Bible Study - Rhythm (2) - GOD'S Word Fills My Heart - Psalm 119:9-16 - December 11, 2016

Bible Study – Rhythm (2) – GOD’S Word Fills My Heart – December 11, 2016

This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Spoken: The Rhythm of GOD’S Word.”

Our focus scripture is Psalm 119:9-16.

GOD’S Word teaches us all we need to live well.

Our study of Psalm 119 is about GOD’S Word and the joy HIS Word brings to us as we study and live it. We are to delight in GOD’S Word. The rhythm of GOD’S Word as we read it, meditate upon it and apply it to our lives results in our joy and delight. When we hear a beautiful presentation of music, it brings joy to the innermost parts of our being and so does GOD’S Word when we are in right relationship with HIM. Let’s continue to explore!

Let’s read Psalm 119: 9-11:

Bet – The Second Letter in the Hebrew Alphabet. 

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping Your word.

The psalmist poses a question and also provides the answer. Growing up as a male or female has many challenges. We either have been there or some are there. How do the young people handle these early developing years? It is by keeping GOD’S Word. But we have to know GOD’S Word before we can keep it.

As a person, we have a responsibility in making the right choices as we walk through life. The ideal is for the young person to walk in harmony and in-step with GOD through his or her relationship with JESUS. The psalmist focuses on being pure, which in turn focuses upon our personal relationship with GOD through JESUS. He uses the word “keeping” which carries the meaning of “guarding” or paying careful attention to GOD’S Word and applying it to our lives. It is not passive but active.  

10 I have sought You with all my heart; don't let me wander from Your commands.

Sought carries the idea of careful study of GOD’S Word and how HIS Word reveals the relationship HE desires to have with those who seek HIM. The focus is upon learning more about GOD in order to have an intimate, personal, loving relationship with HIM. The psalmist expresses a sincere desire to know GOD and not to just know about GOD.

The psalmist knows that we have good intentions but we allow the things of the world to distract us and we wander off the path GOD desires for us. It is likely that the psalmist thought about sheep and how easy it was for them to wander off from their shepherd and end up in trouble or in the mouths of a predator.

Wandering from GOD’S commands leads to trouble. So what does the psalmist do to keep from wandering? Let’s read on ---

11 I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.

GOD’S Word is true treasure. It is treasure that the psalmist kept in his heart in order for him not to sin against GOD or wander from HIM. GOD’S Word is of value with a purpose. That is why scripture memory is vital as we walk through life.

A precious, sweet lady recently told us that scripture and Christian songs flowed through her mind while she was in the hospital with a trachea for a long time and could not talk. Her treasure trove of scripture and songs ministered to her.

Let’s read Psalm 119:12-13:

12 Lord, may You be praised; teach me Your statutes.

13 With my lips I proclaim all the judgments from Your mouth.

Verses 12 and 13 form three convictions that helped shape the life of the psalmist: I gleaned from page 21, “Herschel Hobbs Commentary, Winter 2016-17, LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0175:

-         Affirmation – LORD YOU are worthy of praise. Praised can mean “blessed,” which comes from a word that means “to kneel.” We praise GOD when we are obedient to HIM. Obedience honors or praises GOD.

-         Request – teach me your statutes. The Hebrew word translated “statutes” means to “inscribe.” LORD as we study Your Word teaches us through the indwelling Holy Spirit, enlighten us and empower us to apply it to our lives. As we apply YOUR Word to our lives inscribe it upon our minds and internalize it in our hearts.

-         Commitment – with my lips I proclaim all the judgments from Your mouth. Judgments carry the idea of a person with authority, in this case GOD, taking into consideration all the aspects of a situation or circumstance and rendering a decision or conclusion based upon truth. As the psalmist has walked with GOD, he found GOD to weigh all the evidence and render a just and fair interpretation of HIS Word as it applied to his life. Therefore, GOD is The Only One True GOD Who judges fairly and can be followed without fear that HE is fickle. HE is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. HE is consistent, wise and shares HIS wisdom and makes it known as we walk with HIM each moment.

GOD’S judgments are written down in HIS Word and can be considered and pondered. That is the beauty of the Bible. It is GOD’S written Word and can be applied to life when revealed by GOD. You can trust GOD’S word to lead and guide you. As written in Psalm 119:105:

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Let’s read Psalm 119:14-16:

14 I rejoice in the way [revealed by] Your decrees as much as in all riches.

The psalmist has discovered vast wealth in GOD’S Word. Its application to life and guiding you to getting to know the One True GOD, Yahweh in an intimate and personal way.

15 I will meditate on Your precepts and think about Your ways.

As a result of this discovery, the psalmist will meditate on GOD’S Word, what is revealed in HIS Word and apply what HE learns as he walks in step, unity and harmony with GOD. To “meditate” is to carefully and deliberately dwell/think upon GOD’S Word in a wise, pensive manner. It is to dig deep into the heart and mind of GOD and why HE has revealed it to mankind but more especially why HE has revealed it to you.

Precepts carry the idea of “to attend to” or “to appoint.” GOD’S precepts are words HE has appointed for our good. Words we as HIS children need to pay attention to and pray and seek GOD’S guidance regarding their application to our lives.

To “think about” carries the idea of taking a long hard look at the precept and its application to our lives. It means for us to “fix our eyes on” what is revealed and not pass over it and thinking it has no application to us.

So often, I find myself rushing over a precept not wanting it to apply to me. GOD says, “Don’t do that because My Word is a light unto your path.” Light is vital in the dark world we live in. We all walk in the dark until the darkness is dispelled by the light of GOD or HIS Word.

16 I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

The psalmist discovered the truth in GOD’S Word. HIS Word may appear to be harsh but he has discovered the truth and learned that GOD’S judgments are fair, balanced, educational and useful. Therefore, he delights in what is revealed in GOD’S Word because GOD’S revealed Word is not to harm but to keep and maintain the right relationship with GOD. Being in right relationship with GOD, also means being in right relationship with our fellow man.

Since, GOD’S Word is inscribed (statutes) on his heart and he applies it to his everyday life, he will not forget what GOD reveals. It is because living GOD’S Word has become his lifestyle. GOD’S Word becomes his delight in everyday life. It is the psalmist’s pleasure to obediently serve GOD because he has discovered that GOD is in partnership with him for his good and well being while he is still upon earth. Not only is GOD interested in his (as well as our) well being in his life upon earth but also prepares him for his life in Heaven with GOD.

GOD’S decrees or testimonies bear witness of HIM. GOD’S Word is not burdensome but brings joy and meaning to his life. HIS Word is of great value and brings continuing satisfaction.

GOD’S Word is not GOD but it is the revelation of GOD and leads all who seek HIM to HIM. When we are in unity with GOD by placing our faith in HIS Only SON, JESUS, we are born into GOD’S family and become HIS Son or Daughter through the miracle of rebirth in our spirit.

GOD in HIS love for us confirms our Spiritual rebirth by sending the Holy Spirit to indwell each person who places his or her faith in JESUS. The Holy Spirit confirms this miracle of rebirth and teaches, enlightens, empowers, guides, and so much more with each step in our life as we allow the Holy Spirit to live through us.

Once salvation comes, we begin the process of sanctification or being made more into the image of JESUS as we yield our lives to the control of the Holy Spirit. Christians are a work in progress. Perfection will come the instant our born-again Spirit leaves our earth suit. We will stand before our LORD and Savior JESUS and GOD our Father in our new body fashioned by GOD for Heaven. This fashioned body, suitable for Heaven, will serve until we return with JESUS to receive our New Glorified bodies for eternity. This New Glorified body will be like JESUS’ resurrected body.

The psalmist concludes with the statement “I will not forget Your Word.” Since GOD’S Word is inscribed upon his heart and mind and he applies it to his life, it has become a lifestyle to live according to it. GOD’S Word will keep us from sin when we are in right relationship with GOD. When we do sin, GOD’S Word reveals what we are to do to receive forgiveness and continue our walk with HIM as in 1 John 1:8-10:

8 If we say, "We have no sin," we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say, "We have not sinned," we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

GOD’S desire is for HIS Children to build an intimate personal relationship with HIM through faith in JESUS and building this relationship is by studying HIS Word and allowing HIS Word to reveal truth. GOD is truth. As the scripture reveals in James 1:17:

17 Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.

GOD is the source of light and truth. HE does not deviate. Obstacles cast shadows but the source never cast shadows. Christians are to seek the source, GOD and HIS Word.  

As we read in 2 Corinthians 3:18:

18 We all, with unveiled faces, are reflecting the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.

May the Glory of the LORD JESUS be reflected through our lives! Not to bring Glory to us but to bring Glory to HM because HE is worthy. May we delight in HIS Word as it fills our hearts, changes our hearts and we allow it to become our lifestyle.  

Blessings!!!