Weekly Sermon
Psalm 119:9-16 reads, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.”
In the opening portion of verse 9, the psalmist expressed the spiritual concern and burden of his heart with the question, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?” He desired to know how he himself, as a young man of God, might have his way cleansed and might continue in the cleansed way. In the closing portion of verse 9, the answer of God’s Word is delivered – “By taking heed thereto according to thy [God’s] word.” Through this principle we lean that we may have our way cleansed and may continue in the cleansed way by taking heed to conform our way in accord with the standard of God’s Word. We must give our attention and our obedience to the Word of God. Certainly this will require commitment on our part. It will not just happen. We must specifically prepare ourselves and commit ourselves every day to the task.
So then, what is involved in the commitment to take heed unto our way in accord with God’s Word? Throughout Psalm 119:10-16 the psalmist, this young man of God, presented eight points of commitment that he had made in this matter. Through his example we learn what is involved in the commitment to take heed according to God’s Word. Now, the eight points of commitment that the psalmist made may be divided grammatically into two parts. The psalmist’s first four commitments he presented in the past tense as those commitments that he had already done. In them we find our responsibility to apply ourselves unto God’s Word. We must apply ourselves to make our Lord and His Word the governing priority and principle of our hearts. The psalmist’s second four commitments he presented in the future tense as those commitments that he intended to do. In them we find our responsibility to apply God’s Word unto ourselves. We must apply the truth of God’s Word to our daily living so that our daily purposes and pursuits are conformed thereto.
In this first part of the message, let us consider the first four commitments of the psalmist and our responsibility to apply ourselves unto God’s Word.
Psalm 119:9-16 reads, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.”
In the opening portion of verse 9, the psalmist expressed the spiritual concern and burden of his heart with the question, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?” He desired to know how he himself, as a young man of God, might have his way cleansed and might continue in the cleansed way. In the closing portion of verse 9, the answer of God’s Word is delivered – “By taking heed thereto according to thy [God’s] word.” Through this principle we lean that we may have our way cleansed and may continue in the cleansed way by taking heed to conform our way in accord with the standard of God’s Word. We must give our attention and our obedience to the Word of God. Certainly this will require commitment on our part. It will not just happen. We must specifically prepare ourselves and commit ourselves every day to the task.
So then, what is involved in the commitment to take heed unto our way in accord with God’s Word? Throughout Psalm 119:10-16 the psalmist, this young man of God, presented eight points of commitment that he had made in this matter. Through his example we learn what is involved in the commitment to take heed according to God’s Word. Now, the eight points of commitment that the psalmist made may be divided grammatically into two parts. The psalmist’s first four commitments he presented in the past tense as those commitments that he had already done. In them we find our responsibility to apply ourselves unto God’s Word. We must apply ourselves to make our Lord and His Word the governing priority and principle of our hearts. The psalmist’s second four commitments he presented in the future tense as those commitments that he intended to do. In them we find our responsibility to apply God’s Word unto ourselves. We must apply the truth of God’s Word to our daily living so that our daily purposes and pursuits are conformed thereto.
In this first part of the message, let us consider the first four commitments of the psalmist and our responsibility to apply ourselves unto God’s Word.
Applying Ourselves unto God’s Word
1) First, we must commit ourselves to seek after our Lord with all our heart.
In Psalm 119:10 the psalmist expressed his commitment, saying, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.” This truly is the foundational commitment for our hearts and lives. This is the commitment out of which all of the other spiritual commitments flow. This is the commitment that motivates all of the other spiritual commitments. It all begins with our daily commitment to seek after the Lord our God with all our heart. It all begins with our daily commitment to walk in fellowship with God our heavenly Father. It all begins with our daily commitment to abide in our Lord Jesus Christ, and allow Him to abide in us. It all begins with our daily commitment to yield ourselves unto the filling influence of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Daily we must proceed with the heart burden of Psalm 63:1 – “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.” Daily our souls must follow hard after the Lord our God. We must commit ourselves unto the fellowship of our Lord above all other friendships. We must commit ourselves unto the pleasure of our Lord above all other pursuits. We must commit ourselves unto the approval of the Lord above all other accomplishments. Daily we must commit ourselves to love Him, to cleave unto Him, to walk in His will, to serve Him, to submit ourselves unto Him, and to obey His voice. Without this daily commitment, we will not have the foundational motivation to pursue a cleansed way and to take heed according to God’s Word.
2) Second, we must commit ourselves to hide God’s Word in our hearts.
In Psalm 119:11 the psalmist expressed his commitment, saying, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” This is the natural result of seeking after the Lord our God with all our heart. When we truly seek after our Lord with all our heart, we will be moved to hide His Word in our hearts. So then, what does it mean for us to hide God’s Word in our hearts? It means that we must allow the truth of God’s Word to take root in our hearts as the governing principle of our thoughts, attitudes, motivations, and decisions. It means that we must receive the truth, reproof, correction, and instruction of God’s Word with all meekness of spirit and with all readiness of mind. (James 1:21; Acts 17:11) It means that we must incline our ears and apply our hearts to learn the wisdom and understanding of God’s Word. (Proverbs 2:1-2) It means that we must allow the truth of God’s Word to dwell in our hearts richly in all wisdom. (Colossians 3:16) It means that the wisdom and understanding of God’s Word will be pleasant unto our souls. (Proverbs 2:10) Then, when the truth of God’s Word is hid in our hearts as the governing principle of our hearts and lives, it will keep us from sinning against our Lord. It will guard our daily walk of fellowship with our Lord. It will keep our steps from slipping into the miry clay of unrighteousness. It will guard us from the ways of sin and from the temptations of this world. It will guide us and keep us in the paths of righteousness.
3) Third, we must commit ourselves to declare all the wisdom of God’s Word.
In Psalm 119:13 the psalmist expressed his commitment, saying, “With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.” This is the natural result of hiding God’s Word in our hearts. When we hide God’s Word in our hearts, it will become the abundant treasure of our hearts. Then out of that abundant treasure of our hearts, our mouth will be able to speak forth the wisdom of God’s Word. (Psalm 37:30-31) Yea, then we must commit ourselves to declare the gospel of Christ and the Word of God without shame. (Psalm 119:46; Romans 1:16) Then we must commit ourselves to speak “that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29) Then we must commit ourselves to speak forth the wisdom of God’s Word for the spiritual benefit and health of others. (Proverbs 10:11; 12:18)
4) Fourth, we must commit ourselves to rejoice in the way of God’s Word.
In Psalm 119:14 the psalmist expressed his commitment, saying, “I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.” This also is the natural result of hiding God’s Word in our hearts. When we hide God’s Word in our hearts, we will find abundant joy in the way of obedience. Then we will delight to do God’s will as revealed in His Word. Even so, we must not simply commit ourselves to walk in the way of God’s Word, but also to rejoice in the way of God’s Word. We must commit ourselves to rejoice and delight greatly in the way of obedience to our Lord’s commands. In Psalm 112:1 the blessing is pronounced, “Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.” Furthermore, in Psalm 119:33-35 the psalmist lifted up his prayer unto the Lord, saying, “Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.” Again in verse 47 the psalmist proclaimed, “And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.” Yet again in verses 69-72 the psalmist presented the commitment of his heart, saying, “The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.” Finally, in verse 143 the psalmist declared, “Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.” In like manner, we also must commit ourselves to take delight in the path of our Lord’s commandments, as much as in all the riches of the world, even in the midst of trouble and anguish.
1) First, we must commit ourselves to seek after our Lord with all our heart.
In Psalm 119:10 the psalmist expressed his commitment, saying, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.” This truly is the foundational commitment for our hearts and lives. This is the commitment out of which all of the other spiritual commitments flow. This is the commitment that motivates all of the other spiritual commitments. It all begins with our daily commitment to seek after the Lord our God with all our heart. It all begins with our daily commitment to walk in fellowship with God our heavenly Father. It all begins with our daily commitment to abide in our Lord Jesus Christ, and allow Him to abide in us. It all begins with our daily commitment to yield ourselves unto the filling influence of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Daily we must proceed with the heart burden of Psalm 63:1 – “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.” Daily our souls must follow hard after the Lord our God. We must commit ourselves unto the fellowship of our Lord above all other friendships. We must commit ourselves unto the pleasure of our Lord above all other pursuits. We must commit ourselves unto the approval of the Lord above all other accomplishments. Daily we must commit ourselves to love Him, to cleave unto Him, to walk in His will, to serve Him, to submit ourselves unto Him, and to obey His voice. Without this daily commitment, we will not have the foundational motivation to pursue a cleansed way and to take heed according to God’s Word.
2) Second, we must commit ourselves to hide God’s Word in our hearts.
In Psalm 119:11 the psalmist expressed his commitment, saying, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” This is the natural result of seeking after the Lord our God with all our heart. When we truly seek after our Lord with all our heart, we will be moved to hide His Word in our hearts. So then, what does it mean for us to hide God’s Word in our hearts? It means that we must allow the truth of God’s Word to take root in our hearts as the governing principle of our thoughts, attitudes, motivations, and decisions. It means that we must receive the truth, reproof, correction, and instruction of God’s Word with all meekness of spirit and with all readiness of mind. (James 1:21; Acts 17:11) It means that we must incline our ears and apply our hearts to learn the wisdom and understanding of God’s Word. (Proverbs 2:1-2) It means that we must allow the truth of God’s Word to dwell in our hearts richly in all wisdom. (Colossians 3:16) It means that the wisdom and understanding of God’s Word will be pleasant unto our souls. (Proverbs 2:10) Then, when the truth of God’s Word is hid in our hearts as the governing principle of our hearts and lives, it will keep us from sinning against our Lord. It will guard our daily walk of fellowship with our Lord. It will keep our steps from slipping into the miry clay of unrighteousness. It will guard us from the ways of sin and from the temptations of this world. It will guide us and keep us in the paths of righteousness.
3) Third, we must commit ourselves to declare all the wisdom of God’s Word.
In Psalm 119:13 the psalmist expressed his commitment, saying, “With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.” This is the natural result of hiding God’s Word in our hearts. When we hide God’s Word in our hearts, it will become the abundant treasure of our hearts. Then out of that abundant treasure of our hearts, our mouth will be able to speak forth the wisdom of God’s Word. (Psalm 37:30-31) Yea, then we must commit ourselves to declare the gospel of Christ and the Word of God without shame. (Psalm 119:46; Romans 1:16) Then we must commit ourselves to speak “that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29) Then we must commit ourselves to speak forth the wisdom of God’s Word for the spiritual benefit and health of others. (Proverbs 10:11; 12:18)
4) Fourth, we must commit ourselves to rejoice in the way of God’s Word.
In Psalm 119:14 the psalmist expressed his commitment, saying, “I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.” This also is the natural result of hiding God’s Word in our hearts. When we hide God’s Word in our hearts, we will find abundant joy in the way of obedience. Then we will delight to do God’s will as revealed in His Word. Even so, we must not simply commit ourselves to walk in the way of God’s Word, but also to rejoice in the way of God’s Word. We must commit ourselves to rejoice and delight greatly in the way of obedience to our Lord’s commands. In Psalm 112:1 the blessing is pronounced, “Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.” Furthermore, in Psalm 119:33-35 the psalmist lifted up his prayer unto the Lord, saying, “Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.” Again in verse 47 the psalmist proclaimed, “And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.” Yet again in verses 69-72 the psalmist presented the commitment of his heart, saying, “The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.” Finally, in verse 143 the psalmist declared, “Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.” In like manner, we also must commit ourselves to take delight in the path of our Lord’s commandments, as much as in all the riches of the world, even in the midst of trouble and anguish.
Posted in Weekly Sermon, Psalms, Fellowship with the Lord, Word of God, Spiritual Guidance, Godly Communication, Godly Witnessing, Spiritual Joy, Obedience to the Lord
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