Following the directions

I confess, it's not just men who don't read the directions... me too!  I've come to Psalm 119.  It's the longest chapter in the Bible...  It's 11 pages in my version of The Message.  It has 176 verses.  Yikes!  I've always been a little overwhelmed by this Psalm when I come to it in my quiet times.  So this time, I will do what I've learned from business.  Break it down into bite size chunks.  Perhaps the Lord is teaching me to finally slow down and listen to each word.  The Bible is one Instruction Manual I do read.  

Psalms 119:1-8

Life gets crazy at times, sometimes I just don't understand.
1 You're blessed when you stay on course,
walking steadily on the road revealed by God.

I like how it says, "doing your best."  I slip and stumble.   I can tell when I'm going off track by my feelings.  When I get anxious or short tempered, I know I need to get by myself and talk it out with God.  His Holy Spirit counsels* me and helps me find peace.
2 You're blessed when you follow his directions,
doing your best to find him.
3 That's right — you don't go off on your own;
you walk straight along the road he set.
4 You, God, prescribed the right way to live;
now you expect us to live it.

To obey God keeps me from regrets.   The times I do the right thing, always bring joy and greater faith.  The times I don't bring such sadness.  Satan likes to make me feel guilty and ugly when I sin.  Like Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden, I look for the nearest bush to hide my shame.  Jesus just wants me to acknowledge my sin, and confess, so He can cleanse me.   I memorized 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  I repeat it to myself when I just can't get past something.
5 Oh, that my steps might be steady,
keeping to the course you set;
6 Then I'd never have any regrets
in comparing my life with your counsel.
7 I thank you for speaking straight from your heart;
I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.

8 I'm going to do what you tell me to do;
don't ever walk off and leave me.
THE MESSAGE

And He promised He wouldn't in the New Testament:
Hebrews 13:5

... For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
NKJV

*John 14:26
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 
NKJV