God’s Word, My. . . Psalms 119

God’s Word, My Delight v47, 92, 174 Can you change what you delight in? How can commands and laws be delight? I. My delight (v47, 92, 174; delight, enjoyment, pleasure Strong Dict) - have your desires ever changed—enjoy something now you once did not? A. Do we have commandments in the new covenant? 1. Mt. 28:20 Yes, this is part of the grace of God—He teaches us! B. How can commandments and laws delight? 1. What is your attitude toward a fence---meaningless restriction or guardrail? ex. Mt. 19:6, 9 2. know and trust the source 3. progressively understand their purpose 4. witness their benefits in life (mine and others) 5. David learned you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife was not a random restriction but a guardrail! C. There are many competing delights (may distract or destroy us), but when God’s word is my strongest delight, I can say like the psalmist. . .!

God’s Word, My Hope v81 When we must wait, we need hope! Heb. 7:19 II. My hope (v81) A. David had hope—ours is even more clear! B. How important are words of hope, when we have to wait? 1. I’ve been at the doctor with Starla and been told “Your baby is dead” and “Your baby is well.” 2. Heb. 7:19 better hope through which... (ex.: Heb. 10:22 draw near in full assurance) a. “draw near” often means worship (Lev. 10:3; 1Sam. 14:36; Eccl. 5:1; Isa. 45:20; Jer. 30:21; Mt. 15:8) b. Singing strengthens our hope, as we sing of heaven as a hilltop, land of rest, golden glory, pearly gleam c. think about how giving, teaching, prayers, LS strengthens our hope every time we worship in sp, truth—then think twice before choosing some optional activity over assembling with saints in God’s presence. C. There are many competing hopes (may distract or destroy us), but when God’s word is my most confident hope, I can say like the psalmist. . .!

God’s Word, My Meditation v97 III. My meditation (v97) A. Israel had many visible things to meditate on—some witnessed miracles, butchered animal and blood offerings, sitting in booths at Feast of Booths (visible reminder of travel from Egypt). B. We have nature (Ps. 19:1-6) and seasons of life (Eccl. 3:1-11; 7:1-14) but our greatest benefit is Scripture. C. I can’t tell you what you need to read and meditate on for this week or “how many minutes” 1. before a Bible class, if you have read and meditated on the topic you will benefit 2. before the Lord’s Day, meditate on the purposes of the day (God, stir up others, grow) 3. before a decision, meditate on what words in Bible relate to that decision and pray 4. learning to ask questions as I read, in addition to what I read a. how am I similar and different from the people in the text? b. where can I learn more about this topic, in Scripture? c. when in the past did I use, or need to use, this Scripture? d. ex.- this is what we are doing right now D. Many competing “meditations” (marriage, job, career, bills, children, parents, hobbies, etc) but when it is my deepest meditation, I can say like the psalmist. . .!

God’s Word, My Light v105 We have a greater light Jn. 8:12 Identifies darkness Shows us what is ahead Mt. 25:46 IV. My light (v105) A. David had all the light he needed, but our Light is brighter Jn. 8:12 1. They had Moses, we have Jesus. 2. They waited for understanding and a basis of full forgiveness, we have both. B. From our Light (Christ) 1. We can distinguish darkness from righteousness a. Col. 2:22-23 teachings, practices not originate with Him b. 3:1-3 set your mind on following Christ only 2. We can see what is ahead: punishment or reward Mt. 25:46 with or without God C. Many people offer light (direction, focus)---when Jesus is my light, I can say like the psalmist. . .!

God’s Word, My Standard of Right v128 Israel’s standard was intentionally temporary Gal. 3:24-25; 6:2 Learn from Jesus how to use the standard Mt. 4:10 what God has said Mt. 12:5 what God has shown Mt. 9:6 what God has implied V. My standard of right (v128) A. What God said to Israel was right, yet much of it was intentionally temporary (Gal. 3:24-25; 6:2) B. Let Jesus teach us how to use the standard (learn what is right)-- 1. What God has said Matt. 4:10 Jesus knew “it doesn’t say not to” is not the way to know what is right when God has revealed His way 2. What God has shown in practice/deed/example Matt. 12:5 3. What God has implied (not requiring us to guess) Matt. 9:6 4. Since Jesus taught this way, we must learn this way---beware when people say “That is just a man-made tradition” and know it is what the church learns from Christ! C. When I learn from Christ how to rightly divide the word of truth, I can say like the psalmist. . .!

Psalms 119 Delight, Hope, Meditation, Light, Standard God’s Word, My. . . Psalms 119 Delight, Hope, Meditation, Light, Standard