Weekly Sermon
Psalm 119:18-20 reads, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.”
Through these three verses, the psalmist, this young man of God, this faithful servant of the Lord, expressed the burden of his heart for the Lord’s guidance in his life. Even so, in these three verses we find nine characteristics concerning the burden of the Lord’s servant for the Lord’s guidance. Thus if we would also walk as faithful servants of our Lord, we must also maintain a burden for our Lord’s guidance in our lives. Yea, we must also maintain these same characteristics in our burden for our Lord’s guidance.
Psalm 119:18-20 reads, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.”
Through these three verses, the psalmist, this young man of God, this faithful servant of the Lord, expressed the burden of his heart for the Lord’s guidance in his life. Even so, in these three verses we find nine characteristics concerning the burden of the Lord’s servant for the Lord’s guidance. Thus if we would also walk as faithful servants of our Lord, we must also maintain a burden for our Lord’s guidance in our lives. Yea, we must also maintain these same characteristics in our burden for our Lord’s guidance.
The Need of the Lord’s Servant
In the opening line of Psalm 119:18, this servant of the Lord expressed his need unto the Lord in prayer, saying, “Open thou mine eyes.” He acknowledged a truth that we all need to acknowledge. He acknowledged the truth that we need the eyes of our understanding to be opened. He acknowledged the truth that we live in a world of spiritual darkness, and that the eyes of our own spiritual understanding have been blinded by our own sinful nature. He acknowledged the truth that it is foolish to be wise in our sin blinded eyes. Thus he also acknowledged the truth that we need our spiritually darkened eyes to be opened, lest we wander blindly through the spiritual darkness of this world. He acknowledged the truth that we need our spiritually darkened eyes to be opened, lest we stumble and fall along the path of life unto our own destruction.
The Focus of the Lord’s Servant
Acknowledging his need for the eyes of his spiritual understanding to be opened, this servant of the Lord also understood the one true Source by which his need could be met. Even so, in his need he prayed unto the Lord, saying, “Open thou mine eyes.” So many individuals look unto so many different sources to provide them with understanding and wisdom for life. However, this servant of the Lord understood that there is only one true Source for the understanding and wisdom that we need. He set his focus upon the Lord his God. Even so, Proverbs 2:6 declares, “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” In like manner, in the opening portion of John 16:13, our Lord Jesus Christ stated, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.”
The Priority of the Lord’s Servant
Because this servant of the Lord understood that the Lord was the true Source for the understanding and wisdom that he needed, he set his priority upon learning the truth of God’s Word. In Psalm 119:18 the psalmist continued his request, saying, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” He had set the priority of his heart upon the truth of God’s law. Again in Psalm 119:20 he proclaimed, “My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.” Yet again in the closing half of Psalm 119:23, he declared, “But thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.” Finally, in Psalm 119:24 he declared, “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.” Yes, he had set his priority on the truth of God’s Word.
The Conviction of the Lord’s Servant
The reason that this servant of the Lord set his priority on the truth of God’s Word is because he had full conviction of heart that there is wondrous truth and wisdom to be gleaned from God’s Word. Again from Psalm 119:18 we hear his request, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Even so, in Psalm 19:7-11 God’s Word gives the report, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” In like manner, in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 God’s Word gives the report, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
The Recognition of the Lord’s Servant
What was the motivational reason that this servant of the Lord acknowledged his need for spiritual understanding, set his focus upon the Lord as his Source for that spiritual understanding, and set his priority upon the truth and wisdom of God’s Word? His motivational reason was his recognition of the truth that we are only strangers in this earth. In the opening half of Psalm 119:19, he declared, “I am a stranger in the earth.” He recognized the truth that we are not of this world and that this world is not our home. He recognized the truth that we are only pilgrims in this world, sojourning here only for a little time. He recognized the truth that we are only pilgrims in this world, sojourning here as the servants of the Lord. Thus he acknowledged his need for spiritual understanding, in order that he might serve the Lord aright throughout his sojourn in the earth.
The Burden of the Lord’s Servant
Acknowledging his need for spiritual understanding, setting his focus on the Lord as his true Source, setting his priority upon God’s word, being convinced of the truth and wisdom to be found in God’s Word, and recognizing his pilgrimage in this world as the Lord’s servant, this servant of the Lord had a deep burden of heart that the truth of God’s Word not be hid from him. In the closing half of Psalm 119:19, he lifted up his burden and plea unto the Lord, saying, “Hide not thy commandments from me.” He understood fully that we cannot afford to go forward without the truth, instruction, wisdom, and guidance of God’s Word in our lives. He understood fully that we cannot afford to be without the truth, instruction, wisdom, and guidance of God’s Word as a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.
The Interest of the Lord’s Servant
In lifting up his burden and plea unto the Lord in the closing half of Psalm 119:19, this servant of the Lord revealed his specific interest in the matter, saying, “Hide not thy commandments from me.” His specific interest was in the instructions, restrictions, and admonitions of the Lord’s commandments. Certainly he had interest in the doctrinal truth and the blessed promises of God’s Word. Yet he only had interest in these things as one who was walking in obedience to the authoritative commandments of God’s Word. This servant of the Lord desired the Lord’s guidance in his life. Therefore, he set his interest in the Lord’s commandments, to learn and to follow them.
The Desire of the Lord’s Servant
In all, this servant of the Lord had a driving desire for the truth and wisdom of God’s Word. In Psalm 119:20 he proclaimed, “My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.” Again in Psalm 119:40 he proclaimed, “Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.” Yet again in Psalm 119:129-131 he proclaimed, “Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.” Even so, in 1 Peter 2:2 God’s Word instructs us, saying, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” Yes, the truth and wisdom of God’s Word is wonderful and gives guiding light unto our hearts and lives. Indeed, the truth and wisdom of God’s Word is spiritually healthy for us so that we might grow spiritually thereby. Therefore, we should indeed maintain a driving desire for the truth and wisdom of God’s Word.
The Faithfulness of the Lord’s Servant
Yes, we are to have a desire for the truth and wisdom of God’s Word. Yet that desire is not simply to be a momentary desire. Rather, that desire is to be a faithful desire that we maintain at all times throughout our entire Christian walk. Again in Psalm 119:20 we hear the psalmist as he expressed his driving desire for the truth and wisdom of God’s Word, saying, “My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.” Even so, in Psalm 119:112 this servant of the Lord declared, “I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.” Furthermore, in Deuteronomy 5:29 our Lord exclaimed, “O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!” Finally, in James 1:25 God’s Word announces, “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
Posted in Weekly Sermon, Psalms, Prayer, Spiritual Guidance, Word of God, Children of God, Obedience to the Lord, Godly Priorities, Faithfulness
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