your promise; then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word. Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws. I will always obey your law, for ever and ever."

Psalm 119:41-44

The Psalmist (it is unknown who wrote Ps 119 but probably young man) understood his own weakness. He knew that without God’s help, he was incapable of obeying God. He confessed his sinful past and then, with prayer after prayer, supplication after supplication, he entreated God to help him obey: ‘Teach me … Give me understanding … Direct me … Turn my heart … Turn my eyes …’ (vv. 33–37). These must be our constant prayers, too – not that God will turn us toward the Law but that God will turn us toward Jesus. The young man didn’t know that the ultimate sacrifice would one day be paid. It would be so perfect, so all-embracing, that the sacrifice for the living would be sufficient also for the dead: ‘… only together with us would they be made perfect’ (Heb 11:40). Jesus is the only way for us to the Father, but the power of his sacrifice transcends all time and space. Through Jesus, we and this young man will all reach eternal life with God.

APPLY

May our hearts and minds always be toward Jesus, Lord of the new covenant.

CLOSING PRAYER

Holy Spirit, in my faith journey, I look to you to teach me in ways that increase my love for God and obedience to his Word. Strengthen my walk with him so that others might see him in me and want to know him.

(edited from Encounter with God)