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
“I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.”
(Psalm 119:63)
- Our companions influence our spiritual health.
- Godly friends encourage us to guard the Word;
But, ungodly ones cause compromise.
- Fellowship strengthens faith.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (KJV) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Additional Scriptures:
- “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)
- “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” (Proverbs 13:20)
- “Two are better than one… for if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow.”
(Ecclesiastes 4:9–10)
Illustration: A coal surrounded by burning coals stays hot,
but take one away, it quickly grows cold.
Likewise, isolation cools our spiritual fire.
Application:
- Surround yourself with friends who inspire prayer and obedience.
- Parents: guide your children to choose companions who honor God.
- Stay faithful to the church family — this is your fire circle.
Summary: Guarding the Word means guarding your circle.
Walk with those who fear the Lord and keep His Word.
When I first got saved, I tried my best to change the hearts of my friends
After a while, we naturally drifted away from each other.
You’re either for Christ or against him
5. Guard the Word by Staying Teachable
“The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.” (Psalm 119:64)
- The psalmist saw God’s mercy everywhere, yet still longed for God to teach him.
- Guarding the Word includes a lifelong hunger to keep learning it.
- A teachable heart stays humble and receptive.
- “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” (Psalm 119:18)
- “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” (1Peter 2:2)
- “Study to shew thyself approved unto God.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
Illustration: A soldier doesn’t just guard his post; he keeps training.
If he stops learning, he becomes vulnerable.
Application:
- Meditate on Scripture beyond morning devotions; --carry it in your heart all day.
- Take notes in sermons, review them, and apply them.
- Lead your family in devotions — pass on what God is teaching you.
- Pray daily: “Lord, teach me Your statutes.”
Summary: Guarding the Word requires continual learning and a teachable spirit.
Conclusion
Guarding the Word of God means:
1. With wholehearted devotion.
2. By directing our steps.
3. By standing firm in trials.
4. By surrounding ourselves with godly companions.
5. By staying teachable.
The Word is our treasure and our sword.
If we guard it, it will guard us.
Am I guarding the Word with my whole heart, or am I careless with it?
Am I quick to obey, even in trials?
Do my companions encourage me toward Christ or away from Him?
Prayer: “Lord, give me such a heart that treasures and guards Your Word daily.
Teach me to obey quickly, remain thankful in trials, surround myself with the godly, and stay humble and teachable. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
