How to Have a Personal Relationship with God
Personalize Your Relationship With God
“Lord, give me your unfailing love, the salvation that you promised me. Then I can answer those who taunt me, for I trust in your word. Do not snatch your word of truth from me, for your regulations are my only hope. I will keep on obeying your instructions forever and ever. I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments. I will speak to kings about your laws, and I will not be ashamed. How I delight in your commands! How I love them! I honor and love your commands. I meditate on your decrees.” - Psalm 119: 41-48 NLT
Any relationship requires effort. In a wedding ceremony, both sides make a lot of “I” statements to show their dedication to each other. We have to take ownership of our actions, relationships, and life.
Our relationship with God is no exception.
In today’s stanza of Psalm 119, I want you to look at how you can own your relationship with God.
1 - I Will… Own My Relationship With God
Verses 44-46: I will keep on obeying your instructions forever and ever. I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments. I will speak to kings about your laws, and I will not be ashamed.
Take ownership of your relationship with God.
We talked about this already, but it is worth noting again. So many people don’t take ownership of it or they don’t take the relationship seriously.
Can you image saying wedding vows and not saying “I will (do all these things to take care of you)” and expecting only your partner to say it? That’s absurd.
2. Cause and Effect of Knowing God’s Word
Verses 41-42: Lord, give me your unfailing love, the salvation that you promised me. Then I can answer those who taunt me, for I trust in your word.
I wrote on Day 1 to notice the cause and effect pattern in these stanzas. This one really resonated with me.
- Verse 41: Cause isn’t clearly defined, but we can assume it’s following God’s laws. Because, the effect is receiving God’s unfailing love and salvation.
- Verse 42: Cause, Trusting in God word. Effect: Stand before those who taunt and mock us.
Notice the cause and effect here. You get to clearly see the result of knowing God’s Word. You get to see God’s love clear as day. When we own our relationship with Him, we get to experience this.
3. How To Be Bold in the Face of Opposition
Verse 46: I will speak to kings about your laws, and I will not be ashamed.
This verse show us that we can be fearless in front of anybody. Even in the face of those who hold our life in their hands. You can be confident and secure about your future.
God’s Word can bring you courage. We must want it.
This circles back to the “I will” verses. It shows the kind of determination and eagerness you and I should have. These verses are also in a step-by-step “how-to” format.
- I will Keep obeying instructions.
- Because of that, I will walk in freedom.
- Because of that, I will not be ashamed, even in front of powerful people.
Journal Questions
- What are some other causes and effects you see in this passage?
- How can you be bold today? this week?
- What can you start doing today to own your relationship with God?
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