The Path to Eternal Joy

Psalm 119:105-112

P.O.P.

God’s Word is our guide to righteousness and eternal joy.

Kids

God’s Word shows us the way to eternal life with God.

I. God’s Word is a guide to righteousness (105-106)

Psalm 119:105-106 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules.”

A. Lamp

My feet

“The Bible is a light for our moral path. The path is dark because the world is dark, but the Bible clarifies the issues and shows us how to walk through the darkness”

James Montegomery Boice

B. Light

My Path

What does this reveal to us?

1. Darkness exists

2. Righteousness is not seen

*Righteousness is not seen apart from God’s revelation.

3. Desire to walk in righteousness

“Love to the Word and esteem for it are best evidenced by making a practical use of it in a man’s conversation. Whosoever loves it, so as to obey it, shall find a sweet, lively, and comfortable life in it to carry him through all the dark passages of this sinful life, so that he shall have cause to say, ‘Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.’”

David Dickson (1500’s minister, Scotland)

C. Oath

Matthew 5:33-37 ““Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.”

Numbers 30:1-2 “Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the people of Israel, saying, “This is what the Lord has commanded. If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.”

James 5:12 “But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.”

Prove it

Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, English Reformer

Cranmer was sentenced to being burned at the stake, unless he recanted. He signed the paper recanted all his teachers on the doctrines of grace. However, once he saw others being burned at the stake he changed his mind. First thing to be burned was his hand “You betrayed me, you burn first.” He would then be burned at the stake.

Keep it

Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and his Church, and Holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people. The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.

Thomas Cranmer, The Book of Common Prayer

II. God’s Word is a revealer of comfort (107-110)

Psalm 119:107-110 “I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word! Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your rules. I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law. The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts.”

A. Affliction

Plea for life

B. Adoration

Teach

C. Desperation

1 Samuel 19:1-5 “And Saul spoke to Jonathan his son and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, delighted much in David. And Jonathan told David, “Saul my father seeks to kill you. Therefore be on your guard in the morning. Stay in a secret place and hide yourself. And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will speak to my father about you. And if I learn anything I will tell you.” And Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his deeds have brought good to you. For he took his life in his hand and he struck down the Philistine, and the Lord worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it, and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood by killing David without cause?””

Remembrance

D. Persecution

Faithfulness

Psalm 119:109 “I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law.”

Psalm 119:110 “The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts.”

*Danger is all around me!!!....BUT, I will not forget

*Enemies are all around me!!!…BUT, I will not stray

III. God’s Word is a provider of eternal joy (111-112)

Psalm 119:111-112 “Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.”

A. Lasting possession

Through joy in the heart.

Resulting in obedient life.

Reasons He will keep God’s decree forever:

1. Be able to live a God-pleasing life.

2. Understand the nature of true righteousness.

3. Divine perspective on suffering.

4. Worship God rightly.

5. Not distracted by snares of evil men.

6. Heritage that will last forever.

James Montegomery Boice

The lamp at the Psalmist’s feet was just a fortaste of the eternal light that would come through Jesus.

A glimmer of hope led to an array of eternal joy through the Son of God.

We do not walk as those who lack clarity or direction but those who have the revealed will of God and the outpoured Spirit of God.