Psalm 119- Pt 2: Ultimate Guide

Following from last weeks post, we will continue to look though Psalm 119, where we will see how we can be guided throughout life here on Earth. There are many ways in which we can be guided. If we go on a journey we use a map or a GPS. If we get stuck we may stop and ask someone for directions. When we need to know something we go to others; teachers, leaders or those with experience. Thats how we grow. If we’re not growing or learning then we are stood still. It’s important in life to continue our journey of growth and God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit is our ultimate guide.

Yes, we need to listen to the Holy Spirit for our guidance. But we also need to go to the word of God, to learn and grow in wisdom. This word is our ultimate guide for life!

I’ve heard that ‘Bible’ stands for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth!

It is our manual, our guide for life and it is God Breathed, for each and everyone of us.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (v105)

Law As Our Guide

Throughout this chapter (and the Bible) the word “law” is used. This is the laws of God, our instructions. Though they aren’t there to restrict us. But to discipline us and ultimately free us! They are our guide, for which we are to know, keep, follow and encourage others in.

If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts (v92 & 93)

Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. (v97)

I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. (v99)

In order to remember these laws, the word of God, our guides, we need to be mediating on them. That means to keep our focus on them and repeat them. By doing so we can remember them in our minds and then they can become known in our hearts too.

I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, or you yourself have taught me. (v100-102)

Reading and mediating on the word will help to teach us and will help us to grow. Three times in these two verses its tells us to obey or “not depart” from the law, word or guide. Not only do we need to read it, we need to remember it and obey it.

Nun (v105- 112) encourages us to make an oath or declare and promise that we will follow these laws. Nun is aware that they have suffered but immediately says:

Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws. (v108)

We should be encouraged by this and use this as an example. We can ask this of God. Ask Him to teach us His law. But not forgetting to spend time praising Him too, even (and especially!) in the middle of suffering!

Then, Samekh, encourages us by reminding us to;

Love the law (v113)
Hope in the word (v114)
Love, again! (v119)
Be in awe of the laws (120)

Thats a lot of love right there! How do we grow in love?

We get to know that object of affection. Therefore, we get to know God and we get to know His laws and His word. Not forgetting to respect and worship Him, being amazed at His word and His wonders, being in awe of Him.

Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold, and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path. (v127 & 128)

Not only are we to love this law, it should be our priority, our first and foremost, God should be our sole focus. That is the first commandment (Matt 288:38). Then when we are in that place, in our hearts, we won’t want to take a wrong turning, we will only want what God’s plan and path is for us. He tells us that his plans are to prosper us and not to harm us. His plans are to give us hope and a future. (Jere 29:11)

Our Guide Through Difficult Times

Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. (v132)

Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts.(v141)

Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight. (v143)

I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. (v147)

Look on my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law. (v153)

Yes, we will experience trouble, problems, difficult times and distress. But we can be comforted but Gods law and His word. By not forgetting it and hoping and delighting in it.

We need to take this example and cry out in pray to God. He may see us and know our situations but He wants us to talk to Him, We can ask God for help and to be delivered from it all! The last section of this chapter, written by Taw, is in the form of crying out in prayer: