WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

July 6, 2017

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Psalm 119:57-64

Caleb Read

Central Truth

Our response to the love of Christ should be a hastening to obey His commandments.

I hasten and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
(Psalm 119:60)

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!

The day had finally arrived—May 31, 2014—the day I married my beautiful wife. I knew for several months this day was coming and was elated when it finally arrived. I had been ready to marry this girl from the moment we got engaged. There was plenty of planning and preparing to do for this big day, but all I wanted was to marry my bride and as soon as possible.

What if we thought of Jesus in this way? What if we so greatly anticipated His return that every day we eagerly hoped for it? There is another wedding day coming, and it’s between Christ and His bride, the Church (Revelation 19:7). What should our response look like to this kind of love?

The answer is found in Psalm 119. The psalmist recognizes God’s deep love for him and responds, "I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments." (Verse 60) For the psalmist, God’s love provokes obedience to His commandments. The psalmist knows the best life is lived in obedience to God, and not his flesh. Paul talks about this later in the book of Galatians where he says, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16)

If I’m honest, my response to God’s love is not always obedience to His commandments. Too often I choose to gratify my flesh rather than walk in obedience to God. Too easily I choose comforts of this world rather than submitting to the eternal glorious King. My prayer is that you and I will believe the words of Jesus when He says, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10b)

Jesus sacrificed Himself so that all who believe and trust in Him as their Savior will have eternal life through Him. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and He wants a personal relationship with you.

How will you respond to this kind of love?

1. Do you truly believe full and abundant life is found in Christ? Why or why not?

2. What areas of your life are you choosing obedience to your flesh instead of obedience to God? See Galatians 5:17.

3. What are some practical steps you can take to remove idols or distractions that keep you from obeying the commandments of God?

4. How can you involve community to hold you accountable to obeying the commandments of God?