I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word.
My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.
Psalm 119:25,28,32 

When I sin, the shame of it drags me down to the dust that I am made of – like Paul says to the Corinthians in 1 Cor 3:3 – You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?

But even if I sin and feel this way – the psalmist boldly asks God to preserve his life according to your word.  It is God’s decree – not our worth – that I cling to because I have no worth in myself – it all derives from Him.   Even if I am weary with the sorrow of my sin, I can say I know I can be strengthened because God has told me I am forgiven and that he will provide for all my needs.

So I can run to him, even after my sin – not because I am worthy but because despite my worth, His word says He has forgiven me.  He promised to make me whole and I can trust Him. So I do not run in the path of his commands out of fear that He will not forgive me if I don’t;  I run in this path because He has forgiven me when I wasn’t running in it even those things that I will sin against Him as I do run in the path. And this forgiveness has completely set my heart free.  I run to Him because I am free to do so and that freedom is most appealing.

Father, thank you so much for freeing me from sin based on your love rather than my worthiness.  Thank you for strengthening me.  Thank you for freeing me from the dust that makes me up and lift me to place that I can love you no matter what and no beyond a shadow of a doubt that you love me.  Glory to you, Lord.