Weekly Sermon
This sermon is a companion to a previous sermon:
Taking Heed according to God’s Word (Part 1) – Psalm 119:9-16
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 Psalm 119:9, 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 Psalm 119:9, 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.
Already in the first part of the message, we considered the first four commitments of the psalmist and our responsibility to apply ourselves unto God’s Word. Therein we learned first from Psalm 119:10 that we must commit ourselves to seek after our Lord with all our heart, second from Psalm 119:11 that we must commit ourselves to hide God’s Word in our hearts, third from Psalm 119:13 that we must commit ourselves to declare all the wisdom of God’s Word, and fourth from Psalm 119:14 that we must commit ourselves to rejoice in the way of God’s Word.
In this second part of the message, let us consider the second four commitments of the psalmist and our responsibility to apply God’s Word unto ourselves.
This sermon is a companion to a previous sermon:
Taking Heed according to God’s Word (Part 1) – Psalm 119:9-16
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 Psalm 119:9, 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 Psalm 119:9, 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.
Already in the first part of the message, we considered the first four commitments of the psalmist and our responsibility to apply ourselves unto God’s Word. Therein we learned first from Psalm 119:10 that we must commit ourselves to seek after our Lord with all our heart, second from Psalm 119:11 that we must commit ourselves to hide God’s Word in our hearts, third from Psalm 119:13 that we must commit ourselves to declare all the wisdom of God’s Word, and fourth from Psalm 119:14 that we must commit ourselves to rejoice in the way of God’s Word.
In this second part of the message, let us consider the second four commitments of the psalmist and our responsibility to apply God’s Word unto ourselves.
Applying God’s Word unto Ourselves
1) First, we must commit ourselves to meditate in the precepts of God’s Word.
In the opening half of Psalm 119:15, the psalmist expressed his commitment, saying, “I will meditate in thy precepts.” If we would apply God’s Word unto ourselves, that is – unto our daily living so that our daily purposes and pursuits are conformed thereto, then we must set the meditation of our hearts and minds upon the precepts of God’s holy Word. This is the way that we demonstrate our true love for God’s holy Word – by meditating therein day and night. In Psalm 119:48 the psalmist proclaimed, “My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.” Again in Psalm 119:97 the psalmist exclaimed, “O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” This is the way that we learn the wisdom of God for our lives – by meditating in God’s Word day and night. In Psalm 119:98-100 the psalmist declared, “Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: [How?] for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.” This is the way that we remain steadfast against the slander and persecution of our enemies – by meditating in God’s Word day and night. In Psalm 119:23 the psalmist gave the report, “Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.” Again in Psalm 119:78 the psalmist expressed his commitment, “Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.” This is the way that we find hope in the midst of affliction – by meditating in God’s Word day and night. In Psalm 119:147-148 the psalmist stated, “I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.” This is the way that we grow in the walk of obedience – by meditating in God’s Word day and night. In Joshua 1:8 God’s Word gives the instruction, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Finally, this is the way that we resist the counsels and ways of ungodliness – by meditating in God’s Word day and night. In Psalm 1:1-2 God’s Word pronounces the blessing, saying, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
2) Second, we must commit ourselves to have respect unto the ways of our Lord.
In the closing half of Psalm 119:15, the psalmist expressed his commitment, saying, “And [I will] have respect unto thy ways.” This is the natural result of meditating in the precepts of God’s Word. As we meditate therein day and night, our respect for the wisdom and ways of our Lord will grow higher and higher. Yea, to have respect unto our Lord’s wisdom and ways means that we possess a strong desire to walk in obedience thereto. In Psalm 119:5-6 the psalmist exclaimed, “O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.” To have respect unto our Lord’s wisdom and ways means that we set our priority on faithful obedience thereto. In Psalm 119:113-117 the psalmist proclaimed, “I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.” To have respect unto our Lord’s wisdom and ways means that we maintain a godly fear of any disobedience thereto. In Psalm 119:118-120 the psalmist continued, “ Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood. Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.” To have respect unto our Lord’s wisdom and ways means that we view them always as being right, and that we hate every way that is contrary to them. In Psalm 119:127-128 the psalmist declared, “Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” Finally, to have respect unto our Lord’s wisdom and ways means that we praise the Lord daily for the gift of His Word. In Psalm 119:161-164 the psalmist stated, “Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love. Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.”
3) Third, we must commit ourselves to delight in the statutes of God’s Word.
In the opening half of Psalm 119:16, the psalmist expressed his commitment, saying, “I will delight myself in thy statutes.” This is the natural result of meditating in the precepts of God’s Word and of having respect unto the ways of the Lord. As we meditate therein and have respect thereto, we will come to delight in the statutes and standards that our Lord sets before us through His Holy Word. We will come to delight in the process of meditating in God’s Word day and night, and we will come to delight in respectful obedience unto God’s Word throughout our daily living. Even so, in Psalm 119:17-20 the psalmist prayed, “Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. 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.” Again in Psalm 119:24 the psalmist declared, “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.” Yet again in Psalm 119:54 the psalmist proclaimed, “Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.” And yet again in Psalm 119:103-104 the psalmist exclaimed, “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.” Finally, in Psalm 119:129-131 the psalmist stated, “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.”
4) Fourth, we must commit ourselves not to forget the truth of God’s Word.
In the closing half of Psalm 119:16, the psalmist expressed his commitment, saying, “I will not forget thy word.” This is the natural result of delighting in the statutes of God’s Word. We must commit ourselves to respect and delight in the truth of God’s Word so much that we refuse to set it aside and to turn aside from it. Even so, in Psalm 119:83 the psalmist cried forth, “For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.” Again in Psalm 119:92-93 the psalmist declared, “Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.” Yet again in Psalm 119:109-112 the psalmist stated, “My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law. The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts. Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.” Finally, in Psalm 119:140-142 the psalmist proclaimed, “Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.” Yea, we must commit ourselves not to be forgetful hearers, but to be faithful doers of the Word. (James 1:22-25)
Posted in Weekly Sermon, Psalms, Word of God, Godly Meditation, Obedience to the Lord, Spiritual Joy, Faithfulness
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