Sermon Central
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The Word Of God Revives Us Series
Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Sep 12, 2013 (message contributor)
Summary: This section is structured by the powerful effects of God's Word. It revives the soul, imparts inner strength, guides into truth, & enlarges the heart. So our psalmist reveals his condition, then confesses that God's Word is the answer.
PSALM 119: 25-32 [The Ministry of The Word Series]
THE WORD OF GOD REVIVES US
This section is structured by the powerful effects of God's Word. It revives the soul (v. 25); it imparts inner strength (v. 28); it guides into truth (v. 30); and it enlarges the heart (v; 32). When we are down, afflicted, grieving or suffering, we need the Word of God. So our psalmist reveals his condition, then confesses that God's Word is the answer (CIT).
Revival comes when we reach the end of our own resources, repent, and call upon God to intervene. The psalmist is clearly in this condition. He is humbled and broken. His soul is cast into the dust. What then can he do? The answer is, "Nothing." Thus, he prays, "Revive me according to Your Word." This prayer for revival is based upon God's Word, for God's promises to give life to those who seek Him. The arousing inspiring Word of the Lord is the surest source of help in all tribulation of body, mind, or soul.
These verses testify to the ministry of God's divine Word upon a heart filled with sorrow and mourning because of the deadening effects of the world around and the fallenness within. The psalmist prayed for reviving because he was laid low (v. 25). He then asked God for understanding, strengthening, and provision (vv. 26-29). When God gave him understanding, he would comply because he treasured the Law (v. 30-32). [Walvoord, John & Zuck, Roy: The Bible Knowledge Commentary. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983, S. 880.]
I. THE REQUEST, 25.
II. THE REALIZATIONS, 26-29.
III. THE RESOLVE, 30-32.
Daleth.
Verse 25 is a prayer for revival according to the promise and empowering of God's Word. "My soul cleaves to the dust; Revive me according to Your Word."
The psalmist prayed for reviving because he was laid low in suffering, affliction or deep contrition. We don't know why the psalmist prostrated himself in the dust before God, but he fervently sought God's enlivening breath or Spirit. He had come to the end of himself. [Some suggest that he is near death (Ps. 22: 29, 104:29).]
The KJV word "quicken" means "save me alive, restore life to me, or revive me" [causative of verb "to live"]. He asks the Lord to invigorate and breath new life into him. He prays for personal revival based on the Word of God.
II. THE REALIZATIONS, 26-29.
The psalmist realized that God's Word has the answer to the believer's every need. In these verses he applies God's Word in various ways to his life. Verse 26 stresses that through His Word God answers those who confesses their ways to Him. "I have told of my ways, and You have answered me; Teach me Your statutes."
The psalmist has confessed himself and his ways to God. Though the content of this declaration is left open, it would include his confession of sin and repentance. As a result God answered him. Those who have heard God's voice in His Word should pray, "Teach me Your statutes." Without divine assistance we do not comprehend the Word of God.
The Bible is unlike any other book. It was given by God's inspiration and is His revelation to man, On its pages we find everything we need to know in order to receive salvation and live for the Lord, Paul declared that Scripture "is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction; for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).
That is what the psalmist had in mind when he asked God to teach him its precepts. He desired, and we should strive for, an increased knowledge of God and His will. Let's prayerfully study the content of the Bible to discover what God is saying to us about Himself and His plan for our lives. That will make our Bible knowledge most profitable.
[Thy Word is like a deep, deep mine, And jewels rich and rare
Are hidden in its unfathomed depths For every searcher there. -Hodder]
Again in verse 27 he asks for divine assistance in understanding the Word and way of God. "Make me understand the way of Your precepts, So I will meditate on Your wonders."
Our lives are cluttered with text books and instructional books, but the authors never come with us to help us follow and implement their teachings. But God does. That is the uniqueness of our Bible. God not only provides the rules and guidelines, but comes with us personally each day to strengthen us so that we can live according to those precepts. All we must do is invite Him to lead us and respond to His direction.
God is the instructor. The psalmist was the submissive student. His responsibility is to continually expose himself to God's Word by meditating on God's wonderful works ("miraculous acts"). God's Word reveal His wonders to those who will meditate upon it.
