As the pastor read the Daleth portion of Psalm 119 during the evening service I could not help but think how relevant these words are for believers today.
My soul cleaves to the dust; Revive me according to Thy word. (Ps 119#25)
Daily I am forced to recognize the weakness of my flesh--that I am but dust--having a sinful nature. Paul in Romans 8#9 reminds us that we "are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you." And to the Corinthians he wrote: "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual [thoughts] with spiritual [words.] (1 Co 2#12-13) What an absolutely thrilling prospect that the author of God's Word now lives in us to teach, to lead, to give revival to our soul. Doesn't that make you want to grab your Bible and read?
I have told of my ways, and Thou hast answered me; Teach me Thy statutes. (Ps 119#26)
Throughout the Old and New Testaments we read of men like Job and Peter confessing their unworthiness before God. And yet, God in His infinite mercy and grace, in love sent His beloved Son to die for our sins, and to rise again the third day, in order that those who believe might receive new life through faith in Jesus Christ alone. What a wonderful answer God has given to the unworthy sinner who receives His gift and so escapes the torments of eternal judgment. I would like to learn more about the truth of His Word. Wouldn't you?
Make me understand the way of Thy precepts, So I will meditate on Thy wonders. (Ps 119#27)
Concerning the Holy Spirit, John writes: "And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him." (1 Jn 2#27) And Paul encourages us to: "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." And "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you." (Col 3#2, 16) As we continue to reflect on the Word of God the Spirit will teach us.
My soul weeps because of grief; Strengthen me according to Thy word. (Ps. 119#28)
"Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ." (2 Cor 1#3-5) Again I would remind you of the promises of Jesus in John's Gospel. "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, ... the Spirit of Truth, ... I will not leave you as orphans." (Jn 14#16-18) The Word of God is filled with promise after promise of comfort to be confirmed to us by the work of the Spirit in our hearts.
Remove the false way from me, And graciously grant me Thy law. (Ps 119#29)
Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, [then] you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (Jn 8#31-32) Jesus is "the way, the truth, the life"; His Word is true; we have received the Spirit of truth; and when our lives are girded with truth, we have tremendous power with which to counter the lies and half-thruths of the father of lies, Satan. This is grace for living!
I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Thine ordinances [before me.] (Ps 119#30)
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God [did:] sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and [as an offering] for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." (Rom 8:2-4; Gal 5:22-25) In the last 2 verses Paul describes a genuine Christian attitude.
As we count true our death to sin
I cleave to Thy testimonies; O LORD, do not put me to shame! (Ps 119#31)
Read another passage filled with promise from the God who cannot lie!
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live
sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the
blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and
Savior, Christ Jesus; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem
us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His
own possession, zealous for good deeds." (Titus 2#11-14) Not only are we
Christ's possession, but "it is God who is at work in you, both to will
and to work for [his] good pleasure." (php 2#13)
I shall run the way of Thy commandments, For Thou wilt enlarge my heart. (Ps 119#32)
Consider what Peter says to those who have been born again through the living and abiding Word of God. "Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord." (1 Pet 2:1-3)
Is the Word of God important? O Yes!
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
Faith in the death of Christ for our sins and His resurrection that
gives us new life;
Faith that impowers us to live that life now by means of
the indwelling Holy Spirit; and
Faith that looks forward to the time when all those who have been
born into the family of God will gather 'round His throne where we are
presently "seated with Him in the heavenly [places], in Christ Jesus,
in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches
of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." (Ep 2#6-7)
--GEM