Complacent travel could be hazardous to a man’s health.”
–Donald L. Robertson (Law and Justice)
“Let me live so I can praise you, and may your laws sustain me.”
“Let me live so I can praise you, and may your laws sustain me.”
–Psalm 119:175 (NLT)
—————————–
I will conclude this week with Psalm 119. I have only briefly touched on this magnificent Psalm, but I hope I have given you a taste so that you’ll do a more thorough study. In fact, I have just finished a study on the Psalm and if I were to write something more detailed I reckon it would take somewhere between 75 and 85 days to complete it. It is so full of truths, inspirations, and instructions for our lives.
Jonathan Hughes writes that, “God’s Word ought to form the basis of every aspect of our lives.” How true! It is imperative that Christians have a truly Biblical worldview as we go through this world. Hughes continues, “It is abnormal and wrong to claim to be a Christian and not to want to let God’s Word have control over every aspect of life.”
.129 Your decrees are wonderful. No wonder I obey them! –NLT
Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. –NKJV
.130 The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. –NASB
The revelation of Your words brings light and gives understanding to the inexperienced. –HCSB
God’s word is wonderful: in its nature and in its effects. We should never lose the sense of wonder that is the awareness of God. We read, we wonder, then we obey God’s Word. We are to walk in the light, but how is that possible if we do not read His word and obey it? The world is full of darkness, in fact the world is darkness and as we travel through it we must have the light of God’s Word. All the spiritual light known in this dark world has flowed from the Word of God. Hughes states, “Our lives need to be wide open to the Bible and all that it has to teach us so that we can fully enjoy the warmth and light of the presence of God.”
.142 Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true. –NIV
Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth. –NKJV
The person who loves God’s Word will have a different attitude. They realize that there are no errors or flaws in God’s Word, that it contains the truth, and, in fact, is the truth. His word is the embodiment of holiness. They are enough for life–focus on them! Remember always, despite the views of culture and society, no matter the proponents of wokeness and progressivism that God’s standard of righteousness is an abiding one, that it is true. If we obey God’s Word it will preserve us from sinful ways. Perhaps we should consider the thought–social media or God’s Word.
Psalm 119 is known for the fact that almost every verse mentions God’s Word. However, “the main point of this psalm is not the Word but the relationship between people and God through the Word.” (William J. Petersen) In regard to relationship, throughout this Psalm there is the emphasis upon prayer. Paul must have been very familiar with this psalm when he implored us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The Psalmist says, “I will praise you seven times a day” (vs 164).
.147 I rise before the dawning of the morning, and cry for help; I hope in Your word. –NKJV
I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words. –NLT
.148 My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word. –KJV
I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise. –NLT
The Word and prayer, the way to a relationship with God. Prayer should be a natural and consistent part of our life and it should be a constant focus throughout the day. How often do we really pray? How often do we perceive that God is with us through every minute of the day? Charles Bridges said, “It is not, that such men are busy, and have no time for prayer, but that they are worldly, and have no heart to pray.” To hope in His word is to build up our faith, and no matter the time of day we can be in conversation with our heavenly Father. Get this into your heart and mind–“The aim of the Scriptures is not simply that you may know about God. It is that you may know Him personally.” (Petersen)
“Holy Bible, book divine, precious treasure, thou art mine;
Mine to tell me whence I came; mine to teach me what I am;
Mine to chide me when I rove; mine to show a Savior’s love;
Mine thou art to guide and guard; mine to punish or reward.”
–John Burton
—————————–
I will conclude this week with Psalm 119. I have only briefly touched on this magnificent Psalm, but I hope I have given you a taste so that you’ll do a more thorough study. In fact, I have just finished a study on the Psalm and if I were to write something more detailed I reckon it would take somewhere between 75 and 85 days to complete it. It is so full of truths, inspirations, and instructions for our lives.
Jonathan Hughes writes that, “God’s Word ought to form the basis of every aspect of our lives.” How true! It is imperative that Christians have a truly Biblical worldview as we go through this world. Hughes continues, “It is abnormal and wrong to claim to be a Christian and not to want to let God’s Word have control over every aspect of life.”
.129 Your decrees are wonderful. No wonder I obey them! –NLT
Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. –NKJV
.130 The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. –NASB
The revelation of Your words brings light and gives understanding to the inexperienced. –HCSB
God’s word is wonderful: in its nature and in its effects. We should never lose the sense of wonder that is the awareness of God. We read, we wonder, then we obey God’s Word. We are to walk in the light, but how is that possible if we do not read His word and obey it? The world is full of darkness, in fact the world is darkness and as we travel through it we must have the light of God’s Word. All the spiritual light known in this dark world has flowed from the Word of God. Hughes states, “Our lives need to be wide open to the Bible and all that it has to teach us so that we can fully enjoy the warmth and light of the presence of God.”
.142 Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true. –NIV
Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth. –NKJV
The person who loves God’s Word will have a different attitude. They realize that there are no errors or flaws in God’s Word, that it contains the truth, and, in fact, is the truth. His word is the embodiment of holiness. They are enough for life–focus on them! Remember always, despite the views of culture and society, no matter the proponents of wokeness and progressivism that God’s standard of righteousness is an abiding one, that it is true. If we obey God’s Word it will preserve us from sinful ways. Perhaps we should consider the thought–social media or God’s Word.
Psalm 119 is known for the fact that almost every verse mentions God’s Word. However, “the main point of this psalm is not the Word but the relationship between people and God through the Word.” (William J. Petersen) In regard to relationship, throughout this Psalm there is the emphasis upon prayer. Paul must have been very familiar with this psalm when he implored us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The Psalmist says, “I will praise you seven times a day” (vs 164).
.147 I rise before the dawning of the morning, and cry for help; I hope in Your word. –NKJV
I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words. –NLT
.148 My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word. –KJV
I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise. –NLT
The Word and prayer, the way to a relationship with God. Prayer should be a natural and consistent part of our life and it should be a constant focus throughout the day. How often do we really pray? How often do we perceive that God is with us through every minute of the day? Charles Bridges said, “It is not, that such men are busy, and have no time for prayer, but that they are worldly, and have no heart to pray.” To hope in His word is to build up our faith, and no matter the time of day we can be in conversation with our heavenly Father. Get this into your heart and mind–“The aim of the Scriptures is not simply that you may know about God. It is that you may know Him personally.” (Petersen)
“Holy Bible, book divine, precious treasure, thou art mine;
Mine to tell me whence I came; mine to teach me what I am;
Mine to chide me when I rove; mine to show a Savior’s love;
Mine thou art to guide and guard; mine to punish or reward.”
–John Burton