Psalm 119: Focus On God's Word Pt. 48

Live this life with a desire to obey God's Word. 

Psalm 119:17  GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. 

The third eight verse section begins with a prayer by the Psalmist that he might live his life with a desire to obey the Word of God. 

We certainly do not deserve the least of God's mercies because we are born inheriting Adam's sin nature. Then, we are individually condemned by God for our own sins that we commit. It is a double portion of a death sentence and yet, God gave us the way of salvation. 

Romans 3:23 tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The whole world is guilty of sin before God. Furthermore, death comes to all of us because we have all sinned (Romans 5:12). 

Jehovah has a heart of love toward all mankind.

Psalm 78:37-39  For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant. 38)  But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath. 39)  For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again. 

Though this text speaks of Israel, it also encompasses mankind in general. Our heart is born with a tendency to sin and is not right with God. All humans are born as sinners and we need to look no further than the world around us today for proof of this truth. 

Yet, if we come to understand the vile nature of our sin and turn from our own wickedness with repentant faith, and call upon Jesus Christ to save us, He will save us. He will cause your old life to pass away and make all things new for you.  

Thus, a born again Christian will swiftly find out that Jehovah is full of compassion. He will fully forgive all who place their faith and trust in Christ. 

He also knows that we are weak, frail creatures whose days pass swiftly like a morning fog that evaporates in the sunlight. We were made from dust and will return to dust when we die (See Psalm 103:8-18).

Jehovah will not destroy the believer in Christ, even though we have sinned against Him. 

Why? Because the believer is safe "in Christ" and when the Father looks on us, He sees first the righteousness of Christ that has been given to each believer. This gives us an idea of the cleansing power of Jesus' blood. 

"Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood, To every believer the promise of God, The vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives" (Words from a hymn of Fanny Crosby titled "To God Be The Glory").

Therefore, there is no condemnation or divine wrath resting upon the head of sinners who turned to Jesus Christ with repentant faith. 

Jesus paid the penalty for our sins and endured the wrath of God that rightly should be poured out on each of us. 

This is why a Christian's life should be full of joy and happiness. Jesus saved us to the uttermost and we are rightly related to God through faith in His Son. 

Jehovah gives life, sustains life and will carry us through to heaven. 

Isaiah 46:3,4  Hearken unto me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb: 4)  And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. 

How much does God love us? He gave us life in our mother's womb. He will carry us all the way through this life, from infancy through old age, and will deliver us safely into the portals of heaven. 

Thus, a Christian's life is a life filled with the good providence of God keeping us alive, for the purpose that we might love and serve Him. As the Reformers said, this is the chief end of man. 

This is why the Psalmist took time to pray for another day to live before His God. He wanted one more day of opportunities to honor and glorify God with his thoughts, words and actions. 

All believers hearts should be full of gratitude. Why? Because what we deserve as sinners is the wages of our sins, which is death and eternal condemnation. 

What we receive when we are born again is the gift of God which is eternal life and all condemnation removed (Romans 6:23). 

The Psalmist teaches us that we can pray for a long life and a spirit that willingly submits to God with obedient faith. We must train ourselves to remember that one day this earthly life will be over, and we will begin a new life in a new place with a new body.

Let us remember we have limited time on earth. 

Psalm 90:12  So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

God has numbered our days, and one day, the Lord will no longer have a work for us to do. He will carry us home to spend eternity with our Lord and Savior, the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. 

Our heart should be fixed on serving God here and now, with an expectancy of being in the very presence of Jesus Christ, when our earthly pilgrimage is completed. 

Have a focus on Jesus Christ that impacts all of life. 

Colossians 3:1-4  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2)  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3)  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4)  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 

Those who are born again are here described as being risen with Christ to walk in newness of life. Paul tells us that we ought to seek those things which are above, even as we faithfully discharge all of our earthly responsibilities and duties. 

We must set in our minds, a vision of Jesus Christ seated at the right hand of God in glory. This will help us do all things as if we are doing them with Christ in the same room with us. For in truth, that is what we are doing. 

Live for Christ now. Long for heaven's joys. 

Philippians 1:21-24  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22)  But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23)  For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24)  Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

The apostle Paul captured the very same thing that the Psalmist is sharing with us. If God permitted him to live, he would live for Jesus Christ. If God called him home to heaven, then Paul would have gained the eternal prize. 

His apostolic ministry, so widespread and richly blessed by God represented the fruit and focus of Paul's earthly labors. He knew the choice to go to heaven or continue ministering on earth was not his choice to make. 

Notice Paul's clarity on living life with a heavenly perspective. His keenest desire was to leave this world behind and go to glory to be with Jesus Christ. Yet, he also wanted to minister to the Philippian believers because they still needed apostolic teaching. 

Therefore, the Christian's outlook should be: "If the Lord give me a long life on earth, then Amen. Let me live it out doing His kingdom work. If the Lord takes me home tomorrow, then Amen. Let Him do according to the good pleasure of His perfect will for my life." 

Psalm 118:17  I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. 

David said the same thing, indicating  that if Jehovah let him live, he would declare all that God has done to all people that he encountered. 

Acts 13:36  For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: 

Later on, when Paul preached about King David, he shared a wonderful understanding of how believers in Christ should live this life.

This would be a great way for all of us to be remembered by those we love. That we serve our own generation faithfully, seeking to spread the gospel of Christ and living in accord with His will. Then, Jehovah takes us home to heaven as soon as we fall asleep in death.  

Thoughts to Ponder...

We should value this earthly life as full of opportunities to serve God and live for His glory.

We should praise God for His providential care of us, knowing beforehand all conditions and situations that we may find ourselves facing, and knowing He will provide what we need. 

As we manage our earthly affairs and carry out our duties, let us measure our actions by the Word of God and seek to ensure that all of our being wants is to bring God glory. 

We must praise God for numbering our days. This means that we will not die until our work for Christ is done. As long as He has work for us to do, He will maintain life and strength for us.

We must be content and joyful if God sees fit to gives us a long life, in order to serve Him longer. 

May we seek to be fruitful and productive Christians especially as we grow old. 

Father, help us to maintain a sharp focus on Jesus Christ and to hold a clear view of heaven in our mind. Teach us how to live for your glory now, while longing for Christ to take us home to eternal glory with You. 

Is there anything as beautiful as knowing a saint of God who lived for God all the days of his or her life? Let us be those who live for the glory of God as long as we have breath.

Bob