I will run in the
way of your commandments
when you enlarge my
heart! Psalms 119.32
There was one word
that stood out to me as I read this. It's the word 'when'. (I find it
fascinating how a simple word can make such a difference.)
The first line of
this verse holds a bold promise. The psalmist pledges himself to run. That's a
commitment to devote himself not just to work at obeying this or that command
but rather to pursue a particular way of looking at life, one that is based on the
commandments. That really is saying something.
But this is where
the 'when' shows up. It adds a very important element to that bold promise. The
psalmist knows that keeping that promise isn't going to happen until God acts.
He needs to do something to the psalmist. He needs to make it possible for our
friend to actually live in that way.
This is a glorious
expression of the writer’s dependence on God's grace. If there is no grace then
there will be no life of obedience. But if God gives this grace…
And our friend is
quite optimistic when it comes to God acting in this way. He doesn't say 'if you enlarge my heart' but rather 'when'.
There is great
comfort in living in this way, in believing this part of the Gospel. It is
God's grace that makes the seemingly impossible actually happen. And our God is
eager to give us all the grace that we need.