Delight and Devotion

Psalm 119:129-136

P.O.P.

The Christian understands direction and delight are found in the Word of God while sorrow is found in disobedience.

Kids

Christians are called to find their joy in the Word of God.

Introduction

1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy

1960’s - 1970’s evangelicalism faced the threat against biblical inspiration and authority.

1977 meeting in Chicago of roughly 300 for the Internatioanl Council on Biblical Inerrancy.

1978 doucment, largely written by R.C. Sproul, adopted called The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerancy.

Signed by John MacArthur, J.I. Packer, James Montegomery Boice, Francis Schaeffer

“The authority of Scripture is a key issue for the Christian Church in this and every age. Those who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour are called to show the reality of their discipleship by humbly and faithfully obeying God’s written Word. To stray from Scripture in faith or conduct is diloyalty to our Master. Recognition of the total truth and trustworthiness of Holy Scripture is essential to a full grasp and adequate confession of its authority.”

Article XI

“We affirm that Scripture, having been given by divine inspiration, is infallible, so that, far from misleading us, it is true and reliable in all the matters it addresses.”

Article XII

“We affirm that Scripture in its entirety is inerrant, being free from all falsehood, fraud, or deceit.”

The heart of a Christian...

I. Delights in God’s Word.

Psalm 119:129 “Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.”

Jeremiah 15:16 “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.”

Ezekiel 3:3 “And he said to me, “Son of man, feed your belly with this scroll that I give you and fill your stomach with it.” Then I ate it, and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey.”

Waking up to Baxter tearing up commentaries. One of those commentaries was Ezekiel. the next day we went for a walk and a book written by Benny Hinn was on the sidewalk. He sniffed it and peed on it.

Verse 129

1. What is wonderful in God's word should be believed.

2. What is believed should be obeyed.

G.R.

Transition: How is it wonderful?

II. Desires God’s Word.

Psalm 119:130-131 “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments.”

For Understanding

The only way out of darkness is through the revealed Word of God.

A faithful Christian is not ...

Someone instituionally trained

Theological scholars

Intellectual elites

People who have fixed all their problems

People who become perfect before coming to the Lord

Knowledge of God, His will, His character, His attributes…comes through His revelation of Himself.

For Satisfaction

Psalm 42:1-2 “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?”

The Psalmist opens his mouth “to be taught rather than to teach…I have opened my mouth, that I might not want to offer what is mine, but desire to receive what is Yours”.

Martin Luther

Transition: What is wonderful about it?

III. Depends on God’s Word.

Psalm 119:132-135 “Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name. Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Redeem me from man’s oppression, that I may keep your precepts. Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.”

Grace from God

The Psalmist understands the character of God.

“You show grace to those who love your name, therefore, be gracious to me for I love your name.”

Psalm 119:123 “My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.”

I love your Word (129)

Your Word is light (130)

I need your Word (131)

Your grace will be given (132)

If God looks and sees us panting [for him], he will not fail to be merciful to us.

Charles Spurgeon

Guidance from God

God’s Word followed in obedience will protect the Christian from sin and disobedience.

God promises to keep his people, and he will keep his promise.

Charles Spurgeon

A life hidden in the Word of God will walk in righteousness through sanctification.

Guarding from God

The Psalmist does not say, “Redeem me from man’s oppression”…for a better life…for a more comfortable life…for an easier life…But to keep the law of the Lord.

The Psalmist understands true deliverence can only come from God.

Glory from God

Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

Psalm 119:135 - NIV: Make your face shine on your servant and teach me your decrees.

The shining face is the teaching of truth. Yahweh’s face shines (with delight and favor) as he teaches his truth.

Alec Motyer

Psalm 24:3-6 “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah”

IV. Detests opposition to God’s Word.

Psalm 119:136 “My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.”

The context is that Yahweh’s revealed truth is so ‘wonderful’ [129] that it is heart-breaking that anyone should fail to keep it.

Alec Motyer

The Psalmist finds himself on the right side of obedience only through the Word of God and the work of the Spirit.

Are we angry merely because the biblically informed traditions of Western culture to which we have become accustomed seem to be dying, or are we upset because God and His glory are not being honored?

Ligonier

The Christian primarily grieves over God not receiving the honor that is due him. The Christian also grieves over the unbeliever not experiencing the delight that is found in honoring God.