Sound Faith and Secure Fellowship

Psalm 119:73-80

Psalm 119:73–80 (NLT)

73 You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.

74 May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word.

75 I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it.

76 Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant.

77 Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight.

78 Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me; meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.

79 Let me be united with all who fear you, with those who know your laws.

80 May I be blameless in keeping your decrees; then I will never be ashamed.

INTRODUCTION:

Sound Faith and Secure Fellowship Depend upon:

I- RECOGNITION OF GOD’S CREATIVE ACTIVITY (Psalm 119:73-75)

Psalm 119:73–75 (NLT)

73 You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.

74 May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word.

75 I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it.

A- God made you in all of your complexity. (Psalm 119:73)

Psalm 119:73 (NLT)

73 You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.

1 - Recognize Hs power.

(Psalm 100:3; Psalm 139:14; Deut 32:6; Job 10:8)

Psalm 100:3 (NLT)

3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Psalm 139:14 (NLT)

14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

Deuteronomy 32:6 (NLT)

6 Is this the way you repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people? Isn’t he your Father who created you? Has he not made you and established you?

Job 10:8 (NLT)

8 “ ‘You formed me with your hands; you made me, yet now you completely destroy me.

2- Request His wisdom.

(Colossians 2:3)

Colossians 2:3 (NLT)

3 In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

(Proverbs 11:2)

Proverbs 11:2 (NLT)

2 Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

(James 1:5)

James 1:5 (NLT)

5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

B- God created the tie that binds believers together. (Psalm 119:74)

Psalm 119:74 (NLT)

74 May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word.

1- The tie that binds us is our common relationship with God.

(John 13:35)

John 13:35 (NLT)

35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

(Philippians 2:2)

Philippians 2:2 (NLT)

2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

(Hebrews 10:24)

Hebrews 10:24 (NLT)

24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

C- God works creatively in us to draw us closer to Him. (Psalm 119:75)

Psalm 119:75 (NLT)

75 I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it.

1- Even his correction is an act of his faithfulness to us.

(Hebrews 12:5-7)

Hebrews 12:5–7 (NLT)

5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you.

6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?

II- DEPENDENCY UPON GOD’S COMPASSIONATE ATTITUDE (Psalm 119:76-77)

Psalm 119:76–77 (NLT)

76 Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant.

77 Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight.

A- Desire the unfailing love and mercy with your whole heart. (Psalm 119:76)

Psalm 119:76 (NLT)

76 Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant.

1- God’s mercy is desired, not his justice.

(Psalm 13:5)

Psalm 13:5 (NLT)

5 But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.

(Psalm 25:10)

Psalm 25:10 (NLT)

10 The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

B- Delight in the Word of God. (Psalm 119:77)

Psalm 119:77 (NLT)

77 Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight.

1- God’s word is to become the object of our delight - shown by devotion.

(Psalm 1:1-2)

Psalm 1:1–2 (NLT)

1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.

(Psalm 111:2)

Psalm 111:2 (NLT)

2 How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them.

III- CONFIRMATION OF ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S WORD AND WAYS. (Psalm 119:78-80)

Psalm 119:78–80 (NLT)

78 Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me; meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.

79 Let me be united with all who fear you, with those who know your laws.

80 May I be blameless in keeping your decrees; then I will never be ashamed.

A- Confirm confidence in the Lord’s Word and ways consistently. (Psalm 119:78)

Psalm 119:78 (NLT)

78 Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me; meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.

1- We must spend time in meditation upon God’s Word..

(Psalm 1:2)

Psalm 1:2 (NLT)

2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.

(Psalm 145:5)

Psalm 145:5 (NLT)

5 I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.

2- Our focus must be obedience to God’s word.

(Psalm 111:10)

Psalm 111:10 (NLT)

10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!

(Psalm 112:1)

Psalm 112:1 (NLT)

1 Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands.

B- Confirm confidence in the Lord’s word and ways in companionship with other believers. (Psalm 119:79)

Psalm 119:79 (NLT)

79 Let me be united with all who fear you, with those who know your laws.

1- We should strive to live in such a way that other believers will desire to seek out our company.

(John 17:21)

John 17:21 (NLT)

21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

(1 John 1:7)

1 John 1:7 (NLT)

7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

C- Confirm confidence in the Lord’s word and ways through living in commitment to him. (Psalm 119: 80)

Psalm 119:80 (NLT)

80 May I be blameless in keeping your decrees; then I will never be ashamed.

1- We should strive to live in a way that builds a strong testimony for Christ.

(2 Timothy 2:15)

2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)

15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

(Philippians 1:20)

Philippians 1:20 (NLT)

20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.

CONCLUSION: