WORD THAT GUIDES, GUARDS & PURIFIES Psa 119:9-16

With what shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word. (10) With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me wander from Your Commandments. (11) I have hidden Your Word in my heart, so that I might not sin against You. (12) Blessed are You, O Jehovah; teach me Your Precepts. (13) With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth. (14) I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches. (15) I will think on Your Commandments and have respect to Your ways. (16) I will delight myself in Your Precepts; I will not forget Your Word.

Introduction Young people are full of ideals ◦ Want do what is good and what is right, just, fair. ◦ Change the wrongs of the past ◦ Current issues

Cleanse … What? Really means doing the right things Problem: How do we know what is right? 70’s example:

How to walk in moving sand? Moral relativism: is the view that moral judgments are true or false only relative to some particular standpoint (for instance, that of a culture or a historical period) and that no standpoint is uniquely privileged over all others. A postmodern thinking It is self-defeating and illogical Pervasive in American society, as a license to act at will.

What standard should we live by? The word of the Lord ◦ Unchanging ◦ Eternal ◦ Trust worthy

The Word is to guard and protect Provide instruction & direction To protect us from do wrong and then suffering the consequences Gives, rather than to constrain our freedom Not as legalism

Conclusion How to do right: ◦ Have a passion to do right ◦ Have wisdom of discernment ◦ Learn and heed the words of the Lord ◦ Know that the Word of the Lord guides, guards and protects us