November 13, 2016 May God bless us this day!

Psalms 119:49-50 Hope in the Word!

Psalms 119:49-50 Hope in the Word!

Introduction: I believe we all would agree that the Bible is the Word of God and it is what we need to study, accept, and live by, in our Christian life. Because: 1) It will teach us God’s ways. The Bible tells us that all of God’s ways are good and right. Proverbs 3 says “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom….Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace” (Prov.3:13,17). 2) It will guide you in God’s paths. Isaiah 2:3 says: “He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in His paths.” 3) It will strengthen us for our tasks. II Tim. 3:16-17, All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching,

Let’s face it. You and I cannot afford not to read God’s word. Rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 4) It will comfort you in your sorrows. Romans 15:4 says: “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and encouragement of Scriptures we might have hope”. 5) It will protect us from harm. Proverbs 2:6-12: “For the Lord gives wisdom…He is a shield…He guards and protects” Let’s face it. You and I cannot afford not to read God’s word.

I know also that David, who was responsible for many of these Psalms, if not seeing that they were collected for all men who are searching for God. Believed in God’s Word and knew the value to all men in reading them and accepting them to change their lives. Because they had changed David’s life. 1) Scripture gained his affection: Psalms 119:97, “Oh how I love your law! 2)Scripture made him wise. Psalms 119: 98 3) Scripture gave him understanding no teacher can. Psalms 119:99, “ I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation”. 4) Scripture gave him understanding that the aged cannot.

Psalms 119:100, “I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.” 5) Scripture taught him that there is knowledge that only comes from obedience. Psalms 119:101, “I hold back my feet from every evil ways.” 6) Scripture helped him resist temptation. Psalms 119: 102, “ I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught.” 7) Scripture had become a Spiritual Pleasure to Him. Psalms 119: 103, “ How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” 8) Scripture made him wise unto sanctification. Psalms 119: 104, “Through your precepts I get understanding…”

Lesson Point: Psalms 119:49, “ Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.” God’s promise is at the heart of this stanzas because the promises of God are the foundation of our salvation. It is only if God is faithful to his promises that we have any hope. Psalm 119 began with the promise of blessing to those who keep God’s testimonies (v1-8), and a triumphant and confident promise from the Psalmist that he would keep the commands of God (v9-16). But the following stanzas offered a sense of realism as the Psalmist recognizes that not only are his enemies trying to draw him away, but even his own heart and his own eyes are often inclined in the wrong direction.

So the Psalmist says, “Remember your word to your servant So the Psalmist says, “Remember your word to your servant.” Here is a plea that God will remember what He has promised. But does God forget? Does God have a hard time remembering what He is supposed to do today? Of course not! You see because God has promised to do certain things, David, you and I can say to God, “remember what you said!” The Psalmist does not ask for a new promise, but to have the old word fulfilled. He is grateful that he has received so good a word, he embraces it with all his heart, and now entreats the Lord to deal with him according to it. He does not say, “remember my service to thee,” but “thy word to me.” The word of masters to servants are not always such that servants wish their lords to remember them; for they usually observe

The faults and failings of the work done, inasmuch as it does not tally with the word of command. But we who serve the best of master are not anxious to have one of his words fall to the ground, since the Lord will so kindly remember his word of command as to give us grace wherewith we may obey, and he will couple with it a remembrance of his word of promise, so that our hearts shall be comforted. The Psalmist does not fear a failure in the Lord’s memory, but he makes use of the promise as a plea, and this is the form in which he speaks, after the manner of men when they plead with one another. There is a world of meaning in that word “remember,” as it is addressed to God; it is used in scripture in the tenderest sense, and suits the sorrowing and the depressed. The Psalmist cried, “Lord, remember David, and all

“his affliction”: Job also prayed that the Lord would appoint him a set time, and remember him. In the presence instance the prayer is as personal as the “Remember me” of the thief. It would be all in vain for us if the promise were remembered to all others if it did not come true to ourselves; but there is no fear, for the Lord has never forgotten a single promise to a single believer. “Upon which thou hast caused me to hope.” If we hope upon his word we have a sure basis: our gracious Lord will never mock us by exciting false hopes. Our great Master will not forget his servants, nor disappoint.

Summary: 1) The Lord will remember His Word by which He has given us Hope. a) Hope has to do with the future. b) Hope in the Word is a strong hope. c) There is no stronger foundation for our hope than the Word of God. 2) When afflictions come, God will provide comfort. a) Based on His Words of promise. b) Hoping in the Word will comfort and strengthen us in the midst of difficulties in our lives. c) Because our Savior always remembers us.

Conclusion: But what has our God Promised, that we can and should cry out, Lord remember your word of promise to me? Lord remember ____ and give me hope!