God’s Word for Life
Selections from Psalm 119
Pastor Bob Alderman
www.brobob.org
David was a man who lived several thousands of years ago in a far away land.
David was an ancestor of Jesus Christ, a shepherd, a servant, a warrior and a king.
Most importantly, David was a man after God’s own heart.
Yet, David was just a man. He was similar
in life and affliction as you and I.
Unlike most of us, David’s failings are recorded for all to read in the Words of the Bible.
Psalm 119 – all 176 verses of it – is David’s love song about the Word of God. David loved the Word of God.
You may be relieved to know that we will not seek to cover all 176 verses here this morning.
Listen to what David reveals about himself and His need for the Word of God in these few verses.
Happiness in life
Psalm 119:1-2 “Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the LORD. Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their hearts.” NLT
Encouragement in suffering
Psalm 119:28 “I weep with grief; encourage me by your word.”
Revealed truth about ourselves
Psalm 119:29 “Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your law.” NLT
David openly admits that he lies to himself; telling himself that what he is doing is ok.
We still do the same thing today. We make excuses, bend the truth around our desires and say that it is ok if we sin “a little bit every now and then.”
David tells us here that we are not getting away with anything.
God’s Word is what reveals those lies to our heart, no matter how hard we try to hide from it.
This is the same basic message the author of Hebrews is telling us in chapter 4 verse 12:
Hebrews 4:12-13 “For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. Nothing in all creation can hide from him. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done.” NLT
a. The Bible is able to touch the deepest parts of our life and reveal to us the things we do not want to see.
b. No matter how hard we try to hide our “secret stuff” God knows them and reveals them to us through His Word.
c. The Word of God is given for us.
We need this “course correction” as we set the sails of our lives; lest we head off in the wrong direction
Psalm 119:67 “I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.” NLT
It is so very easy for us to fall away from the Lord; to step back from the joy we found in our salvation and the peace we know from a deep and personal relationship with God.
So easy to allow a little disobedience, pride, or self sneak into the steps of our life. So easy to take the extra cookie from the cookie jar, tell a little lie to make our life smoother or push the gas pedal down just a little bit more when we are running late. So easy.
David was no exception to this natural condition of fallen humanity.
The Word of God calls us back to Him and protects us from “backsliding”.
It is from a steady diet of the Word of God that we find the abundant life God has promised us.
Release from the pressure cooker of life
Psalm 119:143 “As
pressure and stress bear down on me,
I find joy in your commands.” NLT
David understood what stress was all about.
Whether it was being the youngest boy in a large family or being a small fish in a sea of big men serving king and country; David knew what it was to be looked down upon – thought of as less than everyone else.
David knew what it was like to face a problem that was much bigger than you are, so big that even your peers were afraid of it.
David knew what it was to feel the weight of the world on your shoulders and not know what to do with it.
David understood stress and pressure.
David tells us here that he found more than relief – he found joy – in the Word of God.
Salvation and Hope
Psalm 119:81-82 “I
faint with longing for your salvation;
but I have put my hope in your word. My eyes are straining to see your promises come true. When will you comfort me?” NLT
David sought the Lord’s salvation with great effort. He did not just look for a minute or two, he put great energy into seeking God.
David’s faith was not just a Sunday Morning routine; King David’s was a life encompassing faith that reaped great rewards.
He trusted in God and the Word of
God completely; and the little shepherd
boy became king.
David knew he needed God in a powerful way and he was
focused on God’s Word, seeking to
draw closer, and closer to God.
Are you?
When was the last time you looked for God with such intensity
your eyes were strained? Trusting Him to bring you comfort, wisdom and victory?
When did you last feel weak in the presence of God as you sought Him and the salvation He has promised?
How long has been since you were spoken of as a
man after God’s own heart?
Maybe you are here today and God has brought you to the place where you are ready now to place your hope and your heart in Him.
If so, you come.