Psalm 119:49-56 Second Read

The arrogant utterly deride me, Yet I do not turn aside from Thy law. -Psalm 119:51

It is one thing to be able to stay consistent to God’s word while in the middle of all your Christian friends. It’s another thing to stay consistent when everyone around you is not a Christian and they are poking at you for what you believe. The real question is do they even notice that you’re different or do you blend right in? We don’t need to be confrontational for the sake of be confrontational all the time... but a Christian who is walking in the Spirit will be different by his very presence. It should be apparent to those around you, if you are a believer, that you follow a different path than everyone else. Your family should really notice there is a difference because they know you best, they should see Christ in your behavior and attitude...

If you are persecuted for being a Christian, or made fun of... they shouldn’t be persecuting you, they should be persecuting Him. “And this is the judgement that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light...” -John 3:19-20a
He is the Light in us... they see Him in us and run. They either run to Him or away from Him because He exposes them for who they are. It’s imperative that we stay consistent... and “not turn aside from His law”.

Here is what is so important; we are not to “pick the side we are on and not bend or defect to the other side”. We are to spend so much time with the Lord and His word that it would utterly hurt to turn from Him, to deny Him after all He has done for us would break our heart. I don’t turn from Him because I love Him so much. I don’t cheat on my wife because I love her so much, not because it’s just what I’m not supposed to do. This is what Jesus said was the greatest commandment, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength...’ If you truly love Him you won’t be able to turn away from Him. He and His word are all you have. (“This has become mine, That I observe Thy precepts” - Psalm 119:56) Others will notice this...and so they should.

-scott

Psalm 119:49-56 Second Read

One line caught me... "Thy statues are my songs..." -119:54
As an artist I understand that 'real art' comes from the heart. It is not 'art' if it has no meaning, it has to say something. It's not just skill and training. I would rather look at a Van Gogh, which has his life poured into his paintings, than some photographic image that someone reproduced. I would rather listen to a blues guitar player that can make you cry rather than a classical trained musician that just plays a bunch of well organized notes. - get the point?

In Matthew 15:18 Jesus said, "The things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart..." He was saying this in relation to where the actual source of sin is - the heart.
You can see what is on the heart of a culture by what kind of art that culture produces. (paintings, music, literature, etc.) Look at the movies, posters and books/magazines (be careful) and you'll see real fast the condition and heartbeat of our culture. Move ahead in time 400 years and look back at the "art" of today and you'll know what's been on our heart... the answer is Jesus' conclusion in Matthew 15:19 = "Evil thoughts, murders, fornication, theft, lying, slander" - this is painted all over the media, and this is what people sing about today. Have you heard a Rap song lately? Have you payed attention to the covers at the movie store?

David was a song writer; a real one. The book of Psalms is David pouring out his heart to God in song. It wasn't something he just decided to do one day. He couldn't help himself, it was a natural outpouring of his heart. A real artist isn't one who just paints well; he is able to see the world in a way others don't, and then paints what he sees. Music is in the heart, the ear, the soul; the instrument is just a tool to get the real music out. Visual art is in the eye, the heart, and the mind; the paint brush is just a tool as well. Too many people spend a lifetime trying to develop the instrument (tool) and the hand forgetting all about the heart. We want to get to the applause over the song or the painting which is nothing but sick pride. Spend time with God developing your heart... the rest will, and should, come naturally as an overflow of the heart.

"Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."

Psalm 119:49-56 First Read

119:49-50 - "Remember the word to Thy servant, In which Thou hast made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, That Thy word has revived me.

Notice the writer is not asking God if He remembers. This is not a question it is a statement. Remember means to impress on the memory, to recollect, to record, to recite. The writer has put something in and God is bringing it back up. Everyday we make a deposit (spending time in the word) and everyday God brings back up what we have put in. Interesting timing for a few guys in my class. Everyday is a classroom; so what are we learning?

God's goal/will for us is to 'conform us to the image of His Son'. This is what the purpose of every day is. This is what 'He cause all things to work together' toward - sanctification. We learn by reading and studying His word. We meditate on verses to get all we can out of the scriptures. Then when we have the principle fully rooted in our brain God puts us through circumstances and trials so that what we have deposited we have to put into practice. This develops Wisdom and Godly experience. Not only have we learned it, but we have also practiced it. Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control, all are perfected in trials and affliction. Christ was the perfect example and standard to these fruits. He didn't just do them...He was them. It wasn't something He learned and did, it was who he was from the core of His being.

I place my hope in the fact that God knows what He is doing with me. He will bring to my mind what I need when I need it. I will be comforted in knowing that His word will revive me, and that it is His wisdom that is applying it to each circumstance. Now I can look at each day as an opportunity to fully learn and 'develop' (developing wisdom) what it is to be 'Christ-like'.

Everyday is a classroom - He is the teacher - His word is our text... and we are all freshman.
"I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord"

Psalm 119:41-48 Fourth Read

Liberty is a word that used to carry a lot of meaning in America. It's slowly losing it's value to debt. You aren't free if you are owned by another; if you have debt you are a slave to the lender. The U.S. economy is held up by debt. Our government is held up by debt. Most homes are held together by debt and borrowing; so much so that 'living within our means' has become a distant cliche. We have worked ourselves into a situation where socialism seems to be the only answer to a lot of people, and that's scary! People have lost all restraint and self-control and they want a government that is equally out of control to come bail them out. People today are willing to give up 'Liberty' and promise for a bowl of soup (Remember this is what got Esau in trouble).

How has this happened and what does this have to do with Psalm 119? There are many social - economic reasons but one root source, Idolatry. We have worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator who is blessed forever. We have exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man. God has given us over to a depraved mind... (Romans 1:18-32) Man loves man not God. Man serves man not God. Man wants what he wants when he wants it and nobody better get in his way. Now the debt is coming due and man can't pay the bill.

Another thing; Moses passed on his leadership role to Joshua, he had trained him to be his successor. But Joshua was to busy fighting and conquering and didn't train the youth around him in the ways of God; the result was the next generation was given over to idolatry and lost. God's people are always one generation away from apostasy - Spiros Zodhiates
This says it all doesn't it. One generation after another today seems to grow further from God and deeper into apostasy. So much so that most don't even know who God truly is; they just want back into Egypt where they can have food and a roof over there head rather than do the hard thing to be with God. The optimistic way of looking at this is we truly have a mission field full of hurting people all around us and it's growing daily. They don't need 'belief systems' and 'faith programs' they need to see the real God in us. We are supposed to be 'salt and light', and it's getting darker in this country by the day. It's all about REALITY folks, get to know Him for real and quite playing religious games! Then you will have an answer for him who reproaches you (119:42)

*Trust in His word (not your own) 119:42

*Don't allow His Truth to depart from your mouth (discipline and backbone...we need some) 119:43

*Wait for Him (stop pulling out the Visa and Mastercard!) 119:43 ...maybe He put you in a difficult financial situation so you could see Him and depend on Him more like Israel in the desert before the Red Sea. God made them go through the hard stuff so they would grow a little.

*Consistently walk in His Word and keep it diligently! 119:4, 45 He is truly the King and we 'really' need to obey Him... He 'really' is the Creator that 'really' needs to be listened to...

*True Liberty comes from seeking Him!!!! -119:45 We need to preach this!!!! And it's not financial liberty it's spiritual. This is what Jesus was offering in John 4.

*Speak of Him... -119:46 stop being ashamed of our God and his Son. Say the name Jesus... it's the most precious name there is. Don't let some stupid politician scare you from speaking the name of our savior... and yes, His name includes His words and what He stands for TRUTH!
which is what people today really need. You might get in trouble, but in Love let it fly.

*I shall delight in You -119:47 (delight in God not the junk the world seems to offer. Who wants to go in debt for cheap junk when God is offering Himself for free) Don't trade the birthright for a stupid bowl of soup! (Jacob and Esau - remember)

*Come to Him wanting Him...lift your hands to Him and not the local mall and the latest gadget -119:48

*Meditate daily on Him... one day this may be all you have -119:48
But it truly is all you need. -John 4:13-14, 32-34

"Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." -Jesus

Psalm 119:41-48 Third Read

Imagine this (Or Picture this):

As you get up in the morning and your feet hit the ground you're saying:
"May Thy lovingkindnesses come to me, O Lord, Thy salvation according to Thy word"
"So I shall have an answer for him who reproaches me..." -119:41-42

As your mind is coming to you and your becoming fully awake your heart cries:
"I trust in your word"
"Do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I wait for Thine ordinances..." -119:43

As you are walking across the room toward the shower your mind is dwelling on:
"I will keep Thy law continually, Forever and ever..."
and will I will walk at liberty For I seek Thy precepts." -119:44-45

As you're in the shower thinking about what you have to do that day your heart says:
"I will speak of Thy testimonies before kings, and shall not be ashamed..." -119:46

While getting dressed and putting your wallet, cell phone, etc. in your pockets you say:
"I shall delight in Thy commandments (today) which I love..." -119:47

During breakfast; (if you eat breakfast) while filling your bowl you're thinking:
I shall lift up my hands to Thy commandments which I love... -119:48

Then as you walk out the door into the world your heart declares:
I will meditate on Thy statutes... -119:48

This is beginning a day dwelling in the presence of God. The minute you wake up your heart and mind race toward His direction. He is in every decision, and every spare moment you find your self running back to Him. This has been Davids passion throughout verses 119:1-48; "God I just want You"... and this desire begins the minute your feet hit the floor and doesn't stop until your head hits the pillow.

Make this reality a goal in your life...
-scott

Psalm 119:41-48 Second Read

I said in a previous blog that I hit a wall when I came to this section. I noticed that I was trying to "think up something to write"rather than letting the Holy Spirit work in my heart and mind first. I would rather not write anything than make up something on my own that sounds like it fits.

Here's a picture that illustrates well the heartbeat of the past few weeks in Psalm 119: Need, Selflessness, Longing, Stranded, Hope in Another, Prayer, Simple Thankfulness, Dependent, etc... This man's palms are turned up and empty waiting to be filled. This is how we come to God. This is what I believe is the meaning in 119:48 - "I shall lift up my hands to Thy commandments." This is what we need, long for, hope in, and dependent on. This is what has been the ache of the first 40 verses: "God I have to have You and Your Word or I'm lost and a stranger with no hope". "Please don't forsake me, please don't leave me, please help me understand, please help me walk." This reminds me of Peter's answer to Christ in John 6:68 when asked if he was going to leave; "Lord, to whom shall we go, You have the words of eternal life?"

Psalm 119:41 "May Thy lovingkindness also come to me, O Lord, Thy salvation according to Thy word; So I shall have an answer for him who reporaches me...For I trust in Thy word.

Have you ever heard your heart say these words to God? Think about it...
-scott

Imitation of Christ

Imitation of Chirst by Thomas Akempis is an incredible book and great to read along with Psalm 119. You know, in those spare times when you have nothing to do. I've been thinking and reading a lot in the past few days: Psalm 119, Imitation of Christ, Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer, and The Practice of the Presence of God by brother Lawerence. No I didn't read the entire book on each... The books are more devotional and set up to read around and not like a novel that you read through cover to cover. I have added a Book section to this blog that links to these books online...

Here are some great quotes from Imitation of Christ that upply to where we are:

Seek to retire within yourself. Love to dwell alone with yourself. Seek no man's conversation, but rather pour forth devout prayer to God that you may keep your mind contrite and your heart pure.

If you completely conquer yourself, you will more easily subdue all other things. The perfect victory is to triumph over self. For he who holds himself in such subjection that sensuality obeys reason and reason obeys the Word of God (Christ) in all matters, is truly his own conqueror and master of the world.

Because few labor to die entirely to self, or tend completely away from self, therefore they remain entangled in self, and cannot be lifted in spirit above themselves. But he who desires to walk freely with Christ must mortify all his low and inordinate affections, and must not cling with selfish love or desire to any creature.

There are many matters of which it is well for you to be ignorant, and to consider yourself as one who is dead upon the earth and to whom the whole world is crucified. There are many things, too, which it is well to pass by with a deaf ear, thinking, instead, of what is more to your peace.

Living on earth is truly a misery. The more a man desires spiritual life, the more bitter the present becomes to him, because he understands better and sees more clearly the defects, the corruption of human nature...But woe to those who know not their own misery, and greater woe to those who love this miserable and corruptible life. Some, indeed, can scarcely procure its necessities either by work or by begging; yet they love it so much that, if they could live here always, they would care nothing for the kingdom of God.

How foolish and faithless of heart are those who are so engrossed in earthly things as to relish nothing but what is carnal! Miserable men indeed, for in the end they will see to their sorrow how cheap and worthless was the thing they loved.
-Thomas Akempis

A Lot to Chew On!

I've been working through Psalm 119 for a couple of weeks now and feel like I've hit a wall. Not in a bad way but like the feeling you get when you have eaten too much and you can't get another bite in your mouth. I sense that I'm beginning to just go through it for the sake of going through it and moving on to the next post... which totally defeats the purpose. Also my mind keeps wandering back to what I've been reading rather than what I am reading. So I think it's time to slow down and digest what we've been through. I'm going to re-read 119: 1-40 for the rest of this week... there is some really solid stuff in 41-48 and I can't get my mind around it. So I'm going to do what 119:43b says, "I'm going to wait for God".  I want to get closer to Him and not just zip through the verses and miss Him all together.

119:4 -Thou hast ordained Thy precepts, That we should keep them diligently...

(not just read over them and move on...)

Psalm 119:41-48 First Read...

119:45 says:  And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Thy precepts.

"Walk at liberty" = Life of grace,  free from legalism, the air is easier to breathe, not a lot of stress and anxiety, no fear (Matthew 11:28-30)

This type of life is achieved through walking with God... Seeking His precepts rather than the worlds. It's amazing how people are bogged down today... weighted down with all sorts of things... Have you felt the weight of any of these:

Afraid of getting caught because of a lie you told.

Afraid of someone walking around the corner and catching you watch something you shouldn't.

Afraid of someone checking the history on your computer a seeing the porn sites.

Afraid of someone you've been bad mouthing finding out it was you.

Afraid of being caught cheating on the exam.

Afraid of someone smelling the cigarette smoke or alcohol on your breath.

Afraid of people not hanging out with you and not talking to you.

Afraid of people making fun of your clothes or your body type.

How about:

Worrying about the debt collectors and the overwhelming pile of debt you have.

Worrying about being audited because you cheated on your taxes.

Worrying about not getting the promotion at work.

Struggling with the weight of a large car payment and a huge house payment.

Tired of living like you make $100,000. when you only make 30,000.00

The list goes on...

Life is so much easier when you aren't always afraid to look over your shoulder... worrying about what's around the corner, or getting caught.  This is the result of sin and guilt; which is a good thing actually.  The sad thing is some people have no conscience and actually live in gross sin without any care or worry at all.  Feeling the weight of sin is good. Guilt and anxiety over a sinful life is good. You should feel guilty if you lie or cheat. You should feel shame if you're doing or looking at immoral things. This is God screaming at you that you're a sinner and fallen.  Galatians 3:24 says the Law is a tutor (teacher) that leads us to Christ.  God's commandments, precepts, statutes, take us by the hand and show us our faults then lead us to Christ; the only one who can fix our heart which is the root problem.

Trying to keep up with the world will only kill you in the end.

Truly walking with God and seeking His precepts is a life at liberty; a life at peace.

119:35 - Make me walk in the path of Thy commandments, For I delight in it.

119:37 - Turn my eyes away from looking at vanity, and revive me in Thy ways.

Psalm 119:33-40 Fourth Read...

119:38 says, "Establish Thy word to Thy servant, As that which produces reverence for Thee."

Establish = A solid foundation, Rooted, Firm, Fixed, Un-moveable, Well grounded, Resolved.

This is speaking of the Word of God in our life. Something we cleave to (119:31), a direction we are determined to go in without turning (119:32). Simply devoted and dedicated. (119:33-36).

Why? What is my motive for such a dedication?

Because in it we see Him. We are focused on Him.  The more we see Him, the more we want Him. The more we know Him the more we are in awe of Him... the more we revere Him. 

Does this sound like you... what are you focused on? 

119:37 = Turn my eyes away from looking at anything else... let me see You in everything.

-scott

The Gospel in the Psalm

Gospel centered preaching doesn't manipulate a text into saying what the preacher wants to say, it finds what the text already says about the gospel.  This is what we must do, this is what we must dig for.  The reality of the gospel and the reality of Christ in every verse. 

So where is the gospel in Psalm 119?  Here is what we have read so far.

119:1 - A man whose way is blameless is blessed.

> This would be Jesus and not us. We must observe and seek His testimonies with all our heart. We must walk in His ways. (119:2-3) We must realize the reality of being "Forsaken of God" (119:8) and understand this is truly what Jesus was going through when God turned His back on Him on the cross when Jesus cried "Father why have You forsaken Me"? He went through this for me!

119:9 - So how can I keep my way pure?

> Unmixed from the world, holy, separate unto God, a true "stranger in the world"(119:19). We seek Him in His word with all our heart. We treasure Him and his words. We speak of them, we rejoice in them, we delight in them, we refuse to forget them and let them fade from our minds and hearts. (119:10-16) Meditating on Him becomes our favorite past time and any chance we get our hearts wonder off to where he is.

This is a perfect ideal, but not so easy for someone who's nature is full of sin and prone to idolatry and wondering off...

119:17 - "Mature" thy servant that I may live and keep Thy word!

> Open my eyes that I may see You. My soul is crushed with longing after You. Take away reproach and contempt from me.  I am a stranger in the earth... help me! (119:17-24)

119: 25, 29 - My soul cleaves to the dust... Remove the false way from me.

> I have told of my ways, and You have answered me (confession) My soul weeps because of grief (sin, guilt, frustration) I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Thine ordinances before me, I cleave to Thy Testimonies (Repentance)

> I shall run the way of Thy commandments, For Thou wilt enlarge my heart (Faith in another)

119:33-40 - Lord teach me...

> Teach me O Lord,  give me understanding,  make me walk in Thy commandments...

>Incline my heart to You. Turn away my eyes from the worlds things.

>Establish Your word in me, Your servant.  Produce reverence in me for You.

>Revive me in Your righteousness.

119:41 - May Thy lovingkindness come to me, O Lord, Thy salvation according to Thy word.

> He has...His name is Jesus... "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory..." (John 1:14)

So why doesn't everyone run to Him?  They love there ways rather than His. They are arrogant and wander from His commandments (119:20-23) They delight in the world and look only at vanity (119:35-37) They are not grieved over there sin... they don't even see it (119:28-29, 33-34).  The only thing there heart seeks is self (119:2,10) The only thing they treasure is self (119:11) The only thing they speak of is self (119:13) The only thing they rejoice in is self (119:14)

Do you see they reality of repentance and faith in Psalm 119:1-40?  

David saw it and wrote about it... maybe this is one reason God called him "a man after His own heart".

Where is your heart today?

-scott

Psalm 119:33-40 Third Read...

What are you drawn to?  In good southern terms; "What cranks your tractor"? What do you find pleasure in?  What do you feel a strong attraction for; something that you just love to be involved in.  Simply, what do you like?

Psalm 119:35 says, "Make me walk in the path of Thy commandments, For I delight in it."

The definition of "delight" is the first paragraph of this post. The Greek doesn't include the tractor comment but it implies the same meaning. The author of this Psalm found pleasure from walking in God's path. He was drawn to it, he wanted to do anything to be involved in what God was involved in.  He found "delight in it"... in verse 40 he say's "I long for Thy precepts".  Also in verses 33-34 he expresses his desire to "keep it with all his heart".

Do you seek God's presence?  Do you want to be around Him?  Do you want Him to hang out with you?  Do you desire for God to turn your eyes away from anything that takes them off of Him (119:37)?  Do you grieve the fact that your heart wanders away and ask God to turn it back to Him... do you even notice when your heart wanders off?  

Do you simply fight and struggle to be with Him? 

If not, why not... has the creature become more appealing than the Creator? 

-examine yourself,  get to know your heart and don't let it deceive you.

Psalm 119:33-40 Second Read...

"The cover of every magazine has someone else's view of heaven on it." It's the old 'supply and demand' at work creating idols in our lives. "Create a need or demand then figure out a way to supply it". This is how the world goes around...this is how advertising and media works... this is at the heart of why most people get up every day. "I must have___________, so I must do___________to get___________."

"My life is hell unless I look like the person on that magazine, so I'm going to work out at the gym everyday until I have that body"; that would be heaven. Who's the savior? The gym and the trainer, the diet, the health food lifestyle. These are the things that get the person out of the hell they think they are in and offer them what they think would be heaven.

"My life is hell unless I'm successful and make a lot of money, so I have to go to the best schools and get the right job to give me what I want. Who's the savior? Education and work...

My life is hell unless I drive a certain type of car...
My life is hell unless I dress and appear a certain way...
My life is hell unless I have the latest computer and technology...
My life is hell unless I fit in with a certain crowd...
My life is hell unless I have a certain size house on the best side of town...
My life is hell unless I have the best furniture and my house looks a certain way...
My lie is hell unless I have a certain size ministry...

Take a look at yourself and determine what drives you. What do you want? What do you live for? What do you think is heaven? Your life is hell without_____________, your life would be heaven with________________.
What motive sets your goals each day? What are you trying to achieve and why? This is how you find the idols in your life.

Watch TV and ask yourself what are they trying to tell me. What are they trying to sell me? Not just the commercials either. The lifestyle's they portray, the politics they push through every show. The trends they want you to buy in to... They lust after power and influence so they try to get you hooked on something so you'll need them. You'll find that they are very spiritual... Sex is a god, money is a god, education is a god, success is a god, clothing is a god, technology is a god, and so on... people get up everyday and serve__________to get more of there god_____________.

Repentance is turning from these god's and turning to Christ. Not running to Him thinking He'll give you the other stuff if you "tithe enough"... Realizing your life is Hell without Him and giving it all up to just have Him. He's the savior, He's the treasure, He's the pearl of great price. Everything else is just empty and leaves a bad taste in your mouth. He fills you with a well that never ceases to flow...Himself. Don't try to manipulate Him to get something from Him. Just go after Him...

119:36-38 "Incline my heart to Thy testimonies, And not to dishonest gain. Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, And revive me in Thy ways. Establish Thy word to Thy servant, As that which produces reverence for Thee.

Where is your heart? What are you looking at? What do you serve?

Psalm 119:33-40 First Read...

Often people refer to the Psalms as a place to pray. "Take a Psalm and pray it back to God". This is a great way to stay biblical in your prayer. It is also a great way to only pray religious words that have no impact on your heart if you're not careful. Prayer is the heart calling out to God. An aching, worshipful, thankful heart speaking to its Creator and Savior. Psalm 119:33-40 is a great Psalm to think about, understand, and pray through.

Look at the motive of the prayer:
119:33 - "Teach me, O Lord...
119:34 - "Give me understanding...help me keep it with all my heart
119:35 - "Make me walk in Thy path...

This is a student that is coming to the classroom of scripture ready to learn. His hand is out and his mind is ready and "tuned in". He wants to learn. He sees the benefit of what he will receive. He isn't playing games... he's finally serious and ready to do what it takes to learn from the Master. Both verses 33 and 34 he says; "I shall observe it". He plans to put what he learns into action... This is where we need to be every morning when we wake up and start a new day with God...

How do we get here? How do we get to where we can say; "I delight in it"?

We start by praying this:
119:36 - "Incline my heart to Thy testimonies, and not to dishonest gain."
119:37 - "Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity...
119:38 - "...produce, in me, reverence for Thee
119:39 - "Turn away my reproach..."
119:40 - "...revive me through righteousness"

This is where we must begin before we are ready to say "Lord, teach me..."

The foundation is first poured in the heart before the mind can be developed and built up properly.  If the heart isn't right the mind will not stand...
-scott