Bible Study - Rhythm (5) - GOD'S Word is Always Relevant - Psalm 119:89-96 - January 1, 2017

Bible Study – Rhythm (5) – GOD’S Word is Always Relevant – January 1, 2017

This is lesson five (5) in our series entitled “Spoken: The Rhythm of GOD’S Word.”

Our focus scripture is Psalm 119:89-96.

GOD’S Word reflects HIS character and power – and always will.

Do you want to know GOD? Then study HIS Word and apply it as led by the Holy Spirit. Often, we try to use GOD’S Word like an Ouija Board or something to look to the future. First of all, attempting to look into the future is abominable to GOD. We learn that by studying the Bible.

I heard a story many years ago that went something like this:

A man decided that he would be guided by the Bible. He needed direction for his life. So he got his Bible and decided that he would open it randomly and randomly place his finger on a verse and do whatever it said. He did and his finger landed on a verse that stated, “And he went out and hanged himself.” 

That did not sound right so he determined that he would try it a second time. So he opened the Bible randomly for a second time and randomly placed his finger on another verse and read it. It stated “what thou must do, do quickly.” The man decided that random blind selection was not the proper way to use the Bible to get direction for his life.

Some of us may try random methods for discerning GOD’S will for our lives. GOD can lead us to certain passages of scripture and reveal direction to us. 

The Holy Spirit calls us and GOD often confirms HIS call with scripture. What is a calling? It generally means that we have a yearning in our hearts to do something, go somewhere or any number of things GOD considers important for us to do.

Living for CHRIST and obediently serving GOD is all about relationship. We build our relationship with GOD by obediently serving JESUS and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us as HE determines for our lives.

We learn the attributes of GOD by studying HIS Word and applying what GOD reveals as we walk with HIM. One thing is for sure, HE says what HE means and HE means what HE says. We, also, see in GOD’S Word, that there are times that GOD is willing to flex, often to let us see that HE is correct in HIS judgment.

The Advanced Bible Study, winter 2016-2017, written by Dr. Bryan Beyer, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Columbia International University, Columbia, SC, page 60:

“Psalm 119:89-96 highlights the eternal relevance of God’s Word. God has established the earth and governs it by His judgments (vv. 90-91). The psalmist recognized his life depended on the blessing God’s Word provided (v. 92). He would never forget God’s precepts and would ask for Him to bring His salvation (v. 94). The wicked ultimately would not prevail over him (v. 94). Life provides many examples of limits, but God’s commands are limitless in their relevance (v.96).”

Let’s explore!

Let’s read Psalm 119:89-91:

Lamed – The Twelfth Letter in the Hebrew Alphabet.

GOD’S Word Is Timeless.

89 Lord, Your word is forever; it is firmly fixed in heaven.

The beauty of GOD’S Word is that it is eternal. It guided those in the Old Testament days, the New Testament days, today and it will continue for all the days to come. This has amazed me as I have studied and applied GOD’S Word in my life to see how it fits both the time and the circumstance. The Holy Spirit gives the interpretation, relevance and application.

GOD’S Word is as relevant today as the day it was written. The Holy Spirit provides the relevance of GOD’S Word to our lives at the moment of need.

90 Your faithfulness is for all generations; You established the earth, and it stands firm.

GOD is consistent. HE is not fickle. The false gods referred to in the Old Testament times were fickle and many disinterested in the affairs of mankind. The One True GOD, Yahweh does not say one thing one day or to one generation and another to another day or generation. That is why the psalmist had found that GOD’S Word was timeless. Just as GOD established the earth and it has remained and functioned as it should throughout the ages so will GOD’S Word and GOD. GOD makes history. History is not random possibilities but designed according to GOD’S plan and purpose. Nothing is by chance but by design.

Once GOD established the order of the universe and the earth it has remained and so will GOD’S Word.

91 They stand today in accordance with Your judgments, for all things are Your servants.

“They” refers to the permanence and eternal evidence of GOD’S Word, GOD, GOD’S laws and GOD’S faithfulness. When we, as humans, consider GOD’S rule against the backdrop of what we can see and experience e.g. the order and permanence of earth, its cycles and ability to support life upon earth and the order of the universe, we see that all things are servants of GOD. GOD is sovereign. All the earth and universe reflects GOD, HIS power, HIS love, HIS care and the list goes on. GOD’S judgments represent the final conclusion based upon HIS knowledge of all things as applied to HIS plan and purpose.

HIS judgments are sound and can be relied upon because they reflect HIS perfect will. GOD’S desire is for all humans to acknowledge HIM and obediently serve HIM and have a personal relationship with HIM.

In order for that to happen, The Word became flesh and becomes a reality when we place our faith in GOD’S Only Son, JESUS, indwelled by the Holy Spirit and obediently follow HIM.

Proverbs 3:5-6: (KJV)

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Trust comes from knowing based upon experience. Notice this as we read the next verse.

Let’s read Psalm 119:92-93:

GOD’S Word Is Life-giving:

92 If Your instruction had not been my delight, I would have died in my affliction.

The psalmist learned that he could trust GOD’S instructions because GOD, based upon HIS perspective, can see the full picture and the microcosm that the psalmist’s life fits into the grand purpose of GOD.

GOD’S Word is not static but has life-giving properties. It is relevant to any time in a person’s life and as such is the perfect guide for those who seek GOD’S will and purpose in their lives. As such, the psalmist has concluded that ----

93 I will never forget Your precepts, for You have given me life through them.

What the psalmist has distilled from living in relationship with GOD has given meaning, purpose, joy and assurance to him as he has lived upon earth and walked with GOD.

Have you experienced the joy of knowing GOD in a personal, intimate way? If not, ask GOD to help you build such a personal relationship with HIM. A start is to read and study GOD’S Word. As we begin a new year, make reading and studying GOD’S Word a priority. Ask HIM to reveal the truth of HIS Word as it applies to you and the ministry GOD desires for you as you obediently serve HIM.

The psalmist expressed that his life would have been a waste if he had not diligently studied and applied GOD’S Word to his life. As such, he will never forget GOD’S precepts because they are the essence of life upon earth. But it is a two-way street. GOD’S precepts are to be internalized as a person acknowledges GOD and seeks a true relationship with HIM. After the passion of JESUS, we can begin to see and understand the reality of GOD and HIS uncompromising love for every person who has lived or will live upon earth.

GOD imposed the death penalty for sin upon mankind but in HIS love HE also established HIS plan to redeem all who would place their faith in HIS Only Son, JESUS. The choice is yours to make. Will you?

Let’s read Psalm 119:94-96:

GOD’S Word Is Perfect

94 I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts.

I know I tried to figure GOD and JESUS out many years ago. I tried to live the Christian life in my own strength but failed miserably. It was only when I came to the end of my ability that I said “LORD, I cannot live the so-called Christian life take my life like it is, the good and the bad, and YOU help me live it.” In the twinkling of the eye HE did and JESUS and GOD became a reality. My life has not been perfect but I have known that I was GOD’S child through the miracle of rebirth by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

The psalmist commits his life to GOD. The psalmist has studied GOD’S Word and he seeks salvation. He realizes that he cannot save himself. He has searched (or sought) for salvation in GOD’S Word but he realizes that salvation comes from GOD and from nothing he can achieve on his own except yield his will to GOD.

GOD’S Word reveals how much we, as humans miss the mark. What a blessing it is to know that GOD knows that we miss the mark and we are all in need of a Savior and that Savior is JESUS the CHRIST.

Before the coming of JESUS, the Jews were looking forward to the coming of the Messiah. Since JESUS has come and fulfilled HIS passion, we look back at that critical event. Salvation is through faith in JESUS and is a person’s only way to GOD. We, today, know that truth. We need not understand it but to accept it as GOD’S plan to redeem all who place their faith in JESUS. We may say it is silly or question, how can that be? It is GOD’S plan and HE offers it to all who will accept it. The choice is simple and yours to make. How do you choose?

You may say, “Well, I did choose JESUS at one time in my life but I have committed grievous sins and am unworthy to walk with GOD.” That is Satan’s lie. Confess your sins, repent (stop doing them), ask GOD to forgive you and for HIM to give you the strength to live for HIM each day. Your part is to confess and HIS Part is to forgive, cleanse and to restore you. HE cleanses you with the shed blood of JESUS and covers you with HIS grace so that you are always HIS child. Once you are born into GOD’S family, you will never become unborn. Don’t let Satan rob you of the joy of fellowship with GOD and walking with HIM each moment of your life.  

95 The wicked hope to destroy me, but I contemplate Your decrees.

The world offers no hope but the psalmist’s has diligently considered GOD’S Word and has found it to be true as he has applied it to his life. GOD brings life and the wicked bring death.

96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but Your command is without limit.

Our humanness leads us to look at our inability but GOD looks at our capability when we walk in relationship with HIM, through faith in JESUS.  

Do you remember 2 Corinthians 5:21:

21 He (GOD) made the One (JESUS) who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we (all who place their faith in JESUS) might become the righteousness of God in Him.

JESUS took our sin upon Himself so that all who place their faith in HIM will become the righteousness of GOD. We become the righteousness of GOD through the process of sanctification, which begins at the instant of salvation. All Christians are a work in progress until they meet JESUS face to face as they exit their earth suits. When we see HIM, we will be like HIM – perfect.

The psalmist recognized his human limitations but with GOD all things are possible. GOD can take HIS children beyond human capability if they trust HIM and yield their wills to HIM.

As we begin a New Year, let’s reflect back over 2016. Do we know GOD more now than we did a year ago? Have we been diligent in the study and application of HIS Word? If the LORD allows us to live another year will we have built an even closer relationship with HIM?

Happy New Year and Blessings!!!