Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. 131 I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. 132 Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. 133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. 134 Redeem me from the oppression of men, that I may obey your precepts. 135 Make your face shine upon your servant and teach me your decrees. 136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.

While in many ways we all share many attributes we are each one unique in other ways. We all face common physical ailments – some more common than others. We all face common problems and common temptations. Yet, we each are more susceptible to certain things than we are to other things. For example, some of us are more susceptible to respiratory problems than others. Some are more susceptible to gastric or cardiac or blood pressure ailments than others. The same is true when it comes to our spiritual world. The Psalmist says; “let no sin rule over me”. The Hebrew writer tells us to throw off the sin that so easily entangles us. Notice, he says “the sin” and not just “a” sin. There are certain things that tempt me that are no temptation to others at all, while there are things that might tempt you that are no problem to me. By recognizing and admitting the particular sin that is mine I am able to better prepare to overcome it. If I deny my susceptibility to it, I will never be able to overcome it. It is God who gives me strength to overcome but he also gives me wisdom to “lay aside” or to “flee” or to “avoid” instead of choosing to fight. In other words, as Jesus taught his disciples to pray; “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil”.

Another side of this coin is that we need to be careful about passing judgment on others who are struggling with some temptation (or sin) in their life that seems so trivial to us. It may be ridiculous that I would give in to that sin but it is probably equally ridiculous that the other person would be tempted by some sin that I battle on a daily basis. Instead of ridiculing them, we should help them overcome, encourage them and pray for them.

O God, please help me to see my own sinfulness. Help me to admit my own weaknesses. Please give me strength to trust you to help me to overcome. Give me wisdom to avoid temptation instead of making provision for the flesh. Help me in my attitude and actions toward others and their struggles. Use me to help them today instead of criticizing or passing judgment on them. Fill me with your Spirit that your love may overflow to all I meet. I pray in the name of Jesus.

May God bless each of us today.