Bible Study - All In (3) - Committed to HIS Word - Psalm 119:1-11 - November 1, 2020

 

Bible Study – All In (3) – Committed to HIS Word – November 1, 2020

This is lesson three in our series entitled, “All In: A Life of Commitment.”

Our focus scripture is Psalm 119:1-11.

GOD’S Word gives trustworthy guidance for all of life.

Our overarching statement is, “GOD’S Word gives trustworthy guidance for all of life.” These are words on a page until we experience the reality of their truth. Where do we experience this reality? We must first seek GOD and desire for HIM to reveal Himself to us in the “eyes of our hearts.” The Apostle Paul reveals to us that the most secret place in our being, is the “eyes of our heart” in Ephesians 1:17-19:

¹⁷ I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,^[g] would give you the Spirit^[h] of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength.

“The eyes of your heart” is the most secret place in our being. It is where truth meets reality and trust is either confirmed or rejected.

David, wrote Psalm 119. It is what is referred to as an acrostic, an alphabetic poem. Much thought has to go into writing such a poem. The Hebrew alphabet has 22 letters our alphabet has 26 letters. In this case, David, began with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet which is “aleph” and penned eight verses. Thus, eight times twenty-two equals 176 verses. The second letter of the Hebrew alphabet is “beth” and he penned eight more verses and the third letter is “gimel.” David went through the Hebrew alphabet. He had to consider each letter and seek GOD’S message in each letter of the alphabet. That requires an intimate relationship with GOD. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Psalm 119:1-4:

Delight in God’s Word

א Aleph

¹ How^[a] happy are those whose way is blameless,
who walk according to the Lord’s instruction!
² Happy are those who keep his decrees
and seek him with all their heart.
³ They do nothing wrong;
they walk in his ways.
⁴ You have commanded that your precepts
be diligently kept.

Happiness and completion are centered around the Hebrew word “Happy.” The Hebrew word for “happy” carries the idea of being “fully satisfied.” Your relationship with GOD is complete because you know GOD and GOD knows you. Nothing is hidden from GOD. You are an open book before GOD. You walk in step with GOD because your desire is to live/walk according to GOD’S instruction.

The word “blameless” comes from a root word that means “to be complete.” It does not imply sinless perfection. It does carry the idea of a person whose life is in harmony with GOD’S purpose.

When a person walks/lives according to GOD’S purpose, his or her desire is to know and fully obey what GOD reveals.

This means that there are no barriers between you and GOD. You can have a personal, loving and intimate relationship with GOD. GOD is not to be feared, as to be afraid of, but to be sought as a friend WHO desires the very best for you as you live life upon earth.

A person’s heart, the eyes of his or her heart, must be in harmony with the heart and desires of GOD and that means hide nothing from GOD.

GOD hates sin. When David penned these words, JESUS had not come into the world to pay, in full, the penalty for sin. David longed for the day when he could experience what we, as Spirit-born Christians have since JESUS paid, in full, for the sins of all who place their faith in HIM.

David knew there was more to experience in his relationship with GOD. That more came at Pentecost when JESUS sent The Holy Spirit to indwell all who place their faith in JESUS as their Savior. Not only does the Holy Spirit confirm our faith in JESUS but HE is our guarantee that we are GOD’S Son or Daughter and are guaranteed eternal life. The Holy Spirit is every Christian’s assurance of life after earthly death.

David was seeking a permanent relationship with GOD. Let’s read on---

Let’s read Psalm 119:5-8:

⁵ If only my ways were committed
to keeping your statutes!
⁶ Then I would not be ashamed
when I think about all your commands.
⁷ I will praise you with an upright heart
when I learn your righteous judgments.
⁸ I will keep your statutes;
never abandon me.

“If only my ways,” or my human nature was changed from flesh desires to Godly desires, life would be so much better to live as GOD desires. David knew there was more to being in right relationship with GOD than mechanically obeying the statutes of GOD. It is a relationship. Is GOD your very best friend? A friend you respect and appreciate HIS counsel; A friend WHO will tell you the truth.

David thought when he learned how GOD judged our activity upon earth as humans, he would be able to walk the talk. In the meantime, David would keep GOD’S statutes with the request that GOD not abandon him while he figured out how to live as GOD desired for him to live.

GOD reveals to those who have placed their faith in JESUS that HE will never leave us or forsake us. Since JESUS gave HIS sinless life upon the cross and JESUS sent the Holy Spirit to earth to indwell all who place their faith in JESUS, GOD lives within all Spirit-born Christians. Spirit-born Christians are the temple of GOD as it is written in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:

¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? ²⁰ For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body ^[a]and in your spirit, which are God’s.

David longed for this relationship and it is available to all who ask JESUS to forgive them for their sins and for JESUS to come into their hearts and lives. Does this mean no more issues in our lives? No! But it does mean GOD is in lock step with us as we face the issues of life.

Let’s read Psalm 119:9-11:

ב Beth

⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping your^[b] word.
¹⁰ I have sought you with all my heart;
don’t let me wander from your commands.
¹¹ I have treasured your word in my heart
so that I may not sin against you.

David asked himself a pointed question, “How can a young man keep his way or life or walk pure?”

There was but one way and that was, “By keeping Your Word!”

David confessed that he had diligently sought the right relationship with GOD but he needed more than his strength. He needed GOD’S strength and power. David desired more in his relationship with GOD.

David knew that GOD’S Word had power and the strength to overcome his human desire to sin when he applied it in his life. David discovered the secret. He “treasured” GOD’S Word to help him live/walk through life as GOD desired for him to live/walk.

JESUS knew to pay for the penalty for sin, HE had to shed HIS sinless blood. Why? The scripture reveals in Hebrews 9:22 - ²² And according to the law almost all things are ^[a]purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no ^[b]remission. But there was another vital issue that had to be conquered. HE had to conquer the consequence of sin, eternal death.

JESUS shed blood not only paid, in full, for the sins of all who will place their faith in HIM, but HIS death satisfied the wrath of GOD because of sin and opened the path for all Spirit-born Christians to experience GOD’S Grace. Then to top it all off, GOD raised JESUS from the physically dead to eternal life. The resurrection is every person’s proof and guarantee of eternal life which is confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Romans 8:16 - ¹⁶ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

David knew the power that was in GOD’S Word which foretold the coming of the Messiah. DAVID LONGED FOR THAT TIME AND WE CAN EXPERIENCE IT AS SPIRIT-BORN CHRISTIANS. CHRIST in every Christian is our hope and power – Colossians 1:27 - ²⁷ To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: ^[a]which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.  

Do you desire to know GOD? Then HE will reveal truth to you.

I know of people who are trying to break free from addictions. They often carry scripture verses with them to help them fight the temptation to yield to an addiction. Yes, GOD’S Word is powerful. Scripture reveals to us in Hebrews 4:12:

¹² For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  

This is why we hide GOD’S Word in our hearts. That is why we treasure GOD’S Word. GOD’S Word is our weapon against Satan when he brings evil desires into our minds and hearts. We are armed with the indwelling Holy Spirit Who is greater that Satan as written in 1 John 4:1-4:

4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ² By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, ³ and every spirit that does not confess ^[a]that Jesus ^[b]Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

⁴ You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world. 

False notions come into our minds that may seem logical but, as Christians, we all need discernment to separate truth from fiction.

Discern what I write, what you read, what you listen to and what you hear preached because the days are evil and Satan is eager to destroy you as a Christian or you as a seeker of eternal life and one who places your faith in JESUS. Where you spend eternity is at stake. Choose wisely.

How can we live life as GOD desires for us to live it? First, we must place our faith in JESUS. To help us build on that foundation, we must treasure GOD’s Word and keep it in our hearts. Truth exposes error. GOD’S Word is truth.

Does that mean we will never sin as Christians? NO! What does 1 John 1:8-9 reveal to us - ⁸ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

As Spirit-born Christians, GOD extends to us, HIS Grace. So, why do we have to confess our sins? How did we begin our lesson? Being open and honest with GOD hiding nothing. HE knows anyway. Be honest and open with GOD, HE loves that because HE first loved you and sent HIS Only SON, JESUS to give HIS sinless life for you. Today is the day of salvation. Ask JESUS to forgive you for your sins and to come into your life. If you made that decision some time ago but have not been living for JESUS, then confess it and return to living truth. Remember HE never leaves you or forsakes you. Once GOD’S Child always GOD’S Child. Welcome Home!

Blessings!!!