November 13, 2009

AN ABUNDANT LIFE

Psalm 119:33-72

Scott Beckwith
Friday's Devo

November 13, 2009

Friday's Devo

November 13, 2009

Central Truth

God's Word was given to be observed wholeheartedly.

Key Verse | Psalm 119:34

Give me understanding so that I might observe your law,
and keep it with all my heart.
(Psalm 119:34)

Psalm 119:33-72

He

33  Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes;
    and I will keep it to the end. 1 119:33 Or keep it as my reward
34  Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
    and observe it with my whole heart.
35  Lead me in the path of your commandments,
    for I delight in it.
36  Incline my heart to your testimonies,
    and not to selfish gain!
37  Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
    and give me life in your ways.
38  Confirm to your servant your promise,
    that you may be feared.
39  Turn away the reproach that I dread,
    for your rules are good.
40  Behold, I long for your precepts;
    in your righteousness give me life!

Waw

41  Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD,
    your salvation according to your promise;
42  then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
    for I trust in your word.
43  And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
    for my hope is in your rules.
44  I will keep your law continually,
    forever and ever,
45  and I shall walk in a wide place,
    for I have sought your precepts.
46  I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
    and shall not be put to shame,
47  for I find my delight in your commandments,
    which I love.
48  I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
    and I will meditate on your statutes.

Zayin

49  Remember your word to your servant,
    in which you have made me hope.
50  This is my comfort in my affliction,
    that your promise gives me life.
51  The insolent utterly deride me,
    but I do not turn away from your law.
52  When I think of your rules from of old,
    I take comfort, O LORD.
53  Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
    who forsake your law.
54  Your statutes have been my songs
    in the house of my sojourning.
55  I remember your name in the night, O LORD,
    and keep your law.
56  This blessing has fallen to me,
    that I have kept your precepts.

Heth

57  The LORD is my portion;
    I promise to keep your words.
58  I entreat your favor with all my heart;
    be gracious to me according to your promise.
59  When I think on my ways,
    I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60  I hasten and do not delay
    to keep your commandments.
61  Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
    I do not forget your law.
62  At midnight I rise to praise you,
    because of your righteous rules.
63  I am a companion of all who fear you,
    of those who keep your precepts.
64  The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love;
    teach me your statutes!

Teth

65  You have dealt well with your servant,
    O LORD, according to your word.
66  Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
    for I believe in your commandments.
67  Before I was afflicted I went astray,
    but now I keep your word.
68  You are good and do good;
    teach me your statutes.
69  The insolent smear me with lies,
    but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
70  their heart is unfeeling like fat,
    but I delight in your law.
71  It is good for me that I was afflicted,
    that I might learn your statutes.
72  The law of your mouth is better to me
    than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Footnotes

[1] 119:33 Or keep it as my reward

Dive Deeper | Psalm 119:33-72

I am learning that God’s Word is impacting my life. In my high school Bible class, we have focused on Psalm 119. A verse that sticks out to me is Psalm 119:14: “I rejoice in the lifestyle prescribed by your rules as if they were riches of all kinds.” This verse encourages me because it gives me the faith that if I follow God’s rules, I will have a joyful and abundant life. God's rules are not intended to persecute us or to hinder us from doing the fun things in life, but to give us joy and live our lives through Him. Trying to follow God’s rules in high school, I have made choices to avoid various things, knowing that God has intended an abundant life for me as long as I stay on His path.

As I read this passage, I noticed that the word "law" is mentioned multiple times. So what is God's law? It is His Word and His commandments to us. The law that the psalmist is talking about is the law of the Old Testament. That law consisted of the Ten Commandments and the laws about priests, the tabernacle, and daily life. Now we are under the new covenant that God has made with us by sending his Son to die on the cross for our sins. And God's Word continues to be useful today for teaching, correcting, rebuking, and training. (2 Timothy 3:16) It tells us what we need to know to live a life that honors and pleases God.

Each of us needs God’s Word because we are not perfect, and we need the encouragement and understanding that God is on our side and is always for us. We have grace and mercy from God, and we can rejoice and give thanks to God for that. By following God's Word, we can live mightily in our everyday walk and in the daily time we spend alone with God.

Discussion Questions

1. How do you view God's law?

2. Are you letting God's law transform your heart and mind?

3. How are you living according to God's law?

4. Are you putting God's law into practice in your everyday walk with Him?