"O That My Ways Were Directed To Keep YOUR Statutes!"

O that my ways were directed 

to keep YOUR statutes!

(James Smith, "Gleams of Grace" 1860)

"YOU have commanded us to keep 
YOUR precepts diligently. O that my 
ways were directed to keep YOUR 
statutes!" Psalm 119:4, 5

THE COMMAND. 

"YOU have commanded us 
to keep YOUR precepts diligently."

GOD'S precepts are to be kept--

we should keep them . . .

  in our minds and memories, and

  in our practice and daily behavior.

They are to be kept diligently . . .

  as our rule of conduct,

  as our guide in all of life.

They are to be kept with sincerity, 

promptness, and careful attention.

We should keep them as 

the command of GOD--

of GOD who is our FATHER, 

the source and giver of all 

good things.

We should keep them too, as 

those who must give an account.

THE DEVOUT ASPIRATION. 

"O that my ways were directed 
to keep YOUR statutes!" 

This aspiration expresses a love 

to the precepts, and an approval 

of them. It intimates that there are 

hindrances or difficulties in the way 

of keeping them . . .

  satan hinders,

  the world hinders,

  the flesh hinders.

This aspiration is a recognition 

of our weakness--

and a desire for Divine strength. 

Divine influence is necessary 

to enable us to keep GOD'S statutes. 

HE who gives the precept--

must give the wisdom and the 

strength, necessary to observe it. 

HE who requires obedience--

is ready to give us ability to render it. 

Let us then take every precept to HIS 

throne of grace, and with a hearty desire 

to do all that GOD commands, just 

because he commands it, and 

with a view to HIS glory; 

and cry out from the depths 

of the soul, 

"O that my ways were directed 
to keep Your statutes!"

Beloved, if we perform duty in a right 

spirit, it will soon become our delight. 

It will . . .

  bring us near to GOD,

  keep us dependent on JESUS, and

  lead us into close fellowship 

with the HOLY SPIRIT.

It will preserve us from 

a thousand snares--

and introduce us to a thousand 

unknown, and unexpected joys!

Gracious Lord, direct us daily, that 

we may keep your precepts diligently!

       

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GraceGems has published J.A. James' helpful article,
"Attendance on Week-Day Services".