Fashioned to be His

Based on: Psalm 119 73 – 80
 
When you read Psalm 119:73–80, do you pick up on the repeated word and sentiment from the previous stanza? The writer continues to point out his delight in God’s word. We know that this is a familiar theme throughout this Psalm. When I read these verses again in preparation for this blog the first verse jumped off the page.  I had read these verses several times, but this time God opened my eyes to something I had not seen before.
 
         Your hands have made and fashioned me;
give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.[1]
 
The writer presents two streams of thought to us. He begins by reminding us that mankind was created by God, and then in the same sentence he asks God to give him the understanding to learn God’s commandments. Both of these topics are import but the first phrase has my attention today; “Your hands have made and fashioned me.”
 
God Created:
This is not new information, nor a new revelation to me. It is a reminder. God brought this fact into fuller understanding for me. We can be confident in the fact that it was God, the creator of the world who used His own hands to shape and bring into being the very first humans to live on this earth.  One was created from the dust of the earth, and the other created from the flesh of the first. Please do not believe that the first person, Adam, was any more important than the second person, Eve.  In God’s own words she was created to be “a helper, suitable for him.” God created men and women to complement each other.  Whether married or single, man or woman, you benefit by having people of the opposite sex in your life.  Each person brings their unique point of view.  Learn to appreciate each person brought across your path.  Each one will enhance your life experience.
 
God Created Me, Debi Snider
God created and fashioned me to be uniquely me, and to be HIs. He knows I do not appreciate confrontation, that I tend to run from difficult situations. He made me that way.  He knows I rather enjoy being in “lockdown” during COVID. He knows I do not mind at all not speaking to people I do not know well. He knows there are some things that I find easy to keep organized, and that I love my to-do lists.  But He also knows that I can be extremely lazy and at times I ignore my to-do list.
 
Are you a combination of contradictions like I am?  These “weaknesses” are exactly where I need to become more like Christ.
 
Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, Philippians 2:5   
 
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.  2 Peter 3:18
 
Covid-19 Lesson for Debi:  God made me unique, but I am not to use personal weakness[JW1]  as excuses not to strive to be more like Christ. He promises to[JW2]  help us do what we can[JW3] do on our own.
 
 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13
 
I need to set aside my love and desire of being [JW4] alone and force myself to interact with people face to face.  Well, 6 feet apart.  “Speaking” to people through my blog, and other writing, allows me to hide behind the safety of my computer.  This is part of my ministry, but this is not the only way God wants me to connect and minister. 
 
Dear Lord, you are my God, it is you who has fashioned me. I want others to know I am yours. Help me to become more like you each day. Thank you for the promise that you will give me the strength to do and be what I am not able to do and be in my own strength. Show me who I am to connect with today. Give me the words to say, and soften me to have a compassionate heart.
 
What has God said to you through the verses of Psalm 119:73–80?  He does have a message in these verses for you.  Read it enough times so that you know what that message is.  You may think that it is a small, insignificant message, but if He is speaking to you, telling you to do something, it is no small message. 
 
Craft your own prayer to the Lord today.
 


[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ps 119:73). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.