7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the LORD are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
God’s intention for our lives are so much greater than what we are able to conceive for ourselves. So often our lives are limited by the expectations of others or the limited exposure we’ve had to possibilities. Sometimes we are limited by our own fears or lack of understanding about who we really are.
The first step in living the life that the Lord intends for us is to recognize God’s power in our lives.
The words of Psalm 19 are written by a king who the Lord had blessed to have victory in EVERY battle. David reigned victorious over every enemy – the Philistines, the Arameans, the Edomites and the Ammorites. God even caused kings to send David costly materials to assist with building his palace. But David did not attribute his great victories, his successes, his triumphs to his own wit and power. David understood that ALL of his help came from the Lord.
When we worship and honor God 1st for who God is… our Creator, the giver and the sustainer of our lives, we understand that it is God working in us and through us to accomplish great things. It’s not about our weaknesses. It’s not about our short comings. It’s not about what people think or don’t think about us. It is God working in us to accomplish His good pleasure. Every life has meaning, purpose, a design, a plan. Our birth did not catch God by surprise. Just as every aspect of nature is intricately woven into a system that connects and supports each aspect of its existence, God has created each us with to be used to bring Him glory and to accomplish His plan and purpose on the earth. Periodically we should stop and ask, “Lord, what is your will and purpose for my life?” Which leads us to our next thought to consider,
God’s Word shows us the way…
Verses 7 & 8 of Psalm 19 declare, NIV
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
Consider the same verses from the Message Bible:
The revelation of GOD is whole
and pulls our lives together.
The signposts of GOD are clear
and point out the right road.
The life-maps of GOD are right,
showing the way to joy.
The directions of GOD are plain
and easy on the eyes.
When we submit ourselves to the Lord, God reveals things that can pull our scattered lives together. He provides sign posts that point out the right road. He provides road maps that lead us towards joy. God’s Word refreshes us, it is trustworthy and can make even the simple, wise. Following God’s Word is right and gives us joy. When we walk in God’s word, God’s way, God’s will, He gives light to our eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the LORD are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
When we walk in reverential fear of the Lord, we will begin to understand that God’s ways are sweet – sweeter than the honey in the honey comb…more precious than gold…
Through God’s word, we are warned and by keeping God’s way we find great reward. So many blessings are along the paths of obedience. When we walk with the Lord and are intentional about keeping His way, the Lord speaks words of warning to us…
The Lord tucks blessings into simple things along the way. David asks the Lord to keep him from “willful sins.” In other words, David understood that God had so many blessings for him along the path of obedience that he did not want to “mess up” his opportunities, his open doors, his spiritual blessings along the way.
In this Psalm we learn that God’s Word revives us, makes us wise, gives joy to the heart, gives light to the eyes, warns us and rewards us. God’s laws are guidelines and lights for our path, rather than chains on our hands and feet. God’s Word points out danger and warn us. But not only that – God’s word points us to paths of success.
When is the last time you prayed, “Lord, keep me from willful sins?” The world would have you believe that serving the Lord is a burden like chains on our feet. But serving the Lord is just the opposite!
Finally, David asks that his own words and thoughts in his heart would be pleasing in God’s sight. David wanted his words and his heart to please God. When you get hurt, or when things don’t go your way or if you stub your toe, what is the first thing that flies out of your mouth? That’s a good check on what’s in your heart. Jesus said out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Everybody can pretend to have a clean heart, but what’s in our heart will come out when we are pressed.
We all make mistakes. We all have felt ways and thought thoughts that are not right before God. We are human. But that’s why this closing prayer is so power. David asks the Lord to cause his words and his heart to please God.
David prayed…
14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
When you find yourself speaking words and thinking thoughts that are not like Jesus, don’t wallow in guilt and shame. Follow David’s example and ask the Lord to help your words and your thoughts to please God. The more we do that, the more our words and our thoughts will line up with godly ways.
Are you living the life that the Lord has for you? Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to you, lead you and guide you or are you hardening your heart against God’s voice? Are you seeking God’s guidance daily in His word or are you just casually leafing through the bible every now and then and sometimes on Sunday? If so, you are missing the life that God has for you.
Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. We have eternal life available to us through accepting Jesus Christ. We also have a joyous, rewarding, fulfilling and prosperous life God has for us in the here and now. Are you taking the necessary steps to live the life that the Lord has for you?
Post a comment or send me an email at Revcsmith1@gmail.com
Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
www.shepastorchris.org
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