Learning How To Live Wisely
Psalm 119:1-8
You can listen to a full recording of this message at http://www.nec.org.au/listen-to-a-sermon-series/responding-to-god-psalms/
Introduction to Reading
As we continue our series of sermons which focus on the Psalms we are going to turn our attention to last of the seven genres. Those who have been here for most of the series will, by now, be very familiar with the genres.
Hymns
Confidence
Remembrance
Kingship
Lament
Thanksgiving
Wisdom
Last on our list is the Wisdom Psalms. The purpose of these Psalms is to give us concrete examples of how God wants us to live our life. Often these Psalms focus on consequences.
If you live a certain way then this and this will happen.
If you live a different way then something else will happen instead.
Wisdom Psalms call us to remember our responsibilities as we seek to serve God and they help us to take our knowledge of God and turn it into a relationship with God.
Some of the Wisdom Psalms include:-
Psalm 1
Psalm 12
Psalm 15
Psalm 45
Psalm 49
Psalm 53
Psalm 73
Psalm 119
Psalm 128
Altogether there are 25 Wisdom Psalms. Our focus is going to be on Psalm 119 ... just the opening section. It is the longest Psalm in the Bible ... 176 verses in total ... it has 22 sections of 8 verses each. There are two very special features about the Psalm.
It is an “acrostic” Psalm. Each section of 8 verses starts with the same letter of the alphabet. The next 8 verses all start with the next letter. You can see the pattern really clearly on the screen.
In the Psalm there are eight key words. One of these eight words appears in every verse. The eight words are:- law, decrees, statutes, commandments, ordinances, precepts, ways and word.
When you put these eight words together you are given a comprehensive description of all the different ways God can instruct us. Psalm 119 is a lesson on living life for God.
So that’s a bit of background and introduction to the structure of the Psalm. Now let’s read the opening verses.
Series: Responding to God
Learning How To Live Wisely
A sermon on Psalm 119:1-8
In order to understand this Psalm, or any wisdom Psalm for that matter, we need to realise that there is a big difference between knowledge and wisdom.
Knowledge is telling someone that when they are under the water they need to keep their mouths closed.
Wisdom is discovering what happens when you open your mouth under water.
That is how it works in life. It is also how it works in the Scriptures. The Scriptures contain much knowledge.
They talk about the history of Israel and God’s connection with the people.
They contain commandments and directives to help us know how we ought to live.
They tell us how Jesus died and why.
In fact the Scriptures can tell us a whole lot of things. But that does not mean we automatically are wise enough to allow the knowledge to impact our lives. Let me read you James 2:19.
In the context of that verse James is challenging the readers to actively live out their faith by doing deeds of service.
Having faith is an issue of knowledge.
Doing deeds is an issue of wisdom.
James then goes on and says You believe there is one God (that is the knowledge part). You believe there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder.
Demons have knowledge ... they are not wise.
For us to be wise we need to take the knowledge and apply it to our lives.
That is what the wisdom Psalms do ... they help answer the question, “How can I be wise?” Let’s have a closer look at our text and see what it teaches us.
Wise people have the right Godly attitude (vss. 1-3)
Now when you first read these words something very significant stands out. Let’s read them again.
Read verses 1-3
When I read a verse like this I think ... how arrogant!!
To say that you are blameless ... as he does in verse 1.
To say that he is doing nothing wrong ... that is in verse 3.
How can you possibly make that claim without having some measure of arrogance? And it isn’t just a one off event. A number of Psalms talk about the same thing.
This is what Psalm 15 ... which is also a wisdom Psalm ... says:-
1 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?
2 He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart
From these words you would almost have to assume that nobody goes to the sanctuary ... or it is just those who are completely fooling themselves.
But that is not the case. What is going on here is that the Psalmist understands what it really means to be in a relationship with God.
You see we sometimes have the attitude that when we come before God we need to become fixated on our sin.
Lord I am such a terrible person, I fall short every day.
Father my mind is such a terrible thing, on the outside I look like such a nice person, on the inside I am horrible.
I struggle so much with temptation, I am not worthy of the blessings that you give me.
Should I even call myself a Christian?
We focus on these aspects of our relationship with God and we find ourselves feeling more and more unholy and unworthy in God’s sight.
Now I am not saying that we shouldn’t do that at times. It is valuable for us to have a realistic understanding of the impact of sin. BUT ... we also have to remember the bigger picture.
Jesus has come to give a comprehensive answer – from His own mouth the answer looks like this:-
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. (Luke 19:10)
Whoever believes in Him is not condemned (John 3:18)
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
When you have an answer like that ... and wisely understand what that answer means ... then your attitude begins to change.
Jesus seeks and saves ... His eye is on us and He has a divine desire to see us in His family.
Through Jesus we are no longer condemned ... there is no finger of wrath pointing at us going, “Oh look how terrible that person is”.
As we come to Him we do have rest, we don’t have to be wearied and weighed down by our short-comings, weaknesses, failings and guilt.
We can have life ... now ...fullness of life ... now ... enjoying the fruits of the relationship which we have with God ... now.
Our Christian walk is to be a walk of joy, of excitement, of forgiveness. A walk of knowing that in God’s eyes through Christ we are Holy.
God sees us as blameless.
It is as if we have done nothing wrong.
That should make a real difference to your attitude as you seek to live for God ... shouldn’t it.
So when the Psalmist starts talking about laws, decrees, statutes, commandments, ordinances, precepts, ways and the word … wisdom makes us have the right attitude. We don’t look at this list and go, “Far out God just expects so much from us. No matter which way I turn there seems to be a rule”. Rather we look at God’s Wisdom and we say, “God wants the best for me. He has a real purpose for my life. He desire is to bless and encourage and build up. And He has given His spirit to help me every step of the way”.
That is the wise Godly attitude.
So that is what the first few verses are about let’s move on to find out how we make it happen.
How do I transform knowledge into wisdom? (vss 4-5)
Up to this point the Psalmist has basically been telling us the facts.
You are blessed when you walk according to the law.
You are blessed when you seek God with all your heart.
Rich blessings can come to you through trusting in God.
These are the facts. But there are many facts in life.
It is a fact that all bikes have brakes. However if you teach your child to ride their bike on a very flat surface, and they ride so slow that they don’t need to use the brakes, you might – as the teacher – inadvertently forget how to teach your child how to brake. The result could be that when that child rides down a hill and you realise they are going to fast so you are yelling, “brake brake” – that child has no idea what you are talking about and crashes. Sorry Amelia.
My point is that all the facts in the world are useless unless you are willing to apply them. That is why these verses are so significant.
Read verses 4-5
What is the Psalmist asking?
The Psalmist is asking God to take the knowledge which is contained in the Scripture and place it into his heart.
Which is an important prayer to pray. Because, without such a prayer, we could come really close to having a relationship with God, but actually miss out.
I’m thinking here of people like the Pharisees. They knew all the Scriptures, and all the extra rules as well. They were very religious very dedicated people. In every way they were the backbone of Israel’s spiritual life. BUT they missed an essential element. They were not taking the knowledge and using it to help them become wise. So in the end they missed out completely.
If your spiritual life is only based on knowledge which is contained in your head, rather than a relationship which has transferred to your heart, then you still need to submit to Jesus and repent. But, if you have done that, your salvation is secure.
That applies to those who have been in the family of God for a long time – the people who have given so much, and contributed so much and even sacrificed so much.
All those actions are great.
But it doesn’t necessarily make you wise.
Unless you are continually working on your relationship with Jesus.
It also applies to those who may be struggling in their knowledge of God. You might think that your life has disqualified you somehow from the blessings. But it is not the case at all. Let me read you some words from Psalm 51:10-12.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
All can be restored. All can be forgiven. When we take the knowledge of this fact and come into a relationship – then this will be the wisdom we discover.
Wisdom, not just knowledge. That is the focus of this Psalm – and of all wisdom Psalms. So what will be the result?
The result of living a life of wisdom. (verses 6-8)
Let’s briefly consider them … there are three.
Read verse 6
When we live a life of wisdom we will not be put to shame.
Basically this means God is going to stand up for us in all circumstances.
When Satan accuses us of being failures God will come along and declare that his accusations are false. We have been made holy therefore we are not failures.
When we feel abandoned and wondering if anyone cares, God will stand up for us. We are His children … He has made us His family. No matter what we feel we are never alone.
On that day when we stand before the judgement throne of God we also will not be put to shame. All our sins will be brought to light. All our short-comings and all that has caused us shame. But Jesus will come to us and say, “Welcome home. Come and enjoy an eternity with me good and faithful servant.”
A life of wisdom means a life of no shame.
Read verse 7
When we live a life of wisdom we will have a desire to keep growing.
When a relationship goes for a long time there is the temptation to start taking one another for granted. A wise relationship is one that keeps on working at the issues and growing together. It’s the same in our relationship with God.
We should want to know more about those key terms:- law, decrees, statutes, commandments, ordinances, precepts, ways and word. We want to know more so that, as we filter these through a relationship, we are growing.
We should never get to a point where we think – OK I have learnt enough, I’ll just stop. The moment we do that is the same moment we are saying – this relationship with God is not my priority any more.
A life of wisdom is a life of growth.
When we live a life of wisdom we know God will be the constant even when we are not.
Read verse 8
Why say such a thing?
If he plans to obey why would he feel forsaken?
Because he knows His own heart.
9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
Jeremiah 17:9
That is an Old Testament verse that expresses a New Testament truth.
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:8
Our heart will condemn us – reminding us that we should be forsaken. But through it all God will be constant. Bringing is into relationship and enabling us to have the wisdom to know that He will never let go of us.
Wisdom Psalms give us concrete examples of how God wants us to live our life. Often these Psalms focus on consequences.
If we take these Psalms and make them real to our lives.
We won’t be put to shame.
We will keep growing.
We will know God’s consistency.
And a wise life will be the outcome.
Prayer
