Guarding The Word

Guarding the Word

“Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.” (Psalm 119:57, KJV)

Introduction – In this journey preparing for the Rapture…

Center verse in the Bible:

Psalms 118:8 (KJV) It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, is devoted to celebrating and exalting the Word of God.

The psalmist declares in verse 57: “Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.”

To “keep” means to guard, protect, and treasure.

Just as a soldier guards a post and a banker guards a vault,

the Christian is called to guard the Word of God.

This passage (119 vv. 57–64) shows us five ways to guard the Word so that we can live victoriously, resist sin, and overcome the devil.

1. Guard the Word with Your Whole Heart

“I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.” (Psalm 119:58)

- The psalmist’s prayer is wholehearted, not half-hearted.

- Jesus reminds us in Matthew 22:37: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”

- Divided devotion weakens our guard.

God requires our full allegiance.

- “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.” (Psalm 119:2)

- “Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty.” (Hosea 10:2)

Illustration: A marriage cannot survive on partial love.

If a husband gives half his affection to his wife and half to someone else,

that relationship is broken. God calls for total devotion.

Application:

- In prayer, give God your full attention.

Don’t multitask in His presence.

- In worship, don’t simply go through motions; --pour out your whole heart.

- In trials, trust fully in God’s Word instead of leaning on human logic.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Summary: Guarding the Word begins with guarding your heart

— keeping it undivided and wholly devoted to God.

2. Guard the Word by Directing Your Steps

“I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.” (Psalm 119:59–60)

- Guarding the Word requires self-examination (“I thought on my ways”).

- It requires correction (“I turned my feet”).

- It requires immediate obedience (“I made haste, and delayed not”).

- “Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.” (Proverbs 4:26)

- “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith.” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

- “To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17)

Illustration: A driver who realizes he is going the wrong way on the highway must turn around immediately.

To delay is dangerous.

Spiritually, delay in obedience leads to deeper sin.

Application:

- When the Spirit convicts you about sin—repent immediately.

- Parents: If the atmosphere in your home is drifting away from Christ, make quick course corrections.

- Don’t postpone obedience.

The longer you wait, the harder the correction becomes.

Summary: Guarding the Word means daily examining your steps,

correcting them when needed, and obeying without delay.

3. Guard the Word in Times of Difficulty

“The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law. At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.” (Psalm 119:61–62)

- The psalmist acknowledges trials—“bands of the wicked have robbed me.”

- Yet he clings to God’s law and even gives thanks at midnight, the darkest hour.

- Thanksgiving in trials guards the heart from despair and unbelief.

- “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” (Job 14:1)

- “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

- Paul and Silas sang praises at midnight in prison (Acts 16:25)

Illustration: Midnight represents the darkest hour of life — sickness, loss, betrayal, fear. Yet Paul and Silas guarded the Word in their hearts and praised God,

and the prison shook with deliverance.

Application:

- When laid off, declare Philippians 4:19 — “My God shall supply all your need.”

- In sickness, cling to Psalm 103:3 — “Who healeth all thy diseases.”

- When betrayed, remember Hebrews 13:5 — “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Summary: Guarding the Word in trials means refusing to forget God’s promises and choosing thanksgiving even in the midnight hour.

4. Guard the Word by Choosing Godly Companions