Unfolding (Psalm 119:130)

Tonight, a group of ladies and I will begin "Ruth- loss, love and legacy". I went through this study on my own and finished in January. It was INCREDIBLE. I'm thrilled to do it again with a group.

This morning as I was having my time with God, I picked up our Connections(read Sunday School) small group study guide. This week we are focusing on meditating on and memorizing scripture. (Here is why I'm so passionate about it.)

Up to today, the daily reading has been in Psalm 119. Hello...love this particular Psalm big time. Today I read the assigned verses and sat for a little while to let them sink in. After a few minutes I began to flip on into the chapter to find these verses:

Psalm 119:129-132

Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.

The unfolding of your words give light.

I am absolutely taken by that phrase and have been thinking about it most of the morning. God gave me a picture this morning of a beautifully wrapped gift. The box is deep and the wrapping paper appears to be a pearl color. The ribbon and bow are a beautiful black velvet. As I untie the bow and take the lid off, I remove layers of tissue paper to find black velvet fabric surrounding the actual gift. The more I unfold the fabric, the more light I see. When the fabric is completely unfolded I'm looking at an old fashioned silver hand mirror. It is well polished (SHINY) and is stunning against that black velvet.

God's Word is like that box. It is a beautiful indescribable gift. (2 Cor. 9:15) When you begin to open or unfold God's word, you are letting light into your life. Sometimes that light shows you things that need correction. Maybe it reveals something you need to give up. Often, it seems easier to drop that beautiful mirror back into the box and walk away from the one gift that can change your life for the better.

BUT,

I am finding that the more I unfold that fabric and hold that mirror up to my face, the more I see my need for Jesus. The more I desire or as verse 131 says "pant, longing for your commands". I want as it says down in verse 135, for his face to shine upon me! I want him to teach me his decrees. I want to pray and LIVE Philippians 3:7-8a

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

Today, as we prepare to go through Ruth with these ladies my heart is praying in a different way. I'm praying that these next few weeks would be an unfolding of light in each heart. I'm praying and believing that God is preparing to do a mighty work in the hearts of 16 women.

Let the unfolding begin.