Today’s passage is from Psalm 119, and as I reminded us a couple of weeks ago, Psalm 119 contains 176 verses which are divided into 22 stanzas, and each stanza is titled with a letter from the Hebrew alphabet. The title of today’s passage is the 4th letter of the Hebrew alphabet, Daleth or Dalet, which generally means door or can symbolize a doorway, gateway, or a point of transition between two places. Daleth is known to represent lowliness or the consciousness of possessing nothing of one’s own.
In John 10, Jesus uses the metaphor of The Good Shepherd and His Sheep to describe His relationship (as the Good Shepherd) with His followers (the sheep). Depending on what translation you read, Jesus either refers to Himself as the door or as the gate for His followers. Friends, you and I are always between two places, and Jesus is our only safe passage. We entered safely when we came to Him through salvation, and He wants us to continue to choose Him in every place that we find ourselves so that He can provide us with spiritual nourishment. We can never forget that Jesus is our Good Shepherd Who laid down His life for us.
In the Bible, lowliness is often interchangeable with humility. It is within a state of lowliness where we find ourselves needing to lay down our earthly ego, pride, control, and arrogance, and we need to walk through our “Door – Jesus”, seeking His divine humility as we grow and are guided by His wisdom and strength.
Within today’s prayerful verses we can connect to the psalmist who is seeking Almighty God’s revival by His Word. The psalmist understands that he is in desperate need of the Good Shepherd’s guidance, because it is by God’s Word that the psalmist, as well as you and me, have a safe passage to navigate life.
Psalm 119:25-32 (NLT)
Daleth
25 I lie in the dust;
revive me by your word.
26 I told you my plans, and you answered.
Now teach me your decrees.
27 Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,
and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28 I weep with sorrow;
encourage me by your word.
29 Keep me from lying to myself;
give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.
30 I have chosen to be faithful;
I have determined to live by your regulations.
31 I cling to your laws.
Lord, don’t let me be put to shame!
32 I will pursue your commands,
for you expand my understanding.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for being our safe passage. We realize our need for You in every situation. Holy Spirit, please be with each one of us today. Impart Your wisdom, protect us, strengthen us, and guide us. Help us to grow every day closer to You by Your Word. Give us multiple opportunities each day to open Your Word and to speak about Your Word. We love You, Jesus, and ask all of this in Your Name. Amen.