Word Live: The Way Of Faithfulness
What challenges are you facing in your life right now? Pray that today you will find the grace you need to keep going.
Bible passage
Psalm 119:25–48
ד Daleth
25 I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.
26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.
27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws.
31 I hold fast to your statutes, Lord;
do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.
×” He
33 Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart towards your statutes
and not towards selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
38 Fulfil your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my life.
ו Waw
41 May your unfailing love come to me, Lord,
your salvation, according to your promise;
42 then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth,
for I have put my hope in your laws.
44 I will always obey your law,
for ever and ever.
45 I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.
46 I will speak of your statutes before kings
and will not be put to shame,
47 for I delight in your commands
because I love them.
48 I reach out for your commands, which I love,
that I may meditate on your decrees.
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Explore
Although there is no background story to Psalm 119, when we read between the lines a picture does emerge of how the writer finds resources in God’s Word to deal with various challenges. In these three stanzas we see how Scripture helps us to persevere when times are hard.
Strengthened by God’s Word (v 28). Here the writer says he is weary with sorrow, that he has been ‘laid low in the dust’ (v 25). He is not defeated, however, but instead prays to be strengthened according to God’s Word. The promises it contains fortify us in the trials of life.
Guided by God’s Word (v 35). Often we are perplexed and uncertain as to which way to go, but when we spend time in God’s Word we find he directs us in the right path. Often Scripture speaks directly to our situations, giving us the guidance we seek.
Trusting in God’s Word (v 42). Trust is an essential part of the life of faith. This means relying on the promises of God even when things are bleak. His Word is true, and eventually will come to pass, no matter how long it takes.
Author
Tony Horsfall
Respond
What has God said to you of late through his Word? What promises are undergirding your faith right now? Remember that ‘God is not human, that he should lie’ (Numbers 23:19). His Word can be trusted.
Deeper Bible study
The greatest laws are to love God and to love your neighbour.1 ‘Whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.’2
Continuing from last Sunday, we look at the next three stanzas of Psalm 119. In the fourth stanza (vs 25–32), the psalmist expresses severe distress and asks God to strengthen and revive him through his Word (vs 25,28). The various verbs in verses 30–32 show vividly that the psalmist has made his choice in life. He has chosen to follow, set his heart on, hold fast to and run along God’s ways. The decision to stick to God’s ways sustains him. Do not wait till you are in distress but resolve now to meditate on his Word.
The fifth stanza (vs 33–40) opens with a threefold request for divine instruction, understanding and guidance in order to obey and delight in God’s laws. From our readings in Mark, we have seen that the disciples frequently struggle to understand Jesus’ teachings and require his ongoing help. His departure from this world creates a problem (who would now explain God’s ways?), but Jesus promises his disciples (and later generations of believers) the continual presence and assistance of the Holy Spirit. A major function of the Spirit is to provide exactly what the psalmist asked for in this stanza: instruction, understanding and guidance in God’s ways.3
The sixth stanza (vs 41–48) starts with the psalmist declaring that he has put his hope and trust in God’s Word (vs 42,43). Many people today view God’s Word as ancient and outdated, but this could not be further from the truth. The Bible is God’s supreme and definitive revelation for all people and all times. When faced with competing narratives about reality, we would do well to recognise that God is the ultimate reality and that adherence to his Word will keep us in line with that divine reality.
Reflect on your attitude to the Bible and how you can cherish, study and live it out more.
1 See Mark 12:29–31 2 Rom 13:8 3John 14:26; 16:12–15
Author
Cor Bennema
