Psalm 119

December 31, 2019

Many people make resolutions at the beginning of the calendar year. Whether these intentions to improve ourselves are physical or spiritual, we see the new year as an opportunity for a new start.

Maybe you’re committing to spiritual growth this year. Perhaps your goals include more regular worship service attendance, a deeper prayer life, or a greater commitment to daily Scripture reading. If so, the Psalms are a great place to start, as they give voice to a wide range of emotions we can take to God. I often find that the Psalms have already articulated the things I want to say, whether I’m happy, sad, or angry.

Psalm 119 is relatively well-known because it is the longest chapter in the Bible. As a result, we might be tempted to avoid reading it. The sheer length is intimidating—in addition, it contains detailed structure and challenging themes.

Yet throughout history, God’s people have found Psalm 119 to be a truly inspiring and edifying word from God. Throughout its 176 verses, the psalm passionately calls God’s people to be deeply engaged with God’s Word, the Bible. The psalmist teaches us that we meet God himself in his Word. And as we come to know God more, our desire to love and serve him grows.

It turns out that, then, Psalm 119 is especially appropriate for us at the beginning of this new year. Whether we’re newly committed or recommitted to Scripture, may our study this month spark in each of us a deeper passion for God’s Word and for loving and serving God each day.

This month's writer, Kurt Selles, is the director of Back to God Ministries International, the parent organization of ReFrame Media, which publishes these Today devotions. Kurt is a graduate of Calvin Theological Seminary and Vanderbilt University. Kurt previously served as director of the Global Center at Beeson Divinity School, where he also taught missions. He also served as a missionary in Taiwan and China. Kurt and his wife, Vicki, have three adult children.

May you be refreshed, refocused, and renewed in God’s Word this year!

About the author — Steven Koster

Rev. Dr. Steven Koster joined Back to God Ministries International in 2006 and soon launched ReFrame Media with a fresh vision for media and technology to build disciples and communities in Christ. During his time as Director of ReFrame, he also served as the Executive Editor of Today. Steven stepped down from these roles in 2019 as he felt led to focus on new challenges, including doctoral research and their family’s bed and breakfast in Grand Rapids. He and his wife Deb have three adult children and enjoy leading pre-marital counseling and marriage enrichment seminars. Steven continues to collaborate with Deb to produce our marriage and family ministry, Family Fire.