The Power of the Word of God.
Psalm 119:9 “Wherewithall shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word.”
[Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. It is divided into 22 sections, a number according to the Hebrew Alphabet. Almost every verse has a reference to God’s Word. (Commandment, Statutes, Precepts, Testimonies, Way, Law, Judgments, and Righteousness)]
These verses (9-16) deal with the power of the word of God to cleanse, and to keep the soul from the influence of the world.
So God shows a test-case: a young man. He is just starting into the world. And there are a lot of natural attractions to draw him away from God. Things untried, which could lead him into a path, away from God.
Is the Word of God able to keep him?
Yes. For the light of the Word draws the soul,….showing it the whole scene, not just what the world wants to show you.
(Psalm 119:105 “Thy Word is a lamp until my feet, and a light unto my path.”)
Psalm 119:10 “With my whole heart I have sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments.”
The Word of God shows things in there true character.
It does not “sugar-coat” the darkness which the “highs”, “fun”, or “following the crowd”, can bring; but shows it plainly.
It brings God into the picture before him. The world would leave God out of everything. Saying, “He will ruin everything. He is so narrow-minded.”
(The world sees the “narrow way” [Matthew 7:13-14) as restricting, and harsh. But every child of God which walks in this way, finds it freeing. We are watched over, guided, provided for even in trials, and most of all, we are never alone.)
But God’s Word testifies that God always has His children’s best interests at heart. He draws them with the Word, which opens up everything before them….including their own souls.
The soul, when sees what God says, believes and gets freedom, or the power of choice.
(We are not able when we are first born again to be free from the besetting sins which so easily plague us. They come back again and again.
But as we deny ourselves, and follow Christ, we begin to be free from these things; for the power of the Word and the Holy Spirit enable us to master ourselves and our circumstances. At the same time we know our need of Christ more and more.
This is a blessed paradox: We are more free, yet more dependent. It really comes down to the “master” we choose.
This is sanctification, or willing to be set aside to God. This is freedom: closer to God, further from sin.)
John 8:31-32. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
And with that freedom, there is such enlargement of heart, mind, and will.
There is power in the Word, by His Spirit. And by our obedience we bring that power within our own set of circumstances.
Psalm 119:11 “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.”
Since it is hid in the heart, it begins to mold and shape it. Opening it up to more of the love, and peace of God.
Praise God: Where the Word is taken in our hearts, it leads. When the Word of God is written on my heart, it brings joy.
Joy is a choice fruit of the Spirit. It lifts us, it strengthens us, it teaches us to believe and trust the Lord.
Psalm 119:14-16 “I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways.
I will delight myself in Thy statutes: I will not forget Thy Word.”
The young man, who was the “test-case”, and we, ourselves, can find the power of God’s Word in our circumstances, now.
Light given, sight received, and power to enable.
Listen to some of the other verses in this psalm:
Psalm 119:28 “My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen Thou me according unto Thy word.”
(No matter how I “feel”, Your strength is there for me. Let me see it)
Psalm 119:45 “And I will walk at liberty: for I seek Thy precepts.”
(His precepts, are His prescriptions for my spiritual health. He writes them, like medicine: which may not taste good going down, but heals.)
Psalm 119:114 “Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in Thy word.”
(We are always “hidden” in Christ, and behind Him. In Him, and can never be forsaken. Behind Him, for as He leads, we are protected.)
Psalm 119:165 “Great peace have they which love Thy law; and nothing shall offend them.”
(Have you ever met a person which could not be offended? they forgive freely, and they have great peace; for they are founded upon a solid Rock of Love.)
Psalm 119:176 “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Thy servant; for I do not forget Thy commandments.”
(We are always the sheep of His pasture. We are always cared for, lest we slip or stumble; His word is always our prop.)
Let us use the power of His Word to us, and be strong in the Lord.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 