I LOVE HIS WORD
Introduction:
A collector of rare books ran into an acquaintance who told him he had just thrown away an old Bible that he found in a dusty, old box. He happened to mention that Guten-somebody-or-other had printed it. "Not Gutenberg?" gasped the collector. "Yes, that was it!" "You idiot! You've thrown away one of the first books ever printed. A copy recently sold at auction for half a million dollars!"
"Oh, I don't think this book would have been worth anything close to that much," replied the man. "It was scribbled all over in the margins by some guy named Martin Luther."
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in Bible, talks about God’s Word. 176 verses divided in 22 sections of 8 verses in each section. The titles of the sections are the Greek alphabets. The Psalm is alphabetical. Eight stanzas commence with one letter, and then another eight with the next letter, and so the whole Psalm proceeds by octonaries quite through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
Author is not mentioned. We believe that David wrote this Psalm. It is Davidic in tone and expression. There are eight different terms referring to the Word of God throughout the psalm: law, testimonies, precepts, statues, commandments, judgments, word, and ordinances. In almost every verse, the Word of God is mentioned. Notice these attributes of God ascribed to Scripture in Psalm 119:
1. Righteousness (verses 7, 62, 75, 106, 123, 138, 144, 160, 164, 172)
2. Trustworthiness (verse 42)
3. Truthfulness (verses 43, 142, 151, 160)
4. Faithfulness (verse 86)
5. Unchangeableness (verse 89)
6. Eternality (verses 90,152)
7. Light (verse 105)
8. Purity (verse 140)
Psalm 119:1. - "Blessed." True blessedness lies in –
I. Defilement avoided by the word.
II. Delight experienced in the word.
It talks about many facets of God’s Word and how it helps us in various ways. But today we are focusing on King David’s love for the Word of God.
What the love for the Word does in our lives?
Tenfold blessings:
1. Love for the Word makes obedience a delight and joy:
16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.
47 For I delight in your commands because I love them.
167 I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly
2. Love for the Word leads to mediation of His Word at all times:
48 I reach out for your commands, which I love, that I may meditate on your decrees.
97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
3. Leads to hatred for evil and brings holiness:
9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.
113 I hate double-minded people, but I love your law.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross; therefore I love your statutes.
163 I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law.
4. Strengthens our trust in God’s promises and faithfulness:
140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
5. Makes us eligible to claim God’s protection and blessings:
58 I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.
159 See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, LORD, in accordance with your love.
6. It gives peace and stability:
165 Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
7. It guides and leads us:
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
8. It brings comfort and hope to our souls:
50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.
9. It gives wisdom:
98 Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.
10. It brings fear of God:
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared.
Conclusion:
God’s Word is very precious.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.
72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
1. Love it
127 Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold,
Read it
2. Meditate it
97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.
3. Memorize it
176 I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.
43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth
4. Obey it
112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.
James 1:22
5. Share it
46 I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame,
