November 12, 2009

What is the secret of life?

Psalm 119:1-32

Frank McClain
Thursday's Devo

November 12, 2009

Thursday's Devo

November 12, 2009

Central Truth

The key to a life filled with true peace and joy is found in a life of faith following His written Word.

Key Verse | Psalm 119:2

How blessed are those who observe his rules,
and seek him with all their heart.
(Psalms 119:2)

Psalm 119:1-32

Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet

Aleph

1 119:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem of twenty-two stanzas, following the letters of the Hebrew alphabet; within a stanza, each verse begins with the same Hebrew letter Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
    who walk in the law of the LORD!
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
    who seek him with their whole heart,
who also do no wrong,
    but walk in his ways!
You have commanded your precepts
    to be kept diligently.
Oh that my ways may be steadfast
    in keeping your statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame,
    having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
I will praise you with an upright heart,
    when I learn your righteous rules. 2 119:7 Or your just and righteous decrees; also verses 62, 106, 160, 164
I will keep your statutes;
    do not utterly forsake me!

Beth

How can a young man keep his way pure?
    By guarding it according to your word.
10  With my whole heart I seek you;
    let me not wander from your commandments!
11  I have stored up your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.
12  Blessed are you, O LORD;
    teach me your statutes!
13  With my lips I declare
    all the rules 3 119:13 Or all the just decrees of your mouth.
14  In the way of your testimonies I delight
    as much as in all riches.
15  I will meditate on your precepts
    and fix my eyes on your ways.
16  I will delight in your statutes;
    I will not forget your word.

Gimel

17  Deal bountifully with your servant,
    that I may live and keep your word.
18  Open my eyes, that I may behold
    wondrous things out of your law.
19  I am a sojourner on the earth;
    hide not your commandments from me!
20  My soul is consumed with longing
    for your rules 4 119:20 Or your just decrees; also verses 30, 39, 43, 52, 75, 102, 108, 137, 156, 175 at all times.
21  You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
    who wander from your commandments.
22  Take away from me scorn and contempt,
    for I have kept your testimonies.
23  Even though princes sit plotting against me,
    your servant will meditate on your statutes.
24  Your testimonies are my delight;
    they are my counselors.

Daleth

25  My soul clings to the dust;
    give me life according to your word!
26  When I told of my ways, you answered me;
    teach me your statutes!
27  Make me understand the way of your precepts,
    and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28  My soul melts away for sorrow;
    strengthen me according to your word!
29  Put false ways far from me
    and graciously teach me your law!
30  I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
    I set your rules before me.
31  I cling to your testimonies, O LORD;
    let me not be put to shame!
32  I will run in the way of your commandments
    when you enlarge my heart! 5 119:32 Or for you set my heart free

Footnotes

[1] 119:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem of twenty-two stanzas, following the letters of the Hebrew alphabet; within a stanza, each verse begins with the same Hebrew letter
[2] 119:7 Or your just and righteous decrees; also verses 62, 106, 160, 164
[3] 119:13 Or all the just decrees
[4] 119:20 Or your just decrees; also verses 30, 39, 43, 52, 75, 102, 108, 137, 156, 175
[5] 119:32 Or for you set my heart free

Dive Deeper | Psalm 119:1-32

When we were first told what books would be part of this year's Journey, I really wanted to get assigned a passage from Job. Job was one of the first books of the Bible that I ever read, and I have enjoyed it ever since. I prayed for whatever God wanted for me because I knew He knew what I needed to address, but I still wanted Job. I guess God knew better.

When I sat down to study this passage in Psalms, I had to pray and search my heart and the Scripture for what to say. The thing that stood out in these verses was the repetitive mention of obedience to God's Word. Every single verse referred to it in some way. It might seem that a life filled with obedience to God's Word and effort to follow all His laws, precepts, commands, and ordinances would be rather boring and filled with legalism, but these verses say otherwise.

Several verses speak of delight and joy. The first two verses refer to being blessed by following God's Word. Obedience to Scripture is also described in several instances as a means to not be ashamed. Those all sound like good things to me. Then there's this one: "I rejoice in the lifestyle prescribed by your rules as if they were riches of all kinds." (Psalm 119:14) Comparing "rules" to "riches"? That's certainly a bold move in our world!

But how are we supposed to be able to obey what we don't know? The passage answers that, too. We learn by spending time in God's Word, studying, meditating, and praying, as verses 11, 15, 23, and 27 explain.

These verses speak to all of us. They confront real people who want to do well, but who struggle with the pressures of life. I am so grateful for God's mercy and love, by which He gave us His written Word!

Discussion Questions

1. Why is praying, studying, and meditating on God's Word stressed so strongly in this passage?

2. What other Bible passages (not just in Psalms) mirror these teachings?

3. If it's so important to store up God's Word in my heart, what can I do to improve in that area? (Psalm 119:11)

4. Finally, the tough question: Have I prayed, studied, memorized, and meditated on some passage of Scripture today? This week?