Bible Pathways - July 15, 2005
July 15
Read Psalms 119
In Today's
The greatness, power, and perfection of God's Word
The purpose of the longest chapter in the Bible is to focus our attention on the only infallible Guide to Life given to us by our Creator. In His Word, God has provided everything we need to be the person He planned for us to be and to accomplish the purpose for which He created us. It is equally emphasized how indispensable it is to know Jesus our Creator, Savior, and soon-coming Messiah King. The chapter opens with: Blessed (Divinely favored) are the undefiled (blameless, whose conduct is beyond reproach) in the way, who walk in the Law of the LORD. . . . and . . . seek Him with the whole heart (Psalm 119:1-2). The undefiled means much more than just avoiding sin or living a good life, it means consciously choosing to do so. We are specially blessed by God as we seek to please Him with the whole heart.
Like David, all who seek God will pray: With my whole heart have I sought You: O let me not wander from Your Commandments. Your Word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You (vss 10-11). It is by taking daily delight in God's Word, as much as in all riches (vs 14), that our fellowship with the Lord is assured. The psalmist continues: I will not forget Your Word (vs 16). This kind of forgetting is more than a momentary memory lapse. It is drifting away from God as a result of becoming so involved in other interests that His Word is neglected.
Daily we need to pray: Make me to go in the path of Your Commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness (vss 35-36). As we do this, we have something to sing about regardless of circumstances (see vs 54). The child of God can also say with the psalmist: Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now I have kept Your Word. . . . It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Your statutes (vss 67,71).
Though he had been afflicted, the psalmist did not find fault with God, nor did he doubt the Lord's wisdom or His justice. For many of us, it is in times like these that we recognize that we have made wrong choices in the past which have led to painful consequences. In the midst of such circumstances we realize that the Bible is priceless, for it alone reveals life's true values and prepares us for eternity. All who love the Lord can say: I rejoice at Your Word, as one that finds great spoil (Psalm 119:162).
Christ Revealed:
By the psalmist who delighted in the Commandments of God (Psalm 119:47). Christ said: I came down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him that sent Me (John 6:38; 4:32-34; 15:10).
Word Studies:
119:1 undefiled = blameless; 119:7 uprightness of heart = sincere intentions; 119:25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust = I am very discouraged; quicken thou me = restore my life; 119:28 melteth = is weary because of grief; 119:83 become like a bottle in the smoke = shrivel like a wineskin in the smoke.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: George Kopchak · Government Officials: Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL), Rep. Daniel Lipinski (IL), Rep. William (Mac) Thornberry (TX), and Sen. George Voinovich (OH) · Country: French Guiana (168,000) on the northern coast of South America · Major language: French · Religious freedom · 88% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Do not worry about anything, but pray about everything (Philippians 4:6).
Optional
Memory Verse for the Week: 1 Thessalonians 4:14
