8. Spiritual Preparation for Hard Times (2), Psalm 119:25-40
Hymns: RHC 345 Be Still, My Soul 344 The Lord is My Shepherd 420 All to Jesus I Surrender
Spiritual Preparation for Hard Times (2)
Psalm 119:25-40 (KJV)
25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. 26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. 27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. 28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. 29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. 30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. 31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. 32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. 34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. 35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. 36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. 37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. 38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. 39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. 40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
INTRODUCTION
Psalm 119 describes the key to victorious life in the midst of trials and afflictions. This is an acrostic psalm with each of the 22 sections of 8 verses beginning with succeeding letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
The preface of the psalm (v1-8) introduces the theme – blessings of embracing God’s Word in the believer’s life. The way to blessing is in obedience to God’s Word (v1-4). He understood the blessings of walking with God and is resolved to walk in holiness knowing its best for him acknowledged his weaknesses and the need to mortify them (v5-8).
The psalmist tells us of the blessedness of embracing God’s Word because God’s Word cleanses, counsels, strengthens, establishes God’s people.
I. Blessedness of embracing God’s Word (v1–40)
(1) Cleansing power of God’s Word(v9–16)
(2) Counselling power of God’s Word (v17–24)
(3) Strengthening power of God’s Word (v25–32)
(4) Establishing power of God’s Word (v33–40)
We saw last week how the Word of God cleanses the soul. Defilement of sin in the believer’s life can be cleansed.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The believer’s quiet time is private devotion time, set aside for the purpose of cultivating a rich spiritual life. It is an appointment with God. The elements of private devotion are prayer, the reading and meditation of God’s Word. He considers God’s Word as true riches (v14).
The counselling power of God’s Word (v18) in the believer’s life comes when God opens our spiritual eyes to behold the wonders of His truths. It comes from the illumination of the Holy Spirit, supernaturally given through prayer as he ponders and prays over God’s counsel.
(3) Strengthening power of God’s Word (v25–32)
25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken (revive) thou me according to thy word. 26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. 27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. 28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. 29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. 30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. 31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. 32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
The words beginning with letter “deleth” are highlighted in bold. 3 verbs with 2 verbs “cleaveth” and “have stuck” repeating in verse 25 and 31, and the word “way” is used 5 times.
How does God strengthen the believer? It is in showing the right way through the counsel of His Word. And the psalmist who obeys God’s Word finds help and strengthen through life’s pathway.
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
He sought the way of life according to God’s Word rather than the way of death according to his own wisdom.
25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken (revive/enliven) thou me according to thy word.
In times of affliction, God’s Word gives new life, makes a way for him (v25). The psalmist sought the Lord in earnest prayer.
26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. 27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
He seeks the Lord bringing his predicament before the Lord in prayer. He desires to understand God’s will for his life and walk therein. He knows that his prayer has been heard.
28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. 29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. 30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
The verb “melteth” means “drip or drop” describing the grief in the heart of the psalmist. He is weeping, dripping in tears due to the rough tidings that came his way.
For every impasse in life, God’s Word has the answer to strengthen the frail-hearted. The psalmist speaks of the “heaviness” of his soul which is so weighed down with burdens that he descends into despair.
He is able to see that the crooked way of lying is unprofitable for his soul and danger to his well-being. He seeks to live honestly before God and men. This is the new life in Christ.
Two Exams Every Time
In Moody Monthly, George Sweeting writes about the desperate need for honesty in our culture. He refers to Dr. Madison Sarratt, who taught mathematics at Vanderbilt University for many years. Before giving a test, the professor would admonish his class something like this:
“Today I am giving two examinations—one in trigonometry and the other in honesty. I hope you will pass them both. If you must fail one, fail trigonometry. There are many good people in the world who can’t pass trig, but there are no good people in the world who cannot pass the examination of honesty.”[1]
The psalmist pleads that God will create in him a clean heart. A heart of honesty and integrity, exemplifying the character of God. God never lies.
2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
When we walk honesty, we walk surely. There may be the tendency to get unlawful gain by cheating in the old man. But the new man renewed in Christ seeks to live a life of purity and integrity.
31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. 32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
God’s Word is able to strengthen the downcast soul. Therefore, the psalmist chooses to hold on to His Word — “I have stuck unto thy testimonies.” These testimonies are His commandments. The psalmist is now so strengthened that he not only walks but runs in God’s way (v32).
This morning, we were studying the account of the aftermath of Moses’ initial encounter with Pharaoh. Not only will Pharaoh not let His people go, he increased their bondage. The people of Israel murmured, screamed in pain, even cursed and questioned the power of Moses’ Master!
Moses was discouraged. He came to the Lord as we saw in Exodus 6:1-13. We said that Moses had his quiet time. In his devotion, God reassured Moses of His promises. And God renewed the faith of His servant.
The Lord reassured Moses that Israel will be delivered by His strong hand out of Egypt. He speaks of Himself as Almighty and He speaks of Himself as a faithful Father to His children.
2 And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD: 3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them. 4 And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. 5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.
He reiterated His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He reminded Moses that He is known as the Almighty God. His exploits are well-known to his forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is interesting to note that Moses is the writer of the book of Genesis that recounted the power of God in protecting and prospering His servants as they fulfil His will.
Taking hold of God’s promises stablishes and establishes His people. He provides for them the bearing for life by His promises. He shows them the way ahead. He directs leads them like a shepherd his sheep, gently and lovingly.
Notice the phrase “I am the LORD” repeated twice and the phrase “And I will” repeated 7 times providing Moses the information to settle His mind as to what God is doing and will for them. We need God’s assurance and He sends His assurance when we take time to hear His voice through His Word, the Holy Scriptures.
6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: 7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD.
(4) Establishing power of God’s Word (v33–40)
33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. 34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. 35 Make me to go (lead) in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. 36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. 37 Turn away (to cause to pass) mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. 38 Stablish (set, build) thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. 39 Turn away (to cause to pass) my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. 40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
The psalmist’s prayer is that God will teach him His ways and let him have understanding so that he will choose to walk the godly way as opposed to the vain and covetous way. He shall be established because his fear is in the LORD. There is that tarrying with God in prayer that gives him the victory in overcoming and refraining from every crooked way.
Let me be a stable and mature man of God that orders my family rightly and my work honourably. Help me grow to maturity that I may be a blessing to others.
His plea is by 7 imperatives and an interjection – teach, give me understanding, make me to go, incline, turn away, stablish, turn away. This is followed by “Behold”.
7 words of surrender, submission and surely culminating with God’s supply and sustenance.
33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
How we need to be taught. Give me a teachable heart. One that is willing to listen to the voice of God and obey it. He is determined to keep all of God’s way that is taught to him.
Hellen Keller’s Teacher
One of the great wonders of the present day has been the marvellous manner in which Helen Keller, the blind-deaf girl, has been rendered able to take her place in classes in Radcliffe College at Harvard University and to win a distinguished place for scholarship. This had been possible only through the faithful ministrations of her teacher, Miss Sullivan. The latter found her as a little girl utterly unable to comprehend the life about her and only able to make the crudest communications by signs to her family.
The teacher by patient persistence, using all sorts of objects, with infinite pains, taught the little girl the sign language by touch and when once communication with the outside world was thus established, education proceeded.
—Howard Wayne Smith[2]
Our God teaches us to conform to His image through life as we shall see in verses 41-91.
II. Blessedness of walking with God (v41–96)
- The LORD delivers (v41–48)
- The LORD comforts(v49–56)
- The LORD loves (v57–64)
- The LORD chastens (v65–72)
- The LORD moulds (v73–80)
- The LORD helps (v81–88)
- The LORD upholds (v89–96)
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
The verb “to understand” means discretion, reason, skilfulness, understanding, wisdom. To know the mind of God and to model it in his life. There is a wholeheartedness to the psalmist’s life with God. He sought God with all his heart.
Luke 11:34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
In Joshua 14 is mentioned three times that Caleb “wholly followed the Lord God” (v8, 9, 14). The late pastor Adrian Rogers observed well, “Every ounce of Caleb was given to the Lord. This is the kind of heart you and I should have if we call ourselves Christians. The devil is going to intimidate a fainthearted man. And, there’s only one way to stand against the devil and that is to give everything to Jesus Christ. Indeed, God does not accept half-hearted religion. It would better for you to say there is no God, than for you to say He doesn’t mean that much to you; or He doesn’t make a difference in your life; or He doesn’t stir your heart to love Him.”
35 Make me to go (lead) in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
We begin with faith and we find understanding of God’s will and we seek to happily walk in the way He has made for us. Walking with God is a happy journey because He do us no harm as we walk in His will.
Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Psalm 104:34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
Isaiah 58:14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
1 Peter 1:8-9 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
There is a tug of war between the flesh and the Spirit within our soul. When we choose to walk with God, yielding in obedience to God’s Word, we will save ourselves from many sorrows.
Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
The snare of pursuing after money, power and position results in many sorrows. It doesn’t pay. The psalmist sought God’s mercy to preserve his spirit.
1 Timothy 6:9-11 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
37 Turn away (to cause to pass) mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
From covetousness to vanity, he asked the Lord to rid him of these vices. We observe how we can be establish in the faith – it is by putting away sin and putting on righteousness. It is a process of self-examination in the Spirit where the Spirit exposes our hypocrisy and we repent, turn away from our sins and find forgiveness and direction again.
38 Stablish (set, build) thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. 39 Turn away (to cause to pass) my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. 40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
He asked the Lord to set His fear in his heart that he know the dreadful judgment of God’s wrath on sin and flee from every danger to yield to temptation.
Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Job 28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
Psalm 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
Psalm 36:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.
The secret to an establish spiritual life is worship – Psalm 96:9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.
Psalm 96:13 Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
The God-fearer escapes the wrath of God to come.
Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
CONCLUSION
The psalmist tells us of the blessedness of embracing God’s Word because God’s Word cleanses, counsels, strengthens, establishes God’s people. Amen.
[1] Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations: Signs of the Times.
[2] Ibid.