October 19, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 14): Guidance

The Psalm of the Word

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.

I have sworn and I will confirm it,
That I will keep Your righteous ordinances.

I am exceedingly afflicted;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.

O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord,
And teach me Your ordinances.

My life is continually in my hand,
Yet I do not forget Your law.

The wicked have laid a snare for me,
Yet I have not gone astray from Your precepts.

I have inherited Your testimonies forever,
For they are the joy of my heart.

I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes
Forever, even to the end.

(Psalm 119:105-112)

Many people wonder why we are here and where we are going. The word of God provides the answers for us and guides us in the path we should go.
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October 12, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 13): Understanding

The Psalm of the Word

O how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.

Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
For they are ever mine.

I have more insight than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.

I understand more than the aged,
Because I have observed Your precepts.

I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
That I may keep Your word.

I have not turned aside from Your ordinances,
For You Yourself have taught me.

How sweet are Your words to my taste!
Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

From Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.

(Psalm 119:97-104)

God meant for His word to be understood and it can be understood by anyone. Furthermore, with the right attitude, we can continue to progress in our understanding, even to the point that we surpass those who might be expected to be “older and wiser” than we are. So let us consider what the psalmist said about the understanding we gain from God’s word.
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October 5, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 12): Stability

The Psalm of the Word

Forever, O Lord,
Your word is settled in heaven.

Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations;
You established the earth, and it stands.

They stand this day according to Your ordinances,
For all things are Your servants.

If Your law had not been my delight,
Then I would have perished in my affliction.

I will never forget Your precepts,
For by them You have revived me.

I am Yours, save me;
For I have sought Your precepts.

The wicked wait for me to destroy me;
I shall diligently consider Your testimonies.

I have seen a limit to all perfection;
Your commandment is exceedingly broad.

(Psalm 119:89-96)

The world around us is constantly changing. Yet God’s word is “firmly fixed in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89, ESV). This allows us to have stability in our lives if we follow God’s word.
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September 29, 2015

Mediocre Christianity

Swamp

The church in Laodicea was condemned for being “lukewarm” (Revelation 3:16). They thought they were in “need of nothing” (Revelation 3:17), but they were not healthy spiritually. Jesus told them they needed to “be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19).

At times, we may be like the Laodiceans – not what we should be as Christians, but not completely unfaithful either. We may not be zealously serving God, but are also not willfully rejecting Him either. Instead, we are in a state of spiritual mediocrity. What does this look like in our individual lives? When we find ourselves in such a state, how can we change it? That is what we will consider in this article.
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September 28, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 11): Persecution

The Psalm of the Word

My soul languishes for Your salvation;
I wait for Your word.

My eyes fail with longing for Your word,
While I say, “When will You comfort me?”

Though I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
I do not forget Your statutes.

How many are the days of Your servant?
When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?

The arrogant have dug pits for me,
Men who are not in accord with Your law.

All Your commandments are faithful;
They have persecuted me with a lie; help me!

They almost destroyed me on earth,
But as for me, I did not forsake Your precepts.

Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,
So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

(Psalm 119:81-88)

This lesson is about the persecution that comes from following God’s word. This is important for us to remember as we will face persecution as well (2 Timothy 3:12). These verses not only speak of the reality of persecution, but the hope we have despite of it.
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September 8, 2015

Imagining Jesus

Jesus and the moneychangers

“The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables” (John 2:13-15).

When Jesus came to Jerusalem for the Passover, He “cleansed” the temple, driving out the money changers and those selling animals. His actions must have been quite a shock to those who were driven out that day, as well as to those who were there to witness the event. Of course, many today would also be shocked to read this in the Bible.
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September 7, 2015

The Psalm of the Word (Part 8): Portion

The Psalm of the Word

The Lord is my portion;
I have promised to keep Your words.

I sought Your favor with all my heart;
Be gracious to me according to Your word.

I considered my ways
And turned my feet to Your testimonies.

I hastened and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.

The cords of the wicked have encircled me,
But I have not forgotten Your law.

At midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You
Because of Your righteous ordinances.

I am a companion of all those who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.

The earth is full of Your lovingkindness, O Lord;
Teach me Your statutes.

(Psalm 119:57-64)

The theme of this lesson is David’s statement, “The Lord is my portion” (Psalm 119:57). What does this mean? And how is it connected to the overall theme of this psalm (the word of God)? Let us consider these questions.
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