CONFIRMING THE LAW OF GOD
Psalm 119:1-8
INTRODUCTION
A. The first two verses declare a blessing upon the blameless who walk in the law of the Lord. With a wave of the hand, critics might dismiss this passage as idealistic at best and contradictory to the gospel at worst.
B. One might even point to the words of Paul to prove the impossibility of claiming the blessing of Psalm 119 (Rom 7:23-25).
I. ARE LAW AND GRACE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE?
A. It might appear so (Gal 3:10-12).
B. Grace excludes law as a means of justification (Rom 3:19-26).
C. Grace condemns the same thing the law condemns (1 Tim 1:5-11).
D. There is always a blessing when we seek to obey God’s law, testimonies, precepts, and commandments, even while acknowledging with Paul that our will to and want to
do not match our can-do.
II. IDENTIFYING THOSE WHO ARE BLESSED
A. We are blameless (v.1).
1. David knew that he was not sinless (Psa 19:12-14).
2. John dispels the idea that we can live above sin (1 John 1:5-10).
B. We Seek God With Our Whole Heart (v.2; Matt 5:6; Jam 1:5-8)
II. HOW WE PURSUE GOD’S WILL
A. We Walk in God’s Ways (v.3)
1. The gold standard for the kings of Israel was “He walked/did not walk in the ways of David.”
2. “Walk” suggests purpose. We do not just stroll through life aimlessly.
3. It also means progress. We do not march in place nor go in circles.
B. We Pursue Truth Diligently (v.4)
1. God promised Israel that if they listened to him, he would listen to them (Ex 15:26).
2. Peter calls us to diligence twice in his second epistle (1:10; 3:14-15).
3. Lazy sinners make lousy saints. We do not have a record of the circumstances of the call of some whom Jesus chose. However, for those who had a history, all were busy when he called them. Peter and his brother Andrew were fishing, as were John and his brother James. Matthew was busy collecting taxes. Paul was on a mission for Satan.
C. We Remain Steadfast (v.5)
1. Just as grace does not nullify law, neither does it eliminate the need for steadfast labor of love (1 Cor 15:58).
2. The steadfastness of one generation—or lack of it—is often reflected in succeeding generations (Psa 78:5-8).
3. The issue can be explored using a business model:
a. The first generation works hard and sacrifices much, wanting to give their children a business—or farm—that will provide the second generation with a good income, give them more free time, and pass more on to the third generation.
b. The third generation is handed life on a silver platter. Shielded from work and sacrifice, they become apathetic toward the success of the family business and sometimes waste the family fortune.
c. We can see how the model is reflected in the lives of David, Solomon, and Rehoboam. David fought the battles, Solomon built the empire, and Rehoboam laid it waste.
This model may not be valid in all aspects. Still, any student of the modern church has noticed the sad truth that many of the third generation either fall away entirely or become so apathetic to the cause of Christ that there will be no fourth generation.
D. We Resolutely Resolve to Obey (v.6)
1. David said that he had his eyes fixed on all of God’s commandments. He did not cherry-pick that which was to his liking.
2. Hear him: “The LAW of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the TESTIMONY of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the PRECEPTS of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the COMMANDMENT of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for-ever; the RULES of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether” (Psa 19:7-9, Emphasis mine, DC).
III. WHERE WE SEEK GOD
A. Like describing a beautiful diamond, David directs our attention to six facets of the word of God. It is in all of these that we seek God:
Verse 1: In his law (instruction)
Verse 2: In his testimonies (witness)
Verse 4: In his precepts (step-by-step instructions)
Verse 5: In his statutes (regulations)
Verse 6: In his commandments (imperatives)
Verse 7: In his rules (decrees)
B. When motivated by love, the commandments are not burdensome but are “a lamp to our feet and a light to our path” (Psa 119:105; John 5:3).
CONCLUSION
A. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; All those who follow His commandments have a good understanding; His praise endures forever (Psa 111:10).
B. The conclusion, when everything has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person (Eccl 12:13).
