Sermon Central
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The Light Of God's Word.
Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 26, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: God has written His word upon our hearts, and inclines our wills to keeping it.
THE LIGHT OF GOD’S WORD.
PSALM 119:105. “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
The word of God, the Bible, is totally reliable (cf. Hebrews 4:12). The Psalmist unreservedly relies upon it. Furthermore, Jesus is the Word (cf. John 1:1), and He is the light of the world (cf. John 8:12). He has promised to be with us always (cf. Matthew 28:20), and will direct our steps (cf. Proverbs 3:6).
PSALM 119:106. “I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.”
The Psalmist is resolved to obey what the word of God has shown him. That is what it is to ‘walk in truth’ (cf. 3 John 1:3). It is one thing to own a Bible, another to live by it. ‘Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only’ (cf. James 1:22).
PSALM 119:107. “I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.”
When we recognise our afflictions it is well to address our petitions to the LORD, who alone is able to hear and answer prayer. Our lives are in constant need of renewal, and renewal of life is God’s speciality (cf. Isaiah 40:31).
PSALM 119:108. “Accept, I beseech thee, the free will offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.”
“Free will offerings of my mouth” stands for ‘the sacrifice of praise… the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name’ (cf. Hebrews 13:15). The prayer being answered, it is appropriate that we return thanks unto the LORD. ‘O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever’ (cf. 1 Chronicles 16:34).
PSALM 119:109. “My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.”
We may sometimes speak of ‘taking our life into our own hands.’ Yet this is not what is happening here. Rather, the Psalmist is commenting on the very frailty of his life, and his resolve to remain loyal to the LORD no matter what.
PSALM 119:110. “The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.”
A snare is set by "the wicked," but the Psalmist remains steadfast. Nothing is going to deflect him from the right path. He will continue on in God’s precepts even in the face of opposition.
PSALM 119:111. “Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.”
I wonder if we can envisage the word of God as our HERITAGE. What set us on the path of life was the word of God. What sustains us along the way is the word of God. And what lies ahead of us is a rejoicing of heart in THE Word of God, which is Jesus.
PSALM 119:112. “I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes always, even unto the end.”
God has written His word upon our hearts, and inclines our wills to keeping it. We are ‘not under the law’ (cf. Romans 6:14): but we have the law within us (cf. Jeremiah 31:33). God’s word written on our hearts is His gift to all who are in Christ Jesus.
