Psalm 118:
A Commentary
by Saint Theophan the Recluse
(1815-1894)
by Saint John of Kronstadt Press, 2014
Goodreads
VERSE 3:
For they that work iniquity
have not walked in His ways.
= doing no iniquity, they have started to walk in His ways. This applies to those who did verses 1 and 2:
Constantly unwavering in mind, senses, and deeds, they walk only in God’s ways.
page 17
The person becomes totally renewed in the image of the Creator, with unyielding love, led by the Holy Spirit. They also become tools of divine Providence for others, like Seraphim of Sarov.
We have sinful desires within us. Walking in God’s ways means not obeying them.
We pray for these small sins that distract us: forgive us our debts.
PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THESE NOTES
Any reflection on these quotes?
Seeking Him with our whole heart (118:2) makes us want to find His ways and walk in them, even delight in them, when we give Him our hearts. Reciprocally, if we deliberately walk in a contrary way (working “iniquity”), we stop seeking Him. Our hearts can become cold or distant, and it gets harder to find the Way back. But nothing is impossible with God, thankfully.
Yes, good point that even small sins can weaken or distract us–good way to think about our daily prayer, and the help it brings against temptations. Blessings, Emma!
LikeLike
Indeed, habit can be both a curse and blessing. I mean, the more we try to seek Him, the easier it gets, right?
LikeLike