Psalm 119: Focus On God's Word. Pt. 139 The Blessings Of Obedience

Psalm 119:41-43  VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. 42)  So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. 43)  And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. 

This eight verse section of Psalm 119 begins with a prayer for the mercies of Jehovah to come flowing into the Psalmist's heart. Whatever his situation was, he needed deliverance from Jehovah, and eternal life for his soul. 

His petition of prayer was based upon what God said in His Word.

He trusted the scriptures and this was his source of hope. He encountered those who mocked his faith and who scorned God by saying that He offered no help to anyone. 

The Psalmist wanted to speak God's truth to those who reproached Him, and he trusted that the living God would prick their evil hearts. 

The Psalmist's prayer then broadened to plead that the precious scriptures would never be taken from his mouth, because they were the source of his hope, his joy and his trust in Jehovah for salvation. 

Vowing to obey God's law continually. 

Psalm 119:44  So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. 

At this point, the Psalmist makes a vow, or promise to Jehovah. A vow made to God is not anything to be taken lightly, for God's law spoke to our need to be true to our word.

Follow through on our promises to God. 

Numbers 30:1,2  And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded. 2) If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.

Deuteronomy 23:21  When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.

Jehovah commanded that this be included in the law He gave to Moses. If any man makes a vow to Jehovah, he must fulfill it. God expects our vows to be fulfilled and that we will not break our word. 

When a person makes a vow, God's expectation is that it be carried out completely and in a timely manner. 

Why? Because God always completely, faithfully  discharges His duties toward those who trust Him, and when we call upon Him for help, He comes to our aid. 

Therefore, if we promise God that we will do something, we need to fulfill our commitment promptly and quickly. 

If any man was slack in fulfilling his vow, this became a sin, because he promised to do something for another person or something for God, and did not do it. A sin offering was required in this case. 

We must keep God's holy standard in our hearts. 

Psalm 119:44  So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. 

The word "keep" is an important one in this text. It means planting a solid hedge around something significant, to keep animals or thieves away. 

Thus, a hedge is used to guard and protect a valuable resource. In this case, it is guarding and protecting the law of God in the Psalmist's heart. 

The "law" refers to all of the instructions, commands, precepts, judgments and statutes that Moses received from Jehovah on Mount Sinai. Jewish rabbis tabulated the law and found that there are 613 distinct commands. It includes religious laws, civil laws and moral laws. 

The Psalmist expressed hope in the judgments of Jehovah and now he is putting his faith into practice. Anyone can say that they will obey God, but if they do not follow through and seek to obey Him, then such words are meaningless. 

Keeping the law of God continually is the idea of doing it all the time. There are three distinct words translated in sequence,  "continually", "forever" and "ever." 

This paints a picture of a continuous action by the Psalmist, an action that stretches into the ancient past and reaches forward to the distant future. He cannot imagine any moment in his life when he is not actively keeping the law of God.

This also shows how hard it is to persevere in our faith. If we do not continually keep God's law, then the moment we are lax, we might be turned aside from the holy way of God.

Pray to have a heart that fears God and keeps His commands. 

Deuteronomy 5:28,29  And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the LORD said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken. 29)  O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! 

Moses rehearsed all that happened to the first generation who refused to obey God and failed to enter the promised land. He reminded the new generation that keeping God's law is a life long occupation. 

Jehovah looks for such a heart among His children, that would fear Him and always keep His commandments. Why? Because this is the path to blessing and true happiness. This is the path that leads to a good life and blessings for our children. 

We should learn to serve God day and night by avoiding the starts and stumbles of so many professing believers. 

Some make a profession of faith and for a short while seem to have some spiritual life toward God. However, with the passing of time, we often see them get off track or start living for worldly pleasure. 

The Psalmist is teaching us about a constant persevering in keeping God's law, in avoiding sin, and in loving God and our neighbors. 

Please note, that Jesus Christ put an end to all animal sacrifices for mankind's sins, and keeping of the law. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God bore our sins on the  Cross of Calvary and we owe our lives of total surrender and humble submission to our Lord. 

This means if God says "Thou shalt not steal" then we refuse to steal anything from anyone at any time. 

Let me also note that the Spirit of God will never lead a Christian to do anything that contradicts the commandments of God. 

Pray for strength to serve God at all times each day. 

Acts 26:6,7  And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: 7)  Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. 

Paul was put on trial because he stood firmly upon the promises of God and the hope of eternal life in Christ. He confessed that there were many faithful Jews who were "instantly serving God day and night" because they had the same hope that he did.

This is a picture of the commitment and spiritual discipline needed to enjoy the blessing of keeping God's law continually. The Psalmist is calling for an earnest, around the clock offering of his own life as a sacrifice to God. 

He is seeking the kingdom of God first, knowing that blessings will be added to him for making God the highest priority in his life.

Spiritual benefits from keeping God's law. 

Proverbs 6:20-23  My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 21)  Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. 22)  When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. 23)  For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: 

King Solomon wrote the book of Proverbs and he was one of the wisest men who ever lived. This text communicates the same idea that the Psalmist is pressing on us.

Keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's law. Bind them continually upon you heart, which is reading them often, meditating on them and committing scripture to memory. 

We stand to reap great spiritual benefits by doing according to the Psalmist's prayer. By making God's word and His law, an integral part of our lives, His word will lead us, by showing us the way or path that He wants us to walk in. 

It will keep us when we are asleep, which is the idea that whether we live or die, we belong to Christ. 

The word will talk to us, that is, it will shape how we think, what we think about, and what we talk about. 

We will enjoy the blessing of God's word like a lantern, showing us the immediate hazards in our life, so that we do not stumble and fall. 

It will be like a powerful light. Illuminating our path, so that we see clearly where God wants us to go. 

Keeping God's law reflects His Spirit in us and His grace at work. 

1 Peter 1:15,16  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16)  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 

When God's grace is planted in our hearts, it should always be working in us. Just as the fire on the altar of Jehovah was not permitted to go out, so the grace of God is to be doing it's holy, sanctifying work in us. 

Peter connects back to the holy law of God in addressing New Testament believers in the church of Jesus Christ. God has called us to live a holy life because He is holy. Our heavenly Father expects His children to be like He is, holy. 

The word "conversation" refers to our moral choices and the spiritual pattern of our life. It is to be marked by a pursuit of holiness. 

If people watch how a professing believer in Christ lives, then it should be said of that Christian, that this man or woman is living a holy life that conforms to God's Word and blesses others. This is part of being salt and light to a culture that needs it. 

Fear Jehovah and live with hope in His promises. 

Proverbs 23:17,18  Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.  18)  For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

Hear King Solomon once more. He tells us not to allow ourselves to become jealous because sinners seem to have all the fun, enjoying all the trappings of success, and a great life. Their sinful life will one day end in final judgment and they will face eternal condemnation in Hell. 

How should a believer respond? Living with a reverence and fear of Jehovah all day long, for our hopes, and expectations and future glory will never be cut off. All that God promised will come to pass. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

The Psalmist is passionate about following hard after Jehovah and he wants us to follow as well. He is showing us the path of spiritual blessing and the way to enjoy God to the fullest until we are called home to glory.

Let us remember to follow through on any promises we have made to God. A believer in Christ should be known for keeping his or her word. We should fulfill our vows promptly.

Let us remember to put a hedge around God's law in our hearts. We must remember that His law is an expression of perfect morality and as such, the law is an eternal standard. 

The indwelling Spirit of God will always lead us to conform to God's law and our part is yielding to His leadership.  

Let us enjoy the spiritual benefits derived from keeping God's moral law, because in contrast to this, we know that the life of transgressors is hard. 

Let us fear Jehovah and live with hope, for He is the unchanging God who will always do what He says He will do.

Bob