Psalm 119 - Samech

Psalm 119:113-120

There are people all over this world that profess to be Christians but do not live like it.

They have one foot in the church and one foot in the world.

We have lost many young people because of this divided loyalty.

Young people do not tolerate fakes, they can spot them a mile away!

They are looking for someone to show them the way int his world, and when they see someone that professes to be a believer, they want to follow them, but once they see they are not what they appeared to be they become disenchanted and view all Christians the same.

Although we will all fail, how we respond to this failing is what makes the difference.

If we humbly repent, and turn back to the Lord that is different than living one way at church and another way at home.

But how do we deal with those who have divided loyalties?

The Psalmist was dealing with his own countrymen, fellow Jews who professed to follow God.

and yet they were attacking him for following after God with his whole heart.

So, ow do we prevent them from influencing us to have one foot in and one foot out?

This fifteenth section of Psalm 119, I believe, shows us how we can respond correctly.

I. Stick to God’s Word

113 SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: But thy law do I love.

114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: For I will keep the commandments of my God.

You will never go wrong basing your decisions on God’s Word!

The thoughts of the double minded are vain (worthless)

The Psalmist said he hated vain thoughts, this Hebrew word literally means double thinking, perverse thinking that distorts and reverses the truth.

This would especially be true of those who try to use the Bible to excuse their sin.

“I can worship God anywhere” That is true, but where did God tell us to worship?

“I have liberty in Christ, I can _____”

1 Corinthians 8:9 KJV

9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

“I don’t need to attend every service.

Hebrews 10:25 KJV

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Base your decisions and your philosophy on God’s Word and it will not fail you!

Stick to God’s Word!

Why?

A. Because You Love God’s Word

113 I hate vain thoughts: But thy law do I love.

compared to his love for truth, this man hated anything that veered away from the truth.

Loving God’s Word brings peace.

Psalm 119:165 KJV

165 Great peace have they which love thy law: And nothing shall offend them.

Especially when we are dealing with division or other believers who attack us, we need all the peace we can get!

Secondly we ought to stick to God’s Word because:

B. Because It Is a Protection

114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

The Psalmist hopes in the Word of God, because God is His hiding place and shield.

God’s Word ought to be our hiding place, the secret place where we can run for refuge.

Instead of allowing thoughts of revenge, or anger, run through our minds, we need to hide in the shadow of the Word of God.

Let the Word rescue our minds from this mental torment.

and thirdly we need to stick to God’s Word,

C. Because It Will Keep Us Right

It will help us stay from following the evildoers

115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: For I will keep the commandments of my God.

The psalmist gives the evildoers warning - Depart from me!

I will keep the commandments of my God!

God’s Word will give us the ability to do right.

The Bible said earlier in this chapter that it is by God’s Word that we are able to clean up our act!

Psalm 119:9 KJV

9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Psalm 119:11 KJV

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.

Stick to God’s Word, not the opinions of man!

A double minded man loves nothing more than to bring others into agreement with them.

If they have company they will not feel guilty themselves.

So God’s Word will help you to stand firm, but we need to read it, study it, memorize it, meditate on it, and use it!

I was amazed how even the Bible’s being visible can make a difference.

When I was in High School, I kind of started off as a wallflower, and hid in the shadows. But as I became involved with other activities like speech and drama the other kids took notice of me. I gained the ability to come out of my shell a little and although I had a few core friends, I was friendly with everyone, and so everyone was friendly with me. I began to be invited to events and parties, I attended some events but felt uncomfortable with some of the activities that began to pop up. Sometime in my Sophomore or Junior year of High School I really surrendered my life to Christ. I began carrying my Bible with me at school. I would usually would carry whatever books I would need for the next class and my Bible on top. I would get some looks, but no one really said anything to me, but soon I noticed that I stopped being invited to those events, and especially the parties. I remember a friend talking about a group that had gotten together over the weekend. I just casually mentioned, “Oh, I didn’t know ya’ll were going out this weekend.” I probably wouldn’t have gone anyways, but I typically heard the conversations about it.

My friend looked sheepish and said, “Jeremy everyone likes having you there, but they just didn’t think you would want to come.” and he glanced down at my Bible and back to my face. My Bible protected me, and I didn’t even know it!

and then the Psalmist continues with the next thing that will help us to respond correctly when we are confronted by a double minded man:

II. Pray for God’s Help and Strength

116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: And let me not be ashamed of my hope.

117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: And I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

Sometimes we are especially tempted to follow after the doubleminded.

During those times we need to Pray that God will give us strength.

We want to speak the truth so that the doubleminded can change, but we want to do so with love so they can see our heart!

Ephesians 4:15 KJV

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Here in Psalm 119 the Psalmist asks God help Him in three ways:

A. Hold Me Up by Thy Word

The Psalmist cried, “Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live.”

The word translated uphold has been used to indicate a person leaning their hand against a wall for support.

The Psalmist was weary, and needed God’s Word to support him.

Before you read the Bible gt into the habit of Praying and asking the Lord to give you what you need for today.

Ask Him to lead you to the passage that will give you the strength you need.

I’ve been amazed at how God will lay a book on my heart as I prayerfully go to read, sometimes even drawn to a particular chapter.

All of God’s Word is profitable and helpful, but it is amazing when the Holy Spirit leads you to read a passage that deals with exactly what you are dealing with in this stage of life.

Secondly the Psalmist asks God to...

B. Help Me Not Be Ashamed

Verse 116 continues, “And let me not be ashamed of my hope.”

There were times when I was in High School, carrying that Bible from Class to class that I felt embarrassed.

It drew attention to me that made me feel uncomfortable.

I remember once in English class, we were all working on our assignments and my teacher called out, “Hey Jeremy, can I see your Bible? I think this phrase is from the Bible and I want to look it up.”

I could stand in front of the entire school at a rally in a skit with out batting an eye, but walking the ten or fifteen feet from my desk to the teachers desk with my Bible felt like the heaviest burden.

When I got back to my desk I felt ashamed at my shame.

It felt like The Holy Spirit said, “Why were you so embarrassed to bring your Bible up there?”

I remember asking God to forgive me and help me not be ashamed of carrying His Word with me.

When we have to stand against those who are doubleminded it can feel like every eye is on us, but we need to stand on God’s Word, and ask God for help to do it!

Then thirdly the Psalmist prays

C. Keep Me Safe

In verse 117, asks God “Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe:”

Sometimes when the pressure that comes on us for doing right comes, we need to pray for God to hold us up and keep us safe.

When the pressure comes on us, we need to stand firm.

The Bible tells us in Ephesians

Ephesians 6:13 KJV

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Notice the punctuation on this verse…having done all… , … to stand.

Once we have done what we are supposed to do, put on the Belt of Truth, we have put on the breastplate of righteousness, we have put on the shoes of being prepared to share the gospel, we hold our shield of faith, we have the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit.

Once we have done all…stand firm and prepare for the battle.

And see what the Lord will do!

He will hold you up!

When I fear my faith will fail Christ will hold me fast When the tempter would prevail He will hold me fast I could never keep my hold Through life's fearful path For my love is often cold He must hold me fast

He will hold me fast He will hold me fast For my Savior loves me so He will hold me fast

I. Stick to God’s Word

II. Pray for God’s Help and Strength

III. See the Endgame

118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: For their deceit is falsehood.

119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: Therefore I love thy testimonies.

120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; And I am afraid of thy judgments.

The endgame is the final stage of a game such as chess , when few pieces remain.

In these end times, we see the final moves being played before God comes to get his people.

Let’s not lose sight of the purpose!

Realize

A. God Will Judge the Wicked

118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: For their deceit is falsehood.

The Psalmist is so confident that God will judge the wicked, that he speaks in past tense.

Thou has trodden down all them that err from thy statues.

Those who don’t do right will answer to God!

Everyone must stand before God one day and give an account for their actions and thoughts.

Romans 14:10–12 KJV

10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

It is a certainty!

When we see the doubleminded going their separate way, we need not follow them, or allow their pressures to sway us.

See the endgame, they will answer to God!

We just need to do right.

The Psalmist continues this idea of what will happen to the unrighteous, not only will He judge their actions, but...

B. God Will Throw away the Dross

119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: Therefore I love thy testimonies.

The dross is the byproduct of purifying precious metal like silver.

When the silver is heated and melted the impurities are separated from the precious metal and floats to the top, the refiner will scoop off the impurities, or dross, and cast it aside.

The Bible is clear that not all who claim the name of Jesus are His.

Matthew 7:21–23 KJV

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

The Bible says when Jesus comes to rule and reign He will separate the sheep from the goats.

At the rapture the Bible prophecies:

Luke 17:34–36 KJV

34 I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. 35 Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 36 Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

God knows who his sheep are!

He knows the difference between the precious metal and the dross.

It is His job to separate the two, and He will.

Let us that are His love His testimonies!

And then lastly the Psalmist reminds himself that:

C. God’s judgments Will Come

120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; And I am afraid of thy judgments.

The thoughts of the coming judgments on those who have not accepted Christ ought to cause us to tremble.

Every time a preacher preaches on Hell, they are often accused of trying to scare people into heaven.

The whole counsel of God must be preached, but the truth ought to cause people to fear.

We ought not to encourage a decision for Christ for “fire insurance”.

A true decision for Christ will result in change!

How much change depends upon how much we will love His Word, and yield to it!

There will always be double minded “Christians”.

Perhaps they are backslidden Christians who have hardened their heart to the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

Or perhaps they are the dross, that will be separated and put away.

Either way, be careful who influences you today!

Stick to God’s Word

Ask Him for Help

and Remember the Endgame!