Psalm 119:73-80: We are the Lord's handwork

Psalm 119:73 “Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.”
Psalm 119:80 “May my heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame!”

I work with my hands. I enjoy it and relish it. There is something special about doing something with your own fingers and abilities that when you are done you can sit back and admire your handywork. Every night, watching those planes go out of the hanger to the terminal, I have a tremendous feeling of satisfaction in a job well done. At home, I enjoy puttering around and nurturing my attempts at bonsai. I enjoy working with my hands, and I know that you do too.

This 10th section of the 119th psalm is all about hands. Every single line begins with Yodh which is “hand” and the psalmist explores this idea about the hands of God. I had the hardest trouble getting past the first part of the first verse in this section because it was so amazing! God's hands have made and fashioned me! God didn't just pluck me out of an assembly line or delegate the responsibility for me, He chose to make me Himself because he takes pleasure out of making things and working with His hands too! He made me, there in the safety of my mother's womb, He made me and when He was finished He was pleased and said “Ahh, you are a fine example of my good work!” Do you know what? He said the same about you!

Not only is the past tense used, but in actuality, the present tense is referred to and underlies the whole passage! Not only did God make me and fashion me, He is making and Fashioning me right now as well! In verse 75, David writes “that in Faithfulness You have afflicted me” or instead we can use the word “corrected”, God corrects us and molds us further and further into His image for us. He sets our feet on the roads and paths we walk, and then He nudges our hearts so we will keep going in the right direction for our lives. God is performing a continual work in our lives, and again it is personalized work! It is both just for us and just for Him!

There is no one else that God is working on in quite this fashion, no one else that God has quite the same plan for! How amazing is that! And He never gives up or throws in the towel. He doesn't raise His hands in despair when we find ourselves flawed because He is already at work using that flaw to help others, to help us, and eventually He through patient work removes the flaws that we are perfected through His righteousness! Oh Lord, how awesome is it that we are the work of your hands, the beloved of the Creator of All! Oh that we too are able to pray and ask you that our hearts can be found blameless that we may not put you to shame. Thank you Lord for not giving up on us when we keep trying to go our own way and ruin and mar this work that you so love. Thank you for continuing and persisting long after we have grown tired. Thank you!

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.