Psalm 119:88 | “In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.”

The psalmist asks God to give him life. He wants to come through his trial with renewed strength and real joy, but he also knows that nothing in this world can satisfy apart from God. Ecclesiastes reminds us that the passing pleasures of life can only really be enjoyed when we see them as gifts from his hand. He bases his request on God’s hesed. He understands that the only way to walk in obedience without distraction is to be upheld by the grace of God. His aim is not simply to endure but to live in a way that honors the Lord. If he is going to do the will of God, God must supply life, strength, and resolve. Spurgeon captures this truth well. He writes, “If quickened by the Holy Ghost we shall be sure to exhibit a holy character. We shall be faithful to sound doctrine when the Spirit visits us and makes us faithful. None keep the word of the Lord’s mouth unless the word of the Lord’s mouth quickens them.” May we pray the same way, confessing our dependence on God to give us life so we can walk faithfully in his word.