Strong Resolve

Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me. (Ps 119:5,8)

The psalmist longs to be obedient to God’s commands. Yet it is clear in v5 that he is not. Otherwise why long for it? But in v8 he doesn’t say, “I’ll try harder next time.” No, he makes an affirmative statement: “I will obey your decrees.” Sometimes I feel hypocritical making such statements because I know I’ll probably fall again. But I think having a strong resolve is important, as well as avoiding a defeatist attitude. When we stumble and fall we repent and get back up again, and immediately reaffirm our strong resolve: I will obey your decrees.