Bible Pathways 7/15/2001

July 15

Read Psalms 119

The purpose of the longest chapter in the Bible is to focus our attention on the Only Guide to Life. In it, God has provided everything we need to know to be the person that He planned us to be and to accomplish the purpose for which He created us. Equally indispensable is knowing our Creator, Savior, and coming Messiah King. It opens with: Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the Law of the Lord. . . . and who seek Him with the whole heart (Psalms 119:1-2). This means much more than just avoiding sin or living a good life. The blessed are those who diligently seek God Himself . . . with the whole heart.

God has provided One Infallible Guide to Life by which we may prepare ourselves to serve Him. The psalmist was led to say that God has provided a way whereby we may be cleansed from sin and all that defiles, by taking heed (keeping and conforming one's life) . . . to Your Word (vs 9). The blessed can say: With my whole heart I have sought You: O let me not wander from Your commandments. Your Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against You (vss 10-11). Some have a problem with procrastinating to some more convenient time. But, it is by taking daily delight in His Word, as much as in all riches (vs 14), that our fellowship with the Lord is gained and maintained. The psalmist continues: I will not forget Your Word (vs 16). This kind of forgetting is more than a momentary memory lapse. It begins by gradually drifting away from God, which results in becoming so involved in other interests that we neglect reading His Word altogether.

There is a peace . . . that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7) for all who pray daily: Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your Law. . . . Teach me, O Lord. . . . Give me understanding, and I. . . . shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of Your commandments . . . and not to covetousness (Psalms 119:18,27,33-36). Such a life may appear to those who are worldly-minded as legalism and bondage. But all true believers confidently proclaim: I will delight myself in Your commandments, which I have loved (vs 47). Because of this, I have something to sing about regardless of circumstances (vs 54). The child of God can also say: Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now I have kept Your Word. . . . It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Your statutes (vss 67,71).

Though he had been afflicted, the psalmist never found fault with God, nor did he ever doubt the Lord's wisdom and justice. And, for many, it is in times like these that we recognize that we have made wrong choices which led to bad consequences. This is when we recognize that the Bible is priceless, for it alone reveals life's true values and prepares us for eternity. I rejoice at thy Word, as one that findeth great spoil (treasure). . . . My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly (Psalms 119:162,167).

Christ Revealed: By the psalmist who delighted in the commandments of God (Psalms 119:47). Christ said: I came down from Heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him that sent Me (John 6:38; 15:10).

Word Studies: 119:1 undefiled means blameless; 119:7 uprightness of heart means sincere intentions; 119:25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust means I am discouraged; quicken thou me means restore my life; 119:28 melteth means is weary because of grief; 119:83 become like a bottle in the smoke means shrivel like a wineskin in the smoke.

Prayer:

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