Go! And Trust the Truth - Psalm 119:160
Introduction:
Let me begin with a question that might just shake the foundations of your assumptions:
What if everything you believe is built on something that isn’t completely true?
We live in a time when truth is being redefined, twisted, and manipulated. From media headlines to classroom curriculums, from political speeches to social media posts—the truth often feels like it's slipping through our fingers.
But the Word of God is not like shifting shadows. The Bible declares eternal, unshakeable, unwavering truth. And today, we are going to let the Holy Spirit remind us of this one unbreakable reality:
Psalm 119:160 (NLT): “The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.”
The Hebrew here gives us something powerful. The word translated “essence” is ????? (rosh)—which literally means “head,” or “beginning.” In essence: From the very beginning, all the way through to the end, the Word of God is truth.
Let’s journey through this passage and see what this means for us today—not just as a theological truth, but as a life-transforming reality through Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh, our Saviour, and our eternal Truth.
I. The Foundation of Truth is God’s Word
Psalm 119:160 (NLT): “The very essence of your words is truth…”
The Bible is not just a collection of stories or moral teachings. It is truth at its core. Every verse, every command, every promise reflects the very character of God.
In Hebrew, the word for “truth” is ????? (emet). This word is made up of the first, middle, and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. That’s not accidental. It reflects that truth encompasses the beginning, middle, and end—just like God Himself.
Jesus echoed this when He said: John 17:17 (NLT): “Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.”
Jesus, in His high priestly prayer, anchors our sanctification—our becoming more like Him—not in emotionalism, not in ritual, but in the truth of God’s Word.
Charles Stanley: “God’s Word is the perfect guidebook for life. It never changes because God never changes.”
Amen to that. When people around us are compromising, shifting, or redefining values—God's Word stands firm. Why? Because it reflects the unchanging nature of God Himself.
When you open the Bible, you don’t just get information—you receive revelation. Truth is not something we invent; it's something we discover through the Word.
II. Jesus Christ: The Embodiment of God’s Truth
John 1:14 (NLT): “So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”
Jesus is the Word made flesh. He did not just speak truth—He is truth.
John 14:6 (NLT): “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’”
John Piper: “Jesus is not just a teacher of truth—He is the Truth. All truth flows from Him, is sustained by Him, and points back to Him.”
That’s why we must not treat Jesus as simply a moral example, or a great prophet—He is the embodiment of God’s eternal truth. He came not just to inform us, but to transform us by His truth.
There’s an old story of a ship’s captain sailing through dense fog. He sees a light in the distance and signals the vessel:
“Alter your course 10 degrees south.”
The reply comes: “Alter your course 10 degrees north.”
The captain, angry, responds: “I am a battleship. Alter your course.”
The reply comes back: “I am a lighthouse. Your move.”
That’s what truth is. It doesn’t shift for us—we shift in response to it. Jesus is that unmovable lighthouse. He is the Truth that stands when the fog of this world surrounds us.
III. God’s Truth Brings Freedom and Life
John 8:31–32 (NLT): “Jesus said to the people who believed in him, ‘You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”
Here, Jesus tells us truth is not just correct; it is liberating.
The Greek word for “set free” is ??e??e??? (eleutheroo) – it means to liberate from bondage, especially slavery.
Every person who has not yet trusted in Jesus is bound in the chains of sin. No self-help book, no religious ritual, no good works can break those chains.
Only Jesus, the Truth, can liberate us.
Tim Keller: “The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed than we ever dared believe, yet more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”
That’s the freedom of the Gospel—facing the truth about ourselves, yet receiving the grace of God through Jesus Christ.
IV. The Gospel is the Ultimate Truth
Let’s make this clear: 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (NLT): “Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.”
This is the truth we proclaim—the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
And it’s not optional truth. It’s essential truth. Without it, we are lost.
Romans 10:9 (NLT): “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Max Lucado: “The cross is where God forgave his children without lowering his standards.”
God’s justice and mercy met at the cross. The truth of your sin was met by the truth of His grace.
Imagine standing before a judge with a mountain of traffic tickets you cannot pay. The sentence is clear—jail time. But then, the judge steps down, takes off his robe, and pays the fine himself.
That’s what Jesus did. He didn’t ignore the truth of your guilt—He bore it on the cross. He paid your fine in full.
V. Responding to the Truth: Repentance and Faith
What does the truth demand of us?
Acts 3:19 (NLT): “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”
Truth demands a response. Not just agreement, but action. Repentance means to turn around. To abandon falsehood and walk in the light of truth.
R.T. Kendall: “The greatest lie Satan tells us is that there’s always time to get right with God.”
That’s a lie straight from hell. Today is the day of salvation. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Now.
Call to Action:
Friends, will you respond to truth today?
If you’re a believer, will you recommit yourself to the Word of God as your daily bread, your lamp, your sword?
If you’ve been drifting, distracted, or disillusioned—come back to the Truth.
If you’ve never placed your faith in Jesus—today, right now, the Truth calls your name.
Invitation to Salvation:
Jesus died for your sin. He rose again to give you life. He calls you to repent and trust in Him. If you will confess Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead—you will be saved.
Don’t walk away from truth today. Walk into it. Step into the light of God’s grace.
Closing Benediction:
May the Truth of God's Word be your foundation.
May Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, be your daily joy and strength.
May the Holy Spirit lead you into all truth, empowering you to live boldly, speak clearly, and love sacrificially.
In the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ—Amen.
