I’ve heard it said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Jesus himself preached to the crowds about the broad road that leads to destruction.

But the psalmist opens the gate to an inviting path headed in a superb direction:

I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding. Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end.

The longer we follow the path of the Lord’s commands, the more expansive a life opens before us. The going involves hardship—always uphill—but the footing gets firmer as we root ourselves, day after day, in the decrees found in the Scriptures.

This particular trail looks narrow and rocky at the start, but widens into green pastures alongside peaceful waters. The path of the Lord’s commands stretches ready for you and me, if we decide to start walking.

Psalm 119:32-33 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Lili Popper

What do you find delightful? I delightfully discovered raspberries fruiting in our garden this week, and after a hot day working in the yard I enjoyed a glass of delightful lemonade. I find my wife delightful, even after all these years of marriage. Times with friends, old and new, form delightful experiences.

But I often overlook a ready source of delight. The psalmist wrote:

I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.

I enjoy reading the Bible, and I value my (almost) daily times taking in a portion of scripture. But do I open the book with an expectation of enchantment and fascination?

Beyond the thought, reading the Bible is good for me, lies the realization that inside the Good Book I find the very thoughts and impressions of God. The Lord speaks in a way that’s living and active. His words serve as wise counselors, always available.

The Creator of all delights waits behind the text to satisfy once again. Who wouldn’t want to take a look?

Psalm 119 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by sq lim 

About the only place I run these days is to the refrigerator. On rare occasions I hustle through an airport. I’ve heard of the runners high, experienced when a jogger breaks through a certain barrier and glides along in pleasure. Never got there—I only experience the runners slog. Don’t get me wrong, I walk and go to the gym. But run, not if I can help it.

So I’m impressed by the way the Lord made Elijah into a powerful runner. After his obliteration of the prophets of Baal, Elijah ran ahead of Ahab the king (who drove a chariot) all the way back to the palace, a distance of 20-some miles. Here’s how the writer described the experience:

The power of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

Must have been awesome to run like never before, enjoying the Lord’s strength and endurance. I think of Isaiah 40:31 where we’re told that those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Elijah literally experienced his strength renewed by the Lord. After a long hard day of confrontation, he completed a marathon-length run in sandals over rough roads. Not even a blister.

It’s appropriate to pray for the power of the Lord to touch your life. The promise we read from Isaiah—those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength—remains valid. Hope in the Lord and pray.

Lord give me strength, is no idle wish, but a simple prayer for renewal, one I pray often. Whether we need physical strength, or mental or emotional, the Lord holds the power to help us deal with our challenges and problems, to run and not grow weary.

1 Kings 18 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Jeremy Lapak

A lot of life takes place behind the scenes. Especially when it comes to loving our neighbor and seeking to honor the Lord. Mostly this involves little decisions made over and over. We pray, we fix a fence, we take a meal to someone recovering from surgery, we loan our car, we attend our local church.

Does anyone notice our unremarkable life? Actually, more people than you realize. Even more importantly, the Lord pays heed to the minutia: For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

Realize the Lord identifies those who hold to him, and empowers them to follow where He leads. Do the little extra for someone (or lot extra), and stop fretting about who gets the credit.

Focus on staying committed to the Lord, and the need to be noticed will take care of itself.

2 Chronicles 16 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Elena Mozhvilo