Bible Study Psalm 119! (All 176 verses!)

[Lost in Sin!]

We are going to be taking a look at the longest chapter in the Bible-Psalm 119!

(I will be doing all continuing posts in this series on this single thread~!)

Psalm 119 focuses on one thing, & one thing ONLY-GOD'S WORD!

We will start with verses 1-8:

1 Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,

who walk according to the law of the LORD .

2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes

and seek him with all their heart.

3 They do nothing wrong;

they walk in his ways.

4 You have laid down precepts

that are to be fully obeyed.

5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast

in obeying your decrees!

6 Then I would not be put to shame

when I consider all your commands.

7 I will praise you with an upright heart

as I learn your righteous laws.

8 I will obey your decrees;

do not utterly forsake me.

Although we , as Believers, we are no longer bound by the restrictions of the Law, (Romans 7:6-"But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.), it is absolutely VITAL that we still hold onto God's Word, because it is our pattern, the righteous manner that God wants us to live.! That truth is found in 2 Timothy 3:16-17-" 16All Scripture is Godbreathed and is useful for teaching, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."


Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD . Blameless-can we be blameless before the Lord by our own power? No. Romans 3:23 states-"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,". Only if we are walking without sin in our lives, can we be blameless before God! And how do we do that? By making sure that there is no unconfessed sin on our lives, especially when we want to study God's word!

Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. Statutes are a record of God's stated will, (The Bible!), that give guidance & instruction. Doesn't the second half of this verse remind you of Matthew 6:33? "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways. When we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, the truth of Romans 8:28 becomes even MORE true to us-"And we know that all things work together for good, to those who love God, to those who are called, according to His Purpose."

You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. Precepts are regulations of a covenant established by God. Hebrews 12:23-24 state-"You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, 24to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant,"
We, as Believers, are now under the covenant of grace, & forgiveness. But also notice, that this is a very definite command to us, as well!


Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! To be steadfast, means to be unmoving, to live our lives based on the rock that is our firm foundation-Christ Jesus! 1 Corinthians 10:4 states, "and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ."! Listen to the Psalmist-he is admitting that he too, has not always walked in the ways of the Lord, even as WE have not always walked in the Lord, even though we long to!

Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. I see Romans 9:23, saying, "As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.†Who is this rock-Christ Jesus!


I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. An upright heart, is gained through the study of God's word, because it makes us aware of the only one who has given us the ability to walk uprightly before the Father-Christ Jesus!

I will obey Your decrees; do not utterly forsake me. Because of the fact that we DO know the Lord, the Holy Spirit gives us the desire to obey everything that God has told us to do-the only thing that can stop that is our own WILL! And what happens if we Do-we DO feel many times that the Lord HAS forsaken us although we have His promise in Hebrews 13:5, " 5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.†Not to mention the promises of God, that He will never leave us or FORSAKE us, found in Matthew 28:20 & Romans 8:38-39!

Let us pray.

"Lord Jesus, we come before You & You alone in utter amazement at the truth of Your Word! We give You & You alone all the praise, that we live in a country, where Your Word is so accessible to us! Lord Jesus, we thank-you with everything that is in us, for that which Your Word has to teach us, about how YOU want us to live! We glorify Your Holy Name, Lord Jesus, that You & You alone ARE the Word of God, that existed before there was time began, that You are the Word that existed, & saved us by Your blood, that You & You alone shed for us on Calvary! We praise You & You alone, for Your written word, that it is available to us, so that we may be able to discern what Your will is for each one of us! We praise You, Lord Jesus! We praise You for who You are, Lord Jesus! We praise You, for there is no one more worthy than You & You alone, Lord Jesus! We praise You in Your Name, & Your Name alone, Lord Jesus! Amen"

Bill

 

[Lost in Sin!]

We are continuing on with Psalm 119!

We now look at verses 9-16:

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?

By living according to your word.

10 I seek you with all my heart;

do not let me stray from your commands.

11 I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you.

12 Praise be to you, O LORD ;

teach me your decrees.

13 With my lips I recount

all the laws that come from your mouth.

14 I rejoice in following your statutes

as one rejoices in great riches.

15 I meditate on your precepts

and consider your ways.

16 I delight in your decrees;

I will not neglect your word."

HOW CAN A YOUNG MAN KEEP HIS WAYS PURE? BY LIVING ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD. Here is a very good lesson as to how to keep your kids walking upright-by teaching them God's word-the earlier, the better! I see this verse, & I am reminded of another truth in Scripture-Proverbs 22:6-"Train a child in the way he should go, & when he is old, he will not turn from it." You can NEVER go wrong teaching your kids the Bible!

I WILL SEEK YOU WITH ALL MY HEART; DO NOT LET ME STRAY FROM YOUR COMMANDS. There are 2 particular verses in Scripture that tell us how not to stray from God's commands. The first of the verses I have commited to memory a long time ago-Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the kingdom of God, & all these things will be added to you". The other one is Proverbs 3:5-6-"Trust in the Lord, & lean not unto thy own understanding. In all thy ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct thy path". When we put our total, complete trust in God's leading, instead of trying to go our own way, (which I discovered usually ends in disaster!), He WILL help us follow His direction in our lives!

I HAVE HIDDEN YOUR WORD IN MY HEART, THAT I MIGHT NOT SIN AGAINST YOU. What does it mean to hide God's word in your heart? It means to READ IT, STUDY IT, SPEAK IT, & MEDITATE ON IT! That is why it is so important for all of us to get into God's word EVERYDAY-so that it becomes a part of us, so that we are inseperable from each other!

PRAISE BE TO YOU, O LORD; TEACH ME YOUR DECREES. Here is an absolutley essential ingrediant, when we are studying God's word: GIVE HIM THE PRAISE FOR IT!!!!! The Bible is the MOST IMPORTANT BOOK that you will ever own! What better person to ask for help when studying it, than the person who caused it to be written in the first place-GOD!

WITH MY LIPS, I WILL RECOUNT ALL THE LAWS THAT COME FROM YOUR MOUTH. This is refering to one thing & one thing only-witnessing! What was the COMMAND of Jesus to ALL HIS FOLLOWERS in ACTS 1:8? "But you wil receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; & you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, & to the ends of the earth." Whose power give us the ability to witness? Our own? NO! THE HOLY SPIRIT'S POWER! Witnessing involves talking! The Good news of Jesus Christ is too important to hold in-& add to the fact, that this is a DIRECT COMMAND FROM OUR LORD!!!!!! We cannot ignore it!

I REJOICE IN YOUR STATUTE, AS ONE REJOICES IN GREAT RICHES. Here is an interesting comparrison: the ETERNAL, versus the TEMPORAL! We have ALL heard the saying, "You can't take it with you!" We can't take anything physical with us when we die-but if God's word is a part of us, THAT we will take with us! (Look at verse 11 above!)

I MEDITATE ON YOUR PRECEPTS, & CONSIDER YOUR WAYS. We looked at what precepts were in our last study; they are regulations of a covenant established by the Lord-in our case, the covenant of forgiveness & grace, the NEW covenant-established by JESUS CHRIST! To consider means to meditate to ponder, to think upon, to memorize, to commit to always remembering & thinking abput. This is especially vital to more effective witnessing! The more Scripture that we know, the more the Holy Spirit will be able to use when we ARE witnessing!

I WILL DELIGHT IN YOUR DECREES; I WILL NOT NEGLECT YOUR WORD. What can be another word for delight? JOY! Look at John 15:11-"(Jesus Speaking), I have told you this, so that my joy will be in you & that your joy will be complete." *WOW!* Because Jesus said that because we are Believers, we can have HIS JOY! The JOY that the Father feels when a sinner comes back to the Family of God! Look at Luke 15:7-"(Jesus Speaking), I tell you in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in Heaven, over one sinner that repents, than for 99 righteous persons, who do not need to repent." (Also see Verse 10!) (I don't think that there is enough space for me to list all the other references to JOY in this post! Look in a concordance under the word Joy!) Each of these instances are the EXACT same kind of JOY that we, as Believers can know! And how does this section end? With a command & a prayer! A prayer o delight in God's word, & a command that we will never neglect God's word! Let this be the prayer of every person who calls themselves a CHRISTIAN!

Let us pray. "Heavenly Father, we glorify Your Holy Name for the gift of the living Word-Our Lord & Savior, Christ Jesus! We praise Your holy name for Your witten Word, the Bible! We honor You & You alone for all that we are, for these two resources that we can draw upon in order to follow Your directions! We praise You for the gift of Your Son, that we may bear Jesus in each one of our hearts, by the power of the Holy Spirit! We praise You that we can bear Your written word in our hearts as well, by never failing to study it, meditate on it, & to memorize it, & that it would become as inseperable to us as an arm, or a leg! That we would turn to Your Word, as the ONLY guide for knowing what You expect from each one of us, as we walk in Your Ways, Lord Jesus! We obey ONLY Your Word, Heavenly Father, for there is no other source that we can use to follow, that will guide us in the ways that You want us to go! We thank You for the Living Word, Your Son, Christ Jesus, who offered Himself a living sacrifice for our sins, that we would be able to walk in Your ways! We give You & You alone all thanksgiving that we can have a personal relationship with the one who created the entire universe, & with the one, who still cares about our EVERY concern! We praise You, Heavenly Father! We praise You, Holy Spirit, & we give all honor & glory to the ONE & ONLY ONE, who made our TRUE JOY in You possible, our Lord & Savior, Christ Jesus! For it is in Jesus' Name that we pray! Amen!"

Bill

 

[Lost in Sin!]

Continuing on with Psalm 119!

Now we look at verses 17-24:

17 Do good to your servant, and I will live;

I will obey your word.

18 Open my eyes that I may see

wonderful things in your law.

19 I am a stranger on earth;

do not hide your commands from me.

20 My soul is consumed with longing

for your laws at all times.

21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed

and who stray from your commands.

22 Remove from me scorn and contempt,

for I keep your statutes.

23 Though rulers sit together and slander me,

your servant will meditate on your decrees.

24 Your statutes are my delight;

they are my counselors.

DO GOOD TO YOUR SERVANT, & I WILL LIVE. I WILL OBEY YOUR WORD. Here we see two aspects of a relationship with God.
1. A request. That God would grant all good things to us, indicating that God IS the source of everything that we need!
2. Acknowledging that it is totally by the greatness of God that we DO live. God created man, & here, the psalmist seems to be indicating where all life comes from. Genesis 1:26-27. Also the psalmist knows who he is talking to, & makes an afirmation that he WILL study & obey God's word, as we all should, when we consider who we are dealing with here!

OPEN MY EYES, THAT I MAY SEE WONDERFUL THINGS IN YOUR LAW. Open my eyes, that I may see-we see the blind man that was healed by Jesus approach him, not knowing it WAS Jesus who healed him asking, "Who is he. sir', the man asked, "that I may believe in him?" Jesus said, "You have seen him now. In fact, he is the one speaking to you." Than the man said, "Lord, I believe." (John 9:36-38}. We too, when God opens our spiritual eyes, are driven to worship the one who the Word talks about-Christ Jesus! Can't get more wonderful than that! Also, as , we see the truths in the Bible, they truely ARE wondeful, because they mean so much to us in regard to our daily living!

I AM A STRANGER ON EARTH,; DO NOT HIDE YOUR COMMANDS FROM ME. We are mere travelers on this planet-our real home is in Heaven! , for those of us who have been born again! Jesus says in John15:19, "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." We are here only for a short time-a much better place awaits us! (John 14:2-3) Once again, we see how much we need God's Word, as we cry out for understanding of God's laws!


MY SOUL IS CONSUMED WITH LONGING FOR YOUR LAWS AT ALL TIMES. *WOW* Would that we all would have that kind of desire for God's word! When we have God's word hidden in our heart, we can always access it, for almost any situation, AT ANY TIME!

YOU REBUKE THE ARROGANT, WHO ARE CURSED, & WHO STRAY FROM YOUR COMMANDS. The "Mr. know-it-alls", really DON'T know it all, when it comes to God's word! Also look at Proverbs16:18! It is no wonder that they will walk away from God's commands-because they think that they are above them!

REMOVE ME FROM SCORN & COMTEMPT, FOR I KEEP YOUR STATUTES. Look at what the psalmist says about this in Matthew 5:11-12, "“Blessed are you when people persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Jesus says that we are blessed, for living the Christian life! THIS is what happens when we obey God's word-WE ARE BLESSED! God said it, I believe it, & that settles it for me!

THOUGH RULERS SIT TOGETHER & SLANDER ME, YOUR SERVANT WILL MEDITATE ON YOUR DECREES. Do I hear Psalm 2:1-2 HERE? "Why do the nations conspire, the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand, & the rulers gather against the Lord, & against His annointed one."

Lok at Psalm 1:2-3, & see what awaits a man who meditates on God's word! THIS is really something to look foreward to!

YOUR STATUTES ARE MY DELIGHT. Again, look at how much joy we can get by the study of God's word! (Psalm 1:2-3)


THEY ARE MY COUNSELORS. We have the Counselor living right inside of us-the Holy Spirit! (Acts 1:4-5) What better instructor to teach us God's ways! All Glory, Praise & Honor to our Wonderful Lord!

Let us pray.

"Heavenly Father, we praise You & You alone for the wonderful teaching that You are doing through this Psalm! We praise You for the Living Word-Your Son & our Savior, Christ Jesus! We adore You & You alone for the gift of the Holy Sprit, that we may have a teacher to teach us to walk in Your ways! We glorify You, Three-In-One! We praise You & You alone, that you would count us worthy enough to have the true revelation of who You are,revealed to each one of us who have received you as Lord & Savior who have been Born-Again! We give You our highest worship for Your Word, Lord Jesus-for it's truth, guidance, wisdom, & more things about it than we can name! We praise You, Holy Spirit, that You show us the intracate truths of the Bible! We give You You all the praise, tyhat Youb have chosen us, Heavenly Father, that we may know You more intamately, through Your marvelous Word! Create a desire to study & learn beyond anything that we currently have, Lord Jesus, to study & absorb Your Word! We give You & You alone all the Glory, Honor, & praise for who You are, Lord Jesus! For it is in Your Name & Your name alone we pray! Amen!! Hallelujah!"

Bill :D

 

[Lost in Sin!]

Continuing on with Psalm 119!

Now we look at verses 25-32:

" 25 I am laid low in the dust;

preserve my life according to your word.

26 I recounted my ways and you answered me;

teach me your decrees.

27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts;
then I will meditate on your wonders.

28 My soul is weary with sorrow;

strengthen me according to your word.

29 Keep me from deceitful ways;

be gracious to me through your law.

30 I have chosen the way of truth;

I have set my heart on your laws.

31 I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD ;

do not let me be put to shame.

32 I run in the path of your commands,

for you have set my heart free.

I AM LAID LOW IN THE DUST. Here is an honest look at how humans are before a Almighty God! He is the Creator of the Universe! How can ANYONE stand before Him?!! I am reminded of another Psalm-Psalm 8:3-4-"When I consider Your heavens, the moon & the stars, which You have ordained; WHAT IS MAN, THAT YOU TAKE THOUGHT OF HIM? Here is how we compare to an Almighty God! Also notice the word "dust" Remember Genesis 3:19? ".....FOR YOU ARE DUST, & TO DUST YOU SHALL RETURN."

PRESERVE MY LIFE, ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD. Again, we are reminded of the sheer majesty of God! We echo the words of the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 6:5-""Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."

I recounted my ways and you answered me; This is speaking of confession, being copmpleatly honest before God. And for us, when we confess our sins to God-HE ANSWERS US! II Chronicles 7:14 says, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."


Let me understand the teaching of your precepts, then I will meditate on your wonders. Precepts are God's directions, as established by the Lord, (In this case, the teachings of Jesus, since we are under the New Covenant!). In regard to understanding what God wants to teach us, & what God wants is to know-James 1:5 says," If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." In regard to meditation, there are several possibilities:
1. Take time to read a verse or passage over & over.
2. Take time to memorize part or all of it-Psalm 119:11
3. Listen!!!!-Psalm 40:1, 46:10
4. Consider how what you are reading fits into the context of the rest of the Bible.
5. Become emotionaly involved with what you are reading!
6. Apply what you have read to your particular situation, in life, or in general! Recognize the truth & power of God's word!

MY SOUL IS CRUSHED WITH LONGING AFTER YOUR ORDINANCES AT ALL TIME. I have chosen to use this verse out of the NASB, because I feel it shows much better, how much we should seek the knowledge of God-with longing, with the greatest desire! Psalm 42:1 says, " As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God." This is how our desire for both the Lord & His Word should be!

REMOVE THE FALSE WAY FROM ME; & GRACIOUSLY GRANT ME YOUR LAW Again, I choose to use the NASB here. Look at the lesson the prophet Isaiah learned about God in Isaiah 58:11-" The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." I am also seeing Psalm 23:2 & Luke 11:9-10 here as well! "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. What is the truth for us who know Jesus Christ as our Lord & Savior, who have been Born Again? John 14:6-"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." When we choose Jesus, are His laws really so hard to follow?

I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD ; do not let me be put to shame. I see two verses here. Matthew 5:11-12, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." I also see Phillipians 4:8-9, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice."

I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. John 8:36-"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Can I say more, than what is said in this last verse? I think not! This verse sums up the whole joy that we find in both Christ Jesus & His Word! All Glory, Praise & Honor to our Wonderful Lord!

Let us pray.

"Lord Jesus, You & You alone are the God above ALL gods! You are the Lord above ALL lords! You, & You alone are worthy of all Praise, Honor & Glory, Lord Jesus! We sing Your Name from the highest mountaintops, Lord Jesus! We sing to the Lord God almighty, Maker of Heaven & Earth! All Glory, & Praise, & Thanksgiving do we give to You & You alone, Lord Jesus, for all that You mean to us! We give You all thanksgiving for what Your wonderful Word has taught us today, Lord Jesus! We praise Your Name forever & ever, Lord Jesus, for You & You alone are worthy! We give thanks for all that You have given us! We praise You alone, Lord Jesus! We bless You! We glorify You Holy Name, forever & ever! In Your Name & Your Name alone, do we offer everything that we are to You & You alone, Lord Jesus! Amen!!!!"

Bill

 

[Lost in Sin!]

More thoughts from Psalm 119!

Now we look verses 33-40
(Notice how this entire section is asking God for His help! Each verse starts with a different request!)


" 33 Teach me, O LORD , to follow your decrees;

then I will keep them to the end.

34 Give me understanding, and I will keep your law

and obey it with all my heart.

35 Direct me in the path of your commands,

for there I find delight.

36 Turn my heart toward your statutes

and not toward selfish gain.

37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;

preserve my life according to your word. [a]

38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,

so that you may be feared.

39 Take away the disgrace I dread,

for your laws are good.

40 How I long for your precepts!

Preserve my life in your righteousness."


TEACH ME, O LORD, TO FOLLOW YOUR DECREES; THAT I MAY KEEP THEM TO THE END. As I said above, this whole section is turning to the very, (& only!), One that we CAN turn to for EVERY decision in our lives-GOD! Note too, that the tone of this section, almost turns intoa pleading, a longing, a passionate desire! Teach me, O Lord. We recognize Christ Jesus as the ultimate Teacher, for being able to understand what God's will is for each of our lives. How many times in the NT, was Jesus reffered to as Teacher? People recognized that Jesus spoke the word of God-that is why so many flocked to hear what He had to say! I am reminded of a verse in Matthew 18:3-4, where it says: " And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." There is also Matthew 23:12-"For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Humbling ourselves before God-becoming as little children before God-THIS this is how we should ALWAYS come before God, realizing our inadequicies, recognizing that we are totally helpless without His direction, realizing that Jesus is the ONLY path to the understanding of God! That I will keep them to the very end. I remember a story that I heard on the radio about the death of Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ. Right up to the moment of death, he was still doing the will of God, giving last minute instructions to his staff! This was a man of TRUE dedication to God! He is an example of how WE should serve God-right up to the minute of our death-This is the kind of dedication that God wants from each one of us!

GIVE ME UNDERSTANDING, & I WILL KEEP YOUR LAW, & OBEY IT WITH ALL MY HEART. Understanding-when we consider how compleatly & awesome God REALLY is-BOY, OH BOY, DO WE NEED UNDERSTANDING!!! (Psalm 8:3-4) God WILL give us understanding, but we have to ASK for it first-What does Luke 11:9-10 say? "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Why is it that so many of us feel that we don't understand the will of God, or His Word? James 4:3-"When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." If we TRULY want understanding, we must seek it ONLY for what God WANTS us to use it for, NOT for what WE want to use it for! But when we DO have the understanding of God, we find it so much easier TO keep God's law! And how do we keep God's law with all our heart? Psalms 37:4-" Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."

DIRECT ME IN THE PATH OF YOUR COMMANDS, FOR THERE I FIND DELIGHT. God's direction. If we try to understand God's word, WITHOUT the direction of the Holy Spirit, we WILL get lost, because God is beyond our
COMPREHENSION! What do we read in Matthew 7:14? " But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Where do we find TRUE delight? (Psalm 37:4)


TURN MY HEART TOWARD YOUR STATUTES, & NOT FOR SELFISH GAIN. Remember what we read above in James 4:3? We must always be sure that when we seek God's direction, & leading in our lives, then HE MUST be first in our minds & thoughts-not our OWN desires!

TURN AWAY MY EYES FROM WORTHLESS THINGS, PRESERVE MY LIFE ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD. Everything in this world is only temporal-it will not last! Isaiah 40:8 says: "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." EVERYTHING THAT HAS EVER BEEN CREATED, OR WILL BE CREATED, EVENTUALLY WILL TURN TO DUST! YET, FOR ALL ALL THESE CENTURIES, THE WORD OF GOD HAS REMAINED! THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANYTHING PUBLISHED, THAT HAS ENDURED FOR ALL THESE MILLIENIA, EXCEPT THE WORD OF GOD! Glory to God!!!!! Now, look at the second half of this verse. The writer fully realizes that it is only by God's will, that he even exists at all! He realizes the truth of Genesis 3:19-"By the sweat of your brow, you will eat your food until you return to the ground since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."

ESTABLISH YOUR WORD TO YOUR SERVANT, AS THAT WHICH PRODUCES REVERENCE FOR YOU. I decided to use the NASB for this verse, because of how it clearly states how much, & how important God's word should be to each one of us! Psalms 1:2 states-"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, he meditates on it day & night." Note the words DAY & NIGHT. If the psalmist meditated on God's word day & night, would it be so hard for each of us to take an hour or two out of our day, to study God's word? I keep reffering back to that one verse in Psalm 8:4, where it says, "What is man, that You take thought of him......." By meditating on God's word, we DO develop all the reverence for God that He so richly deserves, simply because He IS God!

TAKE AWAY ALL THE DISGRACE THAT I DREAD, FOR FOR YOUR LAWS ARE GOOD. Here we find the most essential truth in the entire Bible-that we are SINFUL We are very aware that we are not worthy to stand before a holy & righteous God! Look again at Psalm 8:3-4! We realize the truth of God's word, & how it shows us that we don't deserve God's salvation that we have chosen. Hebrews 2:3 states, "...how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation?" But we also see here, that the truth of God's word as well-Psalms 119:103, "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!"

HOW I LONG FOR YOUR PRECEPTS! PRESERVE MY LIFE IN YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Again, I ask the question of ALL of us, (& you had better believe that I include myself here!)-do we REALLY have this klind of passion for our Lord & Savior, Christ Jesus, & His Word? Do we REALLY take into account the truth of Psalms 8:3-4? Do we REALLY realize just how great & powerful the Lord we serve REALLY IS?

Let us pray.

"Heavenly Father, we come before You & You alone today, worshipping how great & marvelous You & You alone TRULY are! We come singing Your praises for the truth that Your written word has for us! We give You & You alone all the glory for the Living Word, Your Son, Chrst Jesus, that He died on the cross for each of our sins, that we may have fellowship with You! Yet, we also come before You & You alone, confessing that we have been way too lax in the study of Your Word, Heavenly Father! As much as Your Word is honey to our tounge, it is also convicting to our hearts as well! Lord, we too often forget the importance of the truth of what Your Word DOES have to say to each one of us! Of how it convicts us of our sin! Of how it convicts us that we still NEED to know so much more about You, O Lord! Of how much You DO love us! Lord Jesus, we confess our lack of time that we spend just listening to You, Lord Jesus! We ask forgivness, for our ignoring You, Lord Jesus, for we know that You NEVER ignore us! Lord Jesus, Forgive us! Bring us to a new conviction to read Your Word everyday! To set aside a special time that we can come before You, & You alone in praise & prayer! For You & You alone are SO WORTHY of praise, Lord Jesus! We DO praise You for our salvation, Lord Jesus! We DO praise You for Your Witten Word, Lord Jesus! We DO praise You, that You loved us so much, that You & You alone would die for each one of us, that we may live in You, Lord Jesus! We come before You & You alone, Lord Jesus, in complete humbleness, acknowledging that You & You alone are OUR GOD! That You & You alone are OUR SAVIOR! That You & You alone are the Lord of our lives! We do all this, in Your Name, Lord Jesus, for it is in Your Name & Your Name alone that we pray. Amen!"

Bill

 

[Kasey]

How about you just answer one question for me, oh pretty please?

"What good thing shall I do to have eternal life?"

If you dont answer the way Christ did to the Rich Young Man in Matthew 19:16-17, which is "if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments'', then your a liar.

You, who said in your opening post that we are not bound by any Laws, are a liar. If you want to know how I can justifiably call "you" a liar, then please, by all means, I dare you, to read my essay on "Keeping God's Law - Mandatory" in the Apologetics forum.

Read it carefully, it destroys your erroneous belief that you dont have to keep God's commandments, statutes and judgments. Read it carefully, it explains the difference between God's commandments, statutes and judgments and the Levitical Priesthood. Read it carefully.

 

[Julian Pyke]

Kasey, people have read your posts. Maybe they would be more willing to listen if you speak in love and not hate. For instance, without even giving him a chance to reply you are already calling him a liar, perhaps just say "in my opnion it is not true BECAUSE its ays this:"

Now, second, stop saying the same hting over and over, keep your topic to its topic, don't try and fight with others.

Thankyou!

 

[Kasey]

Kasey, people have read your posts. Maybe they would be more willing to listen if you speak in love and not hate. For instance, without even giving him a chance to reply you are already calling him a liar, perhaps just say "in my opnion it is not true BECAUSE its ays this:"

Now, second, stop saying the same hting over and over, keep your topic to its topic, don't try and fight with others.

Thankyou!

Yeah, they read it and cant prove it wrong, but they still say something contrary to the truth of scripture, just like you, Julian.

Speak in "love"? Romans 13:10 is the definition of "love". Iti s the fulfilling of the Law, God's Law. Couple this with Isaiah 8:20 and you have the entire BIble. Therefore, I show people "love" by treating them according to the Bible and because of that, I have every right to show people the way it really is, whethor they like it or not.

You think that Christ was showing "love" as you see it as when He WHIPPED the money-changers out of the temple? I think not.

He is a liar. Whether he knows it or not, he still is one. I will NOT say its my opinion when its the truth. Im not fighting with others, I am witnessing the truth of the Bible. If you dont like it, thats too bad. I will say it to ALL people who promote sin, including YOU, Julian.

 

[Lost in Sin!]

Have I been missing something here?

What is going on?

Bill :-?

 

[Lost in Sin!]

Still Continuing with Psalm 119.

Now we will look at verses 41-48:

" 41 May your unfailing love come to me, O LORD ,

your salvation according to your promise;

42 then I will answer the one who taunts me,

for I trust in your word.

43 Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth,

for I have put my hope in your laws.

44 I will always obey your law,

for ever and ever.

45 I will walk about in freedom,

for I have sought out your precepts.

46 I will speak of your statutes before kings

and will not be put to shame,

47 for I delight in your commands

because I love them.

48 I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love,

and I meditate on your decrees.

MAY YOUR UNFAILING LOVE COME TO ME O, LORD. Acts 2:21, "whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." When we call upon the name of Jesus, He will come to us, through the power of the Holy Spirit. That is the fufillment of this verse!

YOUR SALVATION, ACCORDING TO YOUR PROMISE. Another fufillment of this verse-John 3:16: "For God so loved the world,, that He gave His only begotten Son,; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." That's the greatest promise in the entire Bible, my brothers & sisters. Every other promise in the Bible, including this one, is fufilled in John 3:16!

THEN I WILL ANSWER THE ONE WHO TAUNTS ME, FOR I TRUST IN YOUR WORD. Many times we are never sure of what to say to a person who ridicules our belief. Yet look at the promise that God gave to Moses, back in Exodus 4:11-12, "The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." That very same Lord, that said that to Moses, will give us the words we need, if we but ask Him!

DO NOT SNATCH THE WORD OF TRUTH FROM MY MOUTH, FOR I HAVE PUT MY HOPE IN YOUR LAWS. God is NOT going to snatch His word from our mouth! I rather think that this verse is more referring to the fact that we must be walking right with the Lord, before He will give us the right words! As for putting my hope in Your laws, Jesus Christ is the Fufillment of the Law! Jesus Himself said in John 14:6-"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

I WILL ALWAYS OBEY YOUR LAWS, FOR EVER & EVER. Look at Isaiah 40:8, " The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." Only God's Word has remained throughoutb the millenia! And it's message is still the same! What other book, or set of laws can make that claim!

I WILL WALK ABOUT IN FREEDOM, FOR I HAVE SOUGHT OUT YOUR PRECEPTS. What did Jesus say in John 8:36? "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." What does Jesus say in John 8:32? "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.†And WHO is the truth? John 14:6-"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Jesus & HIM ALONE IS the only truth! 1 Timothy 2:5-"For there is One God, & One man, & one mediator between God & man, the man, Jesus Christ."

I WILL SPEAK OF YOUR STATUTES BEFORE KINGS, & WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME. Look at the Apostles, after the day of Pentecost! Acts 4:13-"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus." JESUS CHRIST LIVES IN EACH ONE OF US WHO HAVE BEEN BORN AGAIN, MY BELOVED BROTHERS & SISTERS! If the man who denied Christ three times could speak so boldly, if the man who ran away with fear from his Lord, when Jesus was arrested, could speak so boldly-CAN WE DO ANY LESS? We don't have to be Bible scholars! All that we have to have is a passion to see souls won to Christ! The Holy Spirit will do the rest!

FOR I DELIGHT IN YOUR COMMANDS, BECAUSE I LOVE THEM. Psalm 37:4 says-" Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." How much do we REALLY love the Lord, my brothers & sisters? Untill we can love Him, as much as He loved us-John 3:16-we can never love Him, or His commands enough!

I LIFT UP MY HANDS TO YOUR COMMANDS, WHICH I LOVE, & I MEDITATE ON YOUR DECREES. TThis is a direct call to all of us who know Christ Jesus as our Lord & Savior; for all of us who have been Born Again-to worship our loving Lord & savior, Christ Jesus! Let us ALL lift up hands that have been made holy by the Blood of Christ & sing the praise that we find in Revelation 5:12-13-"WORTHY IS THE LAMB WHO WAS SLAIN, TO RECEIVE POWER & WEALTH & WISDOM & STRENGTH & HONOR & GLORY & PRAISE!...TO HIM WHO SITS ON THE THRONE & TO THE LAMB, BE PRAISE & HONOR & GLORY & POWER, FOREVER & EVER!


Bill

 

[Lost in Sin!]

We roll on with Psalms 119!

Now we look at verses 49-56:

"49 Remember your word to your servant,

for you have given me hope.

50 My comfort in my suffering is this:

Your promise preserves my life.

51 The arrogant mock me without restraint,

but I do not turn from your law.

52 I remember your ancient laws, O LORD ,

and I find comfort in them.

53 Indignation grips me because of the wicked,

who have forsaken your law.

54 Your decrees are the theme of my song

wherever I lodge.

55 In the night I remember your name, O LORD ,

and I will keep your law.

56 This has been my practice:

I obey your precepts.

REMEMBER YOUR WORD TO YOUR SERVANT, FOR YOU HAVE GIVEN ME HOPE. We see & acknowledge our posistion to the Almighty God-he is our master, & we are His servants. This posistion is essential to remember in our daily walk with Christ. Psalms 8:3-4 states: "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" What is our true hope? It is found in Colossians 1:27-".....which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Christ Jesus, living inside all those who are Born Again-THIS is our hope-that one day we too, will be with Him in HIS glory in Heaven!

MY COMFORT IN MY SUFFERING IS THIS: YOUR PROMISE PRESERVES MY LIFE. For the best example of how to deal with suffering, we should look at the life of the, (or certainly ONE of the), greatest Apostles of all time-Paul. We have often heard of Paul having a "thorn in the flesh". We don't know for sure if this was a physical illness, or what. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, we read, "And he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness". When we admit that we are weak, & feel that we can't go on, we must always remember this verse. While God certainly CAN use the mighty man, how much more can He use us who are weak! Look at the results that came about with the healing of the crippled man outside the temple in Acts 3:9-10! " When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him." Then we truly see how God uses the weak & suffering in Acts 3:16-"By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see." Note the words, THROUGH HIM. Does this remind you of Phillipians 4:13? "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." This is the comfort that Christ gives us! And as to preserving our lives-Look at Psalm 23!

THE ARROGANT MOCK ME WITHOUT RESTRAINT, BUT I WILL NOT TURN FROM YOUR LAW. Look at the last hours of our Savior in Matthew 27:29-"and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!†they said." I will not turn from Your law. Look at what God's word is to those who truly seek & follow His ways. Psalm 19:7-"The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Then there is Psalm 40:8-"I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." It is by constant reading of God's word, the Bible, of commiting it to memory. that we will not turn from God's law. Psalm 119:11 says, (& I will go back to this verse many times throughout this study!), "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

I WILL REMEMBER YOUR ANCIENT LAWS O LORD, & I WILL FIND COMFORT IN THEM. God's laws were niot just set down to give directions, but also to give God's people reason to find joy in following the Lord! When we commit God's Word to memory, it DOES bring us great joy! Also check out Psalm 19:7, 40:8, 119:11.

INDIGNATION GRIPS ME BECAUSE OF THE WICKED, WHO HAVE FORSAKEN YOUR LAW. What is the consequence of disregard for God's word? Psalm 2:1, 4 say: "Why are the nations in an uproar, & people devising a vain thing?.....He who sits in heaven laughs, the Lord scoffs at them." The Lord looks at people who are trying to fight against Him & LAUGHS AT THEM! It is foolhardy to try to do anything against God's will. because the only thing that will happen, is that WE will be the ones looking like fools! Look at Pslam 53:1-3-"The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Everyone has turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one." We must ask ourselves one question here: Are we going to be the fool who SAYS there is no God, when trouble comes our way? Do we want to be corrupt, by turning away from God's will? Or do we want to follow God's will, & enjoy all the blessings that God has in store for those who do? 1 Corinthians 2:9 states: "Things which eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, & which have not entered the heart of man, all that God had prepared for thiose who love Him." This is the PROMISE that God gives to each of us who choose to follow Him. This is the truth that is in God's word, the Bible, for each of us who have been Born Again, & know Jesus as Lord & Savior!

YOUR DECREES ARE THE THEME OF MY SONG WHEREVER I LODGE. I love the way that this is worded, don't you? The theme of my song-what a beautiful image of us singing our praises to our Lord! Note the ABSOLUTE truth of the words, "wherever I lodge". This is the truth, that we as Believers, can "take to the bank , in regard to our relationship with our Lord! It is absolute truth that Jesus will be with us wherever we are! Look at Romans 8:38-39! "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Also look at the truth, that God's word itself can be with is wherever we go! How? We looked at it earlier-Psalm 119:11-"I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." When we commit God's word to memory, it is the ONE THING that NOBODY & NOTHING CAN EVER TAKE AWAY FROM US!

IN THE NIGHT I WILL REMEMBER YOUR NAME, O LORD, & I WILL KEEP YOUR LAW. The Name of the Lord. That ALL POWERFUL NAME that is talked about in Phillipians 2:9-11-"For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, & bestowed on Him the Name which is above every name, so that at the Name of Jesus, every knee will bow , of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tounge will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father!" (Underline mine! Bill) I can't begin to tell you all, my Brothers & Sisters, how exicited that makes me, & I hope it does you as well!

THIS HAS BEEN MY PRACTICE; I OBEY YOUR PRECEPTS. This is the whole essence of what the Christian life is truly about! The reading & studying of God's word, witnessing & prayer, living the TRUE Christian life by exhibiting the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, as we read about in Galatians 5:22: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol. Against such things there is no law." Matthew 7:20 states: "Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." This is the best witness that we can show the world that we DO belong to Christ Jesus!

Let us pray,

"Heavenly Father, we give you all our praise for what Your Word has been teaching us in this series! We give You praise for the truth of Your written Word, that we may have the guidebook for every aspect of our lives! That whatever we have need of, it CAN be found in Your Word! And most of all: We thank-you for the Living Word, our Lord & Savior, Christ Jesus! Because it was by His dying on the cross for our sins, & the gift of Your Holy Spirit, that we CAN learn! We give You & You alone all the glory that You Love us, Lord Jesus! We sing our songs of thanksgiving to You alone, for the relatonship that we can have with You, because You loved us enough to die for us, that we may live in You! We praise Your Name, Lord Jesus, that You live inside each one of us who know You, by the power of Your Holy Spirit! We praise You, Holy Spirit, for the conviction of sin, & for the knowledge that You reveal to us through the Bible! We praise You, Three-In-One! We are Yours, now & forever! In the Name of the only one by whom we CAN be saved, our Lord & Savior, Christ Jesus, do we pray! Amen"

Bill

 

[Restin]

God, be merciful to....

• Romans 3:3-4
  3 What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? 4 May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, ....
  
  Luke 18:13-14
  13 "But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' 14 "I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."
  
  NASU w/emphasis supplied

My Prayer --
Yea, let God be TRUE -- as stated in Ro 3:4 !
May God, be merciful to me, as stated in Luke 18:13-14!

......Restin
edit for scripture clarification

 

[Lost in Sin!]

Restin, Julian & Kasey:

Does anything that you're posting on this thread have anything to do with what's in this study?

If not, would you please take your discussions elsewhere. I would very much like to keep this thread ON TOPIC!

It is very disturbing to others who DO have an intrest in this study. When I initially did this study, I was "mind-blown", by what God was revealing to me, (let alone being ABLE to do this entire Psalm!) I DON'T MIND ANYONE COMMENTING on this topic, BUT COULD WE PLEASE keep it on topic!

Thanx!

God Bless!

Bill :D

 

[Restin]

Psalms 119

Restin, ....
Does anything that you're posting on this thread have anything to do with what's in this study?

Apologize -- will back up and fill a few gaps.

Psalms 119 uses the words "I", "MY", and "Me" again and again.

7 I will praise you with an upright heart

as I learn your righteous laws.

8 I will obey your decrees;

do not utterly forsake me.

22 Remove from me scorn and contempt,

for I keep your statutes.

" 33 Teach me, O LORD , to follow your decrees;

then I will keep them to the end. (emphasis supplied/R)

David, in his earlier expeirence used similar language --

• 
  Ps 18: 20 "The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness;
  [Ahhhh -- something the flesh can boast about]
  According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me.
  [again -- something the flesh can boast about]
  21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly
  departed from my God.
  [This boasting, though ignorant is overlooked in the immature christian.]

In the later experience of David, advanced maturity shows up--

• 
  Ps 38:3 There is no health in my bones because of my sin.
  6 I go mourning all day long
  14 Yes, I am like a man who does not hear;
  And in whose mouth are no arguments.
  17 For I am ready to fall,
  And my sorrow is continually before me."
  [No boasting here!]
  
  2 Cor 11:30
  30 If I have to boast,
  I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.
  
  NASU, w/emphasis supplied

God is telling me that my boasting in what "I can do" or what "I am"
-- even with the help of God, is short of boasting in "my weakness".
In and through the experiences of David (Ps 38), Isaiah (Isa 6:5),
Paul (1 Tim 1:15) who speak of their own weakness/sinfulness in
one way or another, so is the experience of advanced maturity.

As seen in David, God gives me to believe that advanced maturity will
follow the experiences of those in Psalms 119.

Isa 64:8
8 But now, O LORD, You are our Father,
We are the clay, and You our potter;
And all of us are the work of Your hand.
NASU, w/emphasis supplied

God Bless,
.......Restin

 

[Lost in Sin!]

Back to our study on Psalm 119!

Now we look at verses 57-64:

57 You are my portion, O LORD;
I have promised to obey your words.

58 I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.

59 I have considered my ways
and have turned my steps to your statutes.

60 I will hasten and not delay
to obey your commands.

61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
I will not forget your law.

62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks
for your righteous laws.

63 I am a friend to all who fear you,
to all who follow your precepts.

64 The earth is filled with your love, O LORD;
teach me your decrees."

You are my portion, O LORD; I have promised to obey your words. Notice the word "portion" here. It doesn't say everything-just what is needed. Look at Exodus 16:21-"Each morning everyone gathered as much as he needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away." It doesn't say they gathered as much as they wanted, but needed! Just enough to supply their daily needs. Being a mere mortal, the psalmist realizes that he couldn't handle everything that God had for him at one time, so we see him asking for just enough for his immediate needs.

The second half of this verse is very convicting to all of us. How many times have we promised God that we would obey His words, & didn't? Yet, we have the promise of 2 Timothy 2:13 to cling to when we screw-up-"if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself." God remains faithful to us-faithful in His promise of forgivness, faithful in His promise of reconciliation,, faithful in His promise of restoration!

I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. Have we really thought out what it means to seek out the face of God? Do we realize what the psalmist is asking here? Let's look at some examples from the OT, that show what happens to a person, when they see the face of God:

1. Jacob-(Genesis 32:30)-"So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared."

2. Job-(Job 33:26)-"He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God's face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state."

3. The Psalmist-(Psalm 143:7)-"Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit."

Yet, as great as the desire to see God's face is, we hear God himself stating the truth that cannot be denied-"But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." (Exodus 33:20) This is due to the fact that God is Holy, & as the pitiful humans that we are, we could not live, in the Holiness that He is!

The secomd half of this verse is referring to the promises that were contained in the Law. For us Believers, these promises are those that we find in God's word-the Bible. The Bible is that which reminds us of all of God's promises, & that special hope of the promise of spending an eternity with our Lord & Savior, Christ Jesus!

I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. Now we see the psalmist making a conscious choice
here-choosing not to follow his own ways, but choosing to follow God's ways instead. It is no different with us today. We are given the same choice as the Psalmist here-to choose to do our own thing, or choose to follow the ways of God! God doesn't force us to follow His ways-We Choose to follow Him.

I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands. Notice the urgency here!

As Believers, we too shouldfeel the urging to follow God's commands! The sooner we follow God's commands, the sooner He can bestow His blessing upon us for following what He wanted us to do!

Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law. Here, we read about steadfastness! That no matter what the circumstance might be, we can say confidently with Paul-"That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day."

At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws. This verse is showing that no matter what the time might be, ANY TIME is a good time to praise the Lord, for all that He is, & what He has done for us!

I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts. In this verse, we see the common bond that ties all thos who know Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior, together! The fact that ALL OF US are equal at the foot off the Cross-for it is there, that we are washed in the blood that cleanses us from all sin!

1. Acts 4:32-"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had."

2. I Corinthians 12:12-13-"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one bodyâ€â€whether Jews or Greeks, slave or freeâ€â€and we were all given the one Spirit to drink."

3. Galatians 3:28-"There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

The earth is filled with your love, O LORD; teach me your decrees." I love this verse! It is especially true today, with all the resources of the WEB! Virtually all the world can see & hear the good News of the gospel of Christ Jesus, & know the love that He has for each one of us! Glory to God!

Let us pray. "Heavenly Father, we give You & You alone, all the praise, glory & Honor, for the fact that You have chosen us to be your children, through the awesome sacrifice of Your Son, Christ Jesus! We give you all the praise, Lord Jesus, for dying for us, so that we may live-not just with You, but you in us! We Give You all praise for for Your revealing of the truths that are found in the Bible, Holy Spirit! We thank-you for the common bond that ties all who know you as Lord & Savior! We thank you, Three-In-One, for who you are-that You love us NO MATTER WHAT! We have so far to go, but by Your strength alone, Lord Jesus, we truly CAN accomplish all that You have for us! For we will serve NO ONE ELSE, but You, Lord Jesus, for no one can truly show us the true meaning of life eternal that Is in You & You alone! We thank-you & ask all this in your most Holy Name, Lord Jesus! Amen!

Bill

 

[Lost in Sin!]

Now we look at verses 65-72:

" 65 Do good to your servant
according to your word, O LORD.

66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I believe in your commands.

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey your word.

68 You are good, and what you do is good;
teach me your decrees.

69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
I keep your precepts with all my heart.

70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
but I delight in your law.

71 It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees.

72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

Do good to your servant according to your word, O LORD. This is acknowledgement of how God is good to those who are faithful who trust in Him & His word. Look at Psalm 19:7-"The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple." When we keep God's word, we are restored in our spirit, so that we may study His word even more!

Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands. This whole portion of Psalm 119, is asking to reveal His word to the psalmist, (& to us as well). James 1:5 says-"f any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." Any of us who have ever tried to study God's word, will admit that there have been passages that they simply haven't been able to understand. While much of God's word is very plain in it's teaching, there are passages that we simply MUST ask God for help in understanding! This is to teach us just how much that we really need to trust God for understanding in EVERY aspect of our lives!

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. Now this is a rather interesting turn of events! We so often wonder why a supposidly loving God, would allow us to endure physical conditions & sickness. We need only to look at the Apostle Paul. Remember how he had some kind of "thorn in the flesh"? He asked God several times to remove it, possibly for a long time. And what did God say to him? 2 Corinthians 12 9-"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." Sometimes God allows things like these conditions in us, to teach us to to trust in Him to carry us THROUGH these conditions! If the Lord removed every obstacle that was in our way, how would we ever grow? I think of Proverbs 3:5-6 that says, " 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." We can't always understand God's will, but we know, just as both Paul & Job knew, that that God DOES have a purpose for EVERYTHING that happens in our lives!

You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees. Here is the most ESSENTIAL truth in the entire Bible-that GOD IS GOOD! He does not cause evil, but He allows evil to exist, so that we can trust Him TOTALLY! If it wasn't for evil in the world, why would we even NEED to trust Him? Again, as the Psalmist asks here, we should ask for that which James TOLD US to ask for-wisdom. James 1:5-"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart. Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in your law. I have combined these two verses, because that show that security-REAL SECURITY-is in the Lord & IN THE LORD ALONE! What did Jesus say about Himself in John 14:6-"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." There is no other form of security, REAL security, except in JESUS CHRIST & HIM ALONE! Everything that we could possibly need in our entire Lives, is totally, compleatly, In Christ Jesus! And what happens when we delight in Christ? "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4) What are the desires of our hearts? As Believers, the desire of our hearts, should aways be, to know God more! Not WHY bad things happen to us, not WHY we can't do something, not WHY things are the way that they are, but THE ONLY DESIRE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE, (& I AM INCLUDING MYSELF HERE), IS TO KNOW GOD BETTER! When we truly know God better, we shall no longer..."Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."

It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. here, the psalmist knows the same truth, that we know from Romans 8:28-"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Notice the words ALL THINGS! Everything that ever happens in our lives! For Good! Not for evil-FOR GOOD, even as God is GOOD! LOVE GOD! HERE IS THE CONDITION HERE! Do we love God or not? ARE CALLED! The is the emphasis that God wants to make clear to us-that WE HAVE BEEN CALLED by the Creator of the ENTIRE UNIVERSE, to be His CHILDREN! WE ARE GOD"S CHILDREN! AMEN! And that we learn from our Heavenly Father, who desires nothing but the BEST for His Children!

The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. How much more important is God's word to us? Are we concerned about Physical things, or are we more concerned about things eternal? Look at the fate of everything that is physical in this world-"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21) There is NOT ONE SINGLE THING THAT MAN HAS EVER MADE, THAT WILL NOT DISINTIGRATE OVER TIME! But there IS one thing that WILL survive forever-"......but the word of our God stands forever." (Isaiah 40:Cool

Let us pray. "Lord Jesus, we stand in awe at all that your Holy Spirit has been teaching us through this study of Psalm 119! The Absolute truth that You are God! The absolute truth that Your Word Is eternal! The Absolute truth that YOU & YOU ALONE ARE THE ONLY SOURCE THAT WE CAN TURN TO FOR ALL OUR NEEDS! We fall before Your throne, admitting how much we need You! Admitting how much we desire to know You & You alone! We acknowledge how much we still have to learn, Lord Jesus! But we praise You & YOU ALONE, Heavenly Father, that You & You alone have given us Your Word, that we may have a guidebook for our daily living! We glorify Your Holy Name, for giving us the living word-Your Son, Christ Jesus, that we may have the way to find Your Word, & for giving us who know you, eternal life! We honor You & You alone, for the gift of the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, that through Him, we may understand Your Word, & be able to spread Your Word, to those who are in desperate need of some Good news! We ask that You & You alone would use each of us to reach all of those who so desperatly need You! We submit all that we are, to You & You alone, for there is no one else who can help us to be all that You want us to be, but You alone! We turn to You & You alone, Lord Jesus! We love you, Lord Jesus! We love You! For it is You name alone that we pray, Lord Jesus! Amen!

Bill

 

[Lost in Sin!]

Rolling on with Psalm 119!

Now we look at verses 73-80:

73 Your hands made me and formed me;
give me understanding to learn your commands.

74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
for I have put my hope in your word.

75 I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous,
and in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

76 May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant.

77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.

78 May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
but I will meditate on your precepts.

79 May those who fear you turn to me,
those who understand your statutes.

80 May my heart be blameless toward your decrees,
that I may not be put to shame.



Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. Humbleness is absolutly essential when approaching our Lord & Savior, Christ Jesus! HE IS GOD! We must fully acknowledge the fact that He is the one who created us! Look at Collossians 1:16-"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." We fully acknowledge that we need God's help in understanding Him! Look at these verses, that I use so often in this Psalm-Psalm 8:3-4-"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?"

May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word. Here is a request that we, as Believers, should make of God-that we be a leader in boldly preaching the Word of God, that other Believers would be glad to see us! While I feel that this verse is primarily for Pastors, the verse CAN apply to ANYONE that is boldly preaching the Word of God! Look at Matthew 5:14-16-""You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." When we are truly walking in the ways of God, people WILL be drawn to us, because we preach GOOD NEWS to everyone who needs to hear!

I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me. This is truth, my Brothers & Sisters! As true as the knowledge that we have in 1 John 5:13-"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." Then look at verse 14 as well: "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." GOD HEARS US! Why-because we are His Children! A loving father always hears his children, he wouldn't be a good father if he didn't! Although God disciplines us, just as a father disciplines his children, We KNOW that God does that because He love us! This could very well be the affliction that the Psalmist is talking about! Maybe he feels the hand of God correcting him about something, as all of us have felt the hand of God correcting us!

May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Unfailing love. The same unfailing love that we find in John 3:16-"16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. God's compassion. The same compassion talked about above. It is ONLY by God's compassion in each one of us, who know Christ Jesus as Lord & Savior, that we ARE forgiven! We wouldn't be otherwise! As for God's word being our delight? What does God give those who delight in him-"......the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4)

May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts. Do I hear Matthew 5:11-12 here? "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven............" When we bury God's word deep in our hearts, there is NOTHING that can affect us! Psalm 119:11 says-"I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you."

May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes. It has been a pleasure to be an encouragement to other Believers on many of the websites that I belong to! Wouldn't all of us love to be available to other Believers as an encouragement as well? Look at Galatians 5:22-23-"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Although it isn't in this list, encouragement is another gift of the Holy Spirit as well! God can use ANY OF US, if we ask Him to!

May my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be put to shame. God's word is true, my Beloved Brothers & Sisters! Look again at Matthew 5:12-" Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." THIS is the promise of our Lord & Savior, Christ Jesus, to ALL who choose to follow Him!

Let us Pray!

Lord Jesus-we humble ourselves before You now. YOU ARE GOD! We give You & You alone all the praise for both Your written Word & Your Living Word-The Bible & Yourself! Lord Jesus: you have promised us that we would never be put to shame, when we follow You & the teachings of Your Word! We call upon You & You alone, in our time of need, to know You more & more! We seek You & You alone, Lord Jesus! There is no other way! We praise You, that through the power of the blood that You shed for each one of us That we CAN approach Your Father! THERE REALLY IS NONE LIKE YOU! We give You & You alone all the praise, glory, & honor, Heavenly Father, for Your gift, that was Your Son, Christ Jesus-to die for each of us so that we may have fellowship with You! To You & You alone belongs all Honor, & Glory, & Honor, forever & ever! For it is in Jesus Name, we pray! Amen!"

Bill

 

[Lost in Sin!]

We are continuing our look at Psalm 119!

We will now look at verses 81-88:

1 My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
but I have put my hope in your word.

82 My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
I say, "When will you comfort me?"

83 Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
I do not forget your decrees.

84 How long must your servant wait?
When will you punish my persecutors?

85 The arrogant dig pitfalls for me,
contrary to your law.

86 All your commands are trustworthy;
help me, for men persecute me without cause.

87 They almost wiped me from the earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.

88 Preserve my life according to your love,
and I will obey the statutes of your mouth.

My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word. Sometimes, we get so very tired, that we feel that we can't go on. the same thing can be said for our spiritual lives as well. We go through our lives with an empty vacuum in our souls, that we can't fill, no matter how we may try! This is the longing of those who do not know the Lord, have in their lives. They ask the question:,

"WHY AM I HERE? WHAT IS MY PURPOSE IN LIFE?"

We who DO know the Lord, also know the answer to both these questions-TO GLORIFY GOD! That is our sole purpose on earth! I am reminded of a verse that I keep refering to, over & over again, in this study of Psalm 119! It is also found in the book of psalms-Psalms 8:3-4-" When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? And why do we put our hope in God's word? " All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) What other book in the history of man can make this kind of claim, except the Bible? Isaiah 40:8 states-"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.

My eyes fail, looking for your promise; I say, "When will you comfort me?" It is possible that the psalmist here is saying that when he looked for God's promises under his own power, he couldn't find them. Why? Because of sin. Look at John 12:40-""He has blinded their eyes and deadened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turnâ€â€and I would heal them." Until we make sure that there is no sin in our lives, we will continue searching for God's promises in vain. The same thing holds true for the psalmist, when he asks why God won't comfort him. God WILL comfort us who know Jesus, but there is no comfort until ALL sin is confessed & forgiven!



Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget your decrees. Here is a historical note about this verse, In anciant times, wineskins were ofthen hung from rafters. Smoke from the constant cooking fires would cover the skins with soot, & eventually leave them shriveled & dry. The psalmist says that, if life leaves him unused, shriveled & dry, he won't forget God's decrees. I think that we might also take this verse as a description of what happens to a Believer who backslides from the Lord-he becomes like a shriveled-up wineskin, because he is unused by God. (Just a thought! Bill)


How long must your servant wait? When will you punish my persecutors? There could be many reasons why it seems that God doesn't answer our prayers. Either unconfessed sin, or God's timing. We have to remember that God doesn't operate in our time frame, because He can see eternity from beginning to end! There is a verse in Scripture that say-"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day." (2 Peter 3:8} Matthew 5:10-12 states the reason for delay in regard to persucution-"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The arrogant dig pitfalls for me, contrary to your law. Here is a major truth for the Believers in the world today-WE WILL HAVE TROUBLES! But Jesus has promised us-"I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD." That is a promised that can never be changed! As Jesus overcame death, so too can we overcome our problems that we face, so long as we remember ONE TRUTH-"I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Phillipians 4:13)



All your commands are trustworthy; help me, for men persecute me without cause. Here again-refer to Matthew 5:10! Also, check out 2 Chronicles 7:14-"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. God WILL hear us, because HIS WORD, (which Psalm 119 is all about), IS TRUE!



They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. Do you know what truth is to deal with what man might be doing to you? "So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.What can man do to me?"


Preserve my life according to your love, and I will obey the statutes of your mouth. What is God's love, my beloved Brothers & Sisters? JOHN 3:16! Is it any wonder that we choose to follow our wonderfu Lord, no matter what?

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we come before You & You alone, because You Are GOD! We fall prostrate before your throne, in awe of who You are, & how much You love us! You loved us so much, that You gave us a gift that can never be repaid-Your one & Only Son, Christ Jesus! Lord Jesus, we are nothing without You! We echo the words of the songwriter, when we pray-"I am nothing without Christ, he is everything to me........................I know that I couldn't make it through one day, without Jesus in my life. I am nothing, nothing without Christ." Lord, be the ruler of our lives! We cry out to You & You alone, Lord Jesus! We need You & You alone so much! Hear the prayers of Your Children, Lord Jesus! Here our cry, even as the psalmist cried out to You, so do we! We need you so bad! Hear our prayer, Lord Jesus! We trust in no one but You, for no one else paid the price that You did! No one showed the kind of love that You did! You are our Savior! You are our Lord! You are God! We love You, Lord Jesus! We love You so much! For it is in Your Name & Your Name alone, we pray. Amen!"

Bill

 

[Lost in Sin!]

Continuing on with our look at Psalm 119!

Now we look at verses 89-96:

89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.

90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
you established the earth, and it endures.

91 Your laws endure to this day,
for all things serve you.

92 If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.

93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have preserved my life.

94 Save me, for I am yours;
I have sought out your precepts.

95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
but I will ponder your statutes.

96 To all perfection I see a limit;
but your commands are boundless.



Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your Word is eternal-do I hear Isaiah 40:8? "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." Keep in mind that this Psalm was written quite a few years before Isaiah lived, yet the truth of what the psalmist says, shows here that God's Word really doesn't change!


Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. God's faithfulness, like His Word IS eternal! Look at 2 Timothy 2:13-"if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. Once again, we see another of the great truths of the Bible-God is ALWAYS faithful! Look at the rest of that verse-He cannot deny Himself. For God to be any other way, would go against His very character! Hebrews 13:8 states-"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Christ Jesus, & Him alone is all that we should put our faith in-who else, or what else, is eternal like God?



Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you. Even to this day, God's Word is still as fresh, as when it was first written! Look at Isaiah 40:8 again!



If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. Here, the psalmist realizes God's laws & promises-(That He DOES love us!). These are the only reasons that He is even alive-Because God DOES love him! These are 2 verses that I am never going to forget-Psalm 8:3-4-"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? What are we, that God SHOULD care about us? We are His Children!

I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. How do we never forget God's word? Psalm 119:11-"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out your precepts. I love this verse! Look very closely at what it says: I AM YOURS! THIS IS THE CLOSEST FORM OF INTAMACY THAT WE CAN GET-BEING THE PROPERTY OF GOD!!! For all of us who DO know Christ as our Lord & Savior, we ARE God's property! Can you think of a better Master to serve? And what happens when we seek out the truths in God's Word? Luke 11:9-"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes. As Believers, we are ALWAYS under attack by Satan & his forces! But what are we instructed to do? Ephesians 6:11-13 gives us the answer-" Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Then look at Ephesians 6:17, because there are already 2 things that we posess-the Helmet of Salvation, which we received when we were Born again, & the Sword of the Spirit, WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD!

To all perfection I see a limit; but your commands are boundless. This is a rather interesting verse! I believe what the psalmist is saying, is that even with all the wonderful things that man has created; that NOTHING that man has ever made , really IS perfect, in God's eyes, EXCEPT HIS WORD!

Let us pray.

"Lord Jesus, we praise You & You alone this day! For You & You alone ARE erternal! We praise You & You alone, that Your Word is eternal! It never changes! It is just as powerful as it was back in the time that this psalm was written! We give all the glory to the ONLY constant that ever is, was, or ever shall be-We bless You, Heavenly father! We bless You, Christ Jesus! We bless you, Holy Spirit! We glorify You & You alone, Three-In-One! We praise You & You alone, that you never DO change! We trust in You & You alone, for our every need, for there is no one else like You! In Jesus Name we pray! Amen!

Bill :D

 

[Lost in Sin!]

Today, we will look at verses 97-104:

"97 Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.

98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me.

99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.

100 I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.

101 I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.

102 I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.

103 How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.

104 I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path."



Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. This is the kind of attitude that we should have towards God's Word! Can we say that we feel this enthusuastic about laws that man has made? Yet man, however well-intentioned he may be-he is NOT perfect! Look at Psalm 19:7-"The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple." God's Word is PERFECT! How can we NOT love something as perfect as that! As to meditating on God's Word, walking every moment with the Lord-by His leading, is meditating on His Word as well, because we are living ACCORDING to God's Word, when we walk with Him!



Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. What does it say about wisdom in James 1:5? "f any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." Isn't that a great thought, my Brothers & Sisters, to know that we are wiser than our emimies? They are always with us! Then look at John 16:33-"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Christ Jesus has overcome every person, or situation that we could personally encounter! This is what we, who are Believers can have-no matter how many enimies we have!



I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. This is not saying that we are smarter than other people, but rather, as Believers, we can grasp things, (by the power of the Holy Spirit), that those who AREN'T Born Again, simply can't see or undestand! But there IS a a condition here-MEDITATING ON GOD'S WORD! And how do we do that? Psalm 119:11-"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Memorizing, reading God's Word, making it a part of our very being: THIS is how we meditate on God's Word!

(Continued)
I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. Again, this is NOT saying that we are smarter than anyone else-but rather, (again by the power of the Holy Spirit), we are partakers of the mind of Christ, because we belong to Him! 1 Corinthians 2:16 says-"........But we have the mind of Christ. And what is the condition to having the mind of Christ? OBEYING GOD'S WORD!

I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. How do we keep our feet from every evil path? Do I hear Phillipians 4:8 here? "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirableâ€â€if anything is excellent or praiseworthyâ€â€think about such things. Like above-there is a condition-Obeying God's Word!



I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. Isn't this exactly what Jesus was-a teacher? When the Creator of the entire Universe teaches you something-YOU REMEMBER IT!

How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth. Isn't this a great picture of what God's Word is to us who are Born Again? Look at Psalms 34:8-"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.



I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path." Look at what the Bible says about itself-"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,..... When we follow God's Word, is it any wonder why we hate every wrong path?

Let us Pray.

"Lord Jesus, we praise Your most Holy Name, for what Your Word has tp teach us, & that we can gain so much from it's study, even just this one passage! We praise You & You alone for the Gift of Your Holy Spirit, that through Him, we MAY gain so much from the study of Your Word! Lord Jesus, we humbly ask that You would continue to pour out Your Holy Spirit upon each of us, that we MAY gain more understanding of what Your Word has to say to each one of us! We love You, Lord Jesus! We love You! In Your name alone, do we pray! Amen!"

Bill