God's Word - Part 2

Last week we began to look at Psalm 119. It is the longest chapter in the Bible and is packed full of reasons to place a high priority on the Word of God. The Psalmist cannot contain his love for the Word and wants everyone to know the reason why he is overwhelmed with its beauty. The two emerging questions we are looking at has to do with the value of the Word of God. Let’s continue to look at the question, “Why should I value the Word of God?”

We value the Word because of what it is. It is God Himself speaking. It is God’s law for our lives. It is God testifying of Himself. It is God providing guidance for our walk in the world. The Psalmist displays this by referring to the Word of God with many different names throughout this Psalm.

We also value the Word of God because of what it does. The first two verses indicate that it brings happiness. “Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are they who keep His statues and seek Him with all their heart” Psalm 119:1-2. In essence, he is saying that our happiness is tied to valuing the Word of God.

The Word produces cleansing. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” Psalm 119:9-11. The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to regenerate the heart of the believer. The Apostle Paul describes the kind of cleansing that takes place when he describes the love a husband should have for his wife. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” Ephesians 5:25-27. The Holy Spirit shows us what pleases God through the very Words of God. He is calling us away from sin and into purity of life.

The Word gives liberty. “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts” Psalm 119:45. There is an element of seeking the truth found in this verse. By seeking the truth, you are on the path of freedom. The world tries to convince us that sin leads to freedom. Peter mentions, “They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity – for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him” 2 Peter2:19. Peter knew this all too well. His own experience of disowning Jesus was on the forefront of his mind. But praise the Lord for the Truth. “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” John 8:32. Jesus is talking to people who put their faith in Him and live according to His Word.

Keep saturating in the Word of God. Let it guide you in all of your ways.

This Sunday we will be baptizing people in both services. It is always good to celebrate what God is doing in the lives of growing disciples. Let’s pray and anticipate a powerful service.

Joy in Jesus!

Pastor Mike

www.findlayfirstnaz.org