Bible Pathway - July 15, 2011
Highlights:
Every verse in this magnificent Psalm magnifies the Word of God. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was Life; and the Life was the Light of men (John 1:1-4), and He (Jesus Christ) brings the Light of Understanding (the Written Word) to all who trust Him (Ps. 119:42,130).
Although the writer of this Psalm is not mentioned, it has been assumed by many to be David whom the Holy Spirit used, since he was a man that God used in many significant ways. David sought the Lord, observed His Laws, and prayed for His help — all with his whole heart. How necessary it is when praying, reading the Word of God, or seeking His will, that we be able to say: With my whole heart have I sought Thee (Ps. 119:10)! That which makes a person truly happy will have eternal value; for all the things of the world soon vanish. Happiness is the outcome of having a right relationship with God and living according to the way of life taught by His Word. Blessed (Happy) are they that keep His Testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart (119:2).
Full provision is made for man's happiness and is revealed in the Word of God. God alone through His Word can give delight, pleasure, and fulfillment as we get to know the unsearchable riches of Christ as written from Genesis through Revelation (Eph. 3:8; compare Luke 24:27).
Much of the emptiness among Christians today stems from being content with accepting doctrinal truth without inwardly applying it to daily experience. Many seem to believe that if a person is conservative or orthodox in doctrine and opposes error, all is well. Yet, it must be obvious from the Word that we measure up spiritually in the eyes of God only as we truly inwardly accept and outwardly express His Word in our daily thoughts and conduct. Obviously, we can't live it if we don't know it. This points out the necessity of reading or hearing all the Bible. Unless we possess His life through the indwelling Holy Spirit and live by His enabling, we lack what is absolutely necessary for spiritual growth and power.
The Pharisees cleansed the outside of the platter (their external appearance) but left the inside of their hearts full of impurities (Matt. 23:25-26). Our Lord rebuked them for emphasizing doctrine and ritual and failing to deal with their heart condition. God demands both inward and outward harmony with His Word. To have the outer without the inner is hypocrisy, but to have the inner without the outer expression, we fall short of what God expects.
Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect (James 2:21-22)?
Thought for Today:
Be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22).
Christ Revealed:
By the psalmist who delighted in the Commandments of God (Ps. 119: 47). Christ said: I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me (John 6:38; 15:10).
Word Studies:
119:1 undefiled =b> blameless; 119:7 uprightness of heart =b> sincere intentions; 119:25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust =b> I am very discouraged; quicken thou me =b> restore my life; 119:28 melteth for heaviness =b> is weary because of grief; 119:83 am become like a bottle in the smoke =b> shrivel like a wineskin in the smoke.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Officials: Rep. Daniel Lipinski (IL), Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL), Rep. William (Mac) Thornberry (TX), Rep. David Cicilline (RI) and Sen. George Voinovich (OH) • Country: Lesotho (2 million) within the east-central part of the Republic of South Africa • Major languages: Sesotho and English • Limited religious freedom • 43% Roman Catholic; 30% Protestant; 6% ancestor worship, divination, and spirit-possession cults • Prayer Suggestion: Pray aloud with your voice — God hears (Ps. 3:4).
Optional Reading: I Timothy 6
Memory Verse for the Week:
Psalms 34:2
