Psalm 119: Focus On God's Word Pt. 144 Reading, Remembering, Quickening And Comfort

Reading scripture in order to remember God's Word.

Psalm 119:49  ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. 

The first verse in this section of Psalm 119 reminds us to remember. The act of remembering involves reading the scriptures to become well acquainted with them. 

It involves studying the scriptures to learn what God is saying to us. We gain understanding and when we act on what we know to be true of God, we display wisdom. 

It involves committing scripture to memory. Memorizing scripture forms a reservoir of truth in our soul, from which the Spirit of God dips in and brings truth to our minds when we need it. 

We are to remember what God says to us in His Word. We are to remember His promises and to allow them to fill us with a joyous hope. 

We are to remember the certainty of all that God has declared He will do. He is the unchanging God of eternity who will never change His covenant of faith, nor will He ever fail to keep His promises. 

Reading scripture brings us comfort and revival.

Psalm 119:50  This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. 

This text shows us what supports the Psalmist and where his hope resides. The Word of God not only sustains His soul, it revives him when he becomes weary with well doing. 

The Psalmist also reminds all believers that we are not exempt from persecution or affliction. 

Misery and troubles will come to those who love God and seek to serve Him. 

The world will hate us as it hated Jesus Christ. If we were conformed to the world, then people would readily embrace us, for we would be acting just like they do. 

Believers who live according to the gospel truth, shine the pure light of God upon the wicked ways of an unbeliever.  This is why the sin darkened culture hates Christians. 

The Psalmist also teaches us another important lesson. He receives comfort from reading, learning and recalling truth from God's Word into his thoughts. 

Reading scripture connects with the new birth. 

1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.  

Being born again is connected with the command of Jesus that we "must be born again" (John 3:3). 

The reference to "incorruptible seed" connects with Matthew 13 and Jesus's parable about the Seed and the Sower. 

The good seed sown is the Word of God and the four types of soil indicate four types of human responses to the Word.

It means being born again from above by the power of God. 

How does God do this in human hearts? By creating a new man in us with the word of truth, His holy, inspired scriptures (1 Corinthians 5:17). 

As Paul put it, the gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe (Romans 1:16). 

I have pointed out what this word "quicken" means in many lessons over the years of this blog. 

To "quicken" means to impart spiritual life to those who are dead in trespass and sin. It means to sustain that initial spiritual life which Gods Word and Spirit brings to repentant sinners. 

To "quicken" means to revive us when we are spiritually worn out. It means to revive and refresh our spirits when we are oppressed or depressed. 

Quickening is uniquely connected with the power of God's Word. Satan hates it when a believer discovers and pursues the spiritual vitality that only comes from reading and meditating on the scriptures. 

Reading scripture fills us with joy and comfort.

Romans 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 

All of the scriptures are inspired truth from God. They are written so that we can learn from them about God, how to know Him and what our duties are as believers in Christ. 

As we learn the scriptures, we learn to be patient, waiting for God to fulfill His promises. We find patience for enduring the hardships and troubles of life. 

We find, as the Psalmist did, comfort from the scriptures. Truth from God in our hearts fills us with hope, comfort and an abiding joy. 

Psalm 94:19  In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

Comfort comes from knowing God as He is revealed in His Word. Our minds are renewed and we are changed from glory to glory, as we read and study the Bible (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

We begin to earnestly think about God, His holy ways, and His promises and salvation provision for us. All of our thoughts begin to reflect the God we love and serve. 

Reading scripture brings renewal of mind that withstands all troubles.

2 Corinthians 7:4  Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. 

As we set our affection on the things of God above, we are comforted by God, in a way that passes human understanding. Paul was filled by God's Spirit and full of joy and comfort from the Holy Ghost. 

He was then able to boldly speak truth into the lives of believers and unbelievers. He was joyful in preaching the word even though he suffered much for the cause of Christ.  

Paul and Silas sang hymns in prison after being beaten, scourged, whipped and put in bonds in a prison (Acts 16). The joy that God gives us through His Word is full and needs nothing else to be added to it. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

The scriptures show us God's holiness, righteousness, and His wrath against sinners. He will judge the wicked one day.

He also shows us what that judgment will look like in the end times prophecies. 

Even though such truth is overwhelming, He promises to quicken our inner man and renew our minds in Christ. 

When our Father does this, He will also comfort us with His promises. 

Psalm 71:19-21  Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee! 20)  Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. 21)  Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. 

Read God's Word. Study it and commit it's truths to memory, for great are the benefits that we receive from doing so. 

We will be able to remember the promises of God.

We will be comforted by God when we face trials and troubles.

We will be quickened by God when we need strength and endurance. 

May the Lord of Glory speak to each of our hearts as needed, and may we be ready to respond as we learn more about God and His Word.

Bob