God's Word Cleanses Our Life Series

PSALM 119: 9-16 [The Ministry of The Word Series]

GOD'S WORD CLEANSES OUR LIFE

[Ephesians 5:26 / Job 22:22]

The main point or argument of Psalm 119 is that a faithful man should stir up himself to meditate on God's Word so that he might establish himself in the Lord. [The verses of Psalm 119 are group by eights and each set of eight verses is alphabetically arranged according to the Hebrew alphabet. In the second set of eight verses, 9-16, every verse begins with Beth [b].] The subject of this second section is the Word of Yahweh purifies the Life.

The text before us declares how we can keep our heart right or pure. Keeping our life pure or right is accomplished by God's Word. Keeping our life pure is done by keeping our life in-line with God's Word. For the blessed work of sanctification is wrought in the heart by the Spirit of God, by means of the Word. [Please read my -Dennis Davidson's- "Matters of the Heart Series" message: THE PURE HEART. PSALM 119:9-11. SermonCentral.com ]

Our text declares that a person cleanses his way (conduct) by obeying God's Word (CIT). When we delight ourselves in God's Word we will hide it in our heart, meditate upon it and share it with others. A person who internalizes God's Word will be blessed and will rejoice in the purity living by God's Word brings about in his life.

I. CLEANSED BY THE WORD , 9-11.

II. BLESSED BY THE WORD, 12-14.

III. DELIGHTED BY THE WORD, 15-16.

As Beth [ b, a house] the second alphabet division begins, an immensely important question is raised in verse 9. "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word."

There is a question and an answer. First, the question; How can a young man keep his way pure? The question concerns a person, a young man, and his most difficult task, keeping his way pure, is proposed. How can a young man [naar, "shaken off," to cast off the paternal yoke or care of his parents] become pure and live a holy life? Or I would ask, "How do I get rid of these youthful sins, these wrong habits of my flesh?" ["His way," jra, orach, signifies a track, a rut, such as is made by the wheel of a cart or chariot. A young man is making a rut, a beaten path, that he will most likely stay in the rest of his life.] This choice is hard for any person [which is set here before a young man]. So most will not ask themselves this most important question; "How can I keep my way pure." I pray you will though. For we are asked to choose the pure clean way and walk in it. Though it will be difficult in the best of circumstance, let us not shrink from the glorious enterprise of living a pure and noble life.

We are drowning in a sea of impurity. Everywhere we look we are tempted to lead impure lives. The psalmist's question troubles us all for how do we slay pure in a filthy environment? We cannot do this on our own, but must have counsel and strengthen

more empowering than the tempting influences around us Where can we find that strength and wisdom? The psalmist says it is done by reading and studying God's Word and doing what it says. [Life Application Bible. Zondervan. p. 1037]

If you will ask this wise question you then may truly hear the wise man's answer. "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy Word." Let the Word [dabar] of God, which is likened to water (Ephesians 5:26), flood your soul and cleanse you constantly. [A key word, jkz (zacah), to be pure, to make pure, to cleanse.] For God's promised assistance you must turn to God's instructions. [Young man,] the Bible must be your guide, and you must exercise great watchfulness that your way, your life, may be according to its directions. Even with the most accurate map you can still lose your way if you don't follow it. The narrow way was never hit upon by chance, neither did any inattentive person ever lead a holy life. We can sin without thought, but we will need all our heart, mind, soul, and strength if we are to walk in righteousness.

SOAP AND WATER are essential to cleanliness and personal hygiene. Those who neglect it soon become dirty and unacceptable to others. So too, Christians who neglect God's Word, soon become defiled by the evils of this world. This defilement makes them unfit for redemptive fellowship with God and with other believers. Only if you pore over God's Word will His cleansing power pour in and then through you.