Learning to Face Reality

Psalm 119:17–24 (NLT)

17 Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word.

18 Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.

19 I am only a foreigner in the land. Don’t hide your commands from me!

20 I am always overwhelmed with a desire for your regulations.

21 You rebuke the arrogant; those who wander from your commands are cursed.

22 Don’t let them scorn and insult me, for I have obeyed your laws.

23 Even princes sit and speak against me, but I will meditate on your decrees.

24 Your laws please me; they give me wise advice.

INTRODUCTION:

I- WE MUST EXAMINE OUR DEPENDENCE (Psalm 119:17-19)

Psalm 119:17–19 (NLT)

17 Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word.

18 Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.

19 I am only a foreigner in the land. Don’t hide your commands from me!

A-Dependence for life & death. (Psalm 119:17)

Psalm 119:17 (NLT)

17 Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word.

(Acts 17:28)

Acts 17:28 (NLT)

28 For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’

(James 1:17)

James 1:17 (NLT)

17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

(Ephesians 4:1)

Ephesians 4:1 (NLT)

1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.

B- Dependence for insight into God’s Word. (Psalm 119:18)

Psalm 119:18 (NLT)

18 Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.

(2 Corinthians 3:13)

2 Corinthians 3:13 (NLT)

13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away.

(John 14:16-17)

John 14:16–17 (NLT)

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.

17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.

C- Dependence for guidance for life. (Psalm 119:19)

Psalm 119:19 (NLT)

19 I am only a foreigner in the land. Don’t hide your commands from me!

* Like Abraham

(Psalm 119:105)

Psalm 119:105 (NLT)

105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

II- WE MUST EXPRESS OUR DESIRE. (Psalm 119:20-21)

Psalm 119:20–21 (NLT)

20 I am always overwhelmed with a desire for your regulations.

21 You rebuke the arrogant; those who wander from your commands are cursed.

A- Desire for God’s righteous judgments. (Psalm 119:20)

Psalm 119:20 (NLT)

20 I am always overwhelmed with a desire for your regulations.

(John 16:13-14)

John 16:13–14 (NLT)

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.

14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.

(Matthew 5:6)

Matthew 5:6 (NLT)

6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.

B- Desire for God’s rebuke of the arrogant. (Psalm 119:21)

Psalm 119:21 (NLT)

21 You rebuke the arrogant; those who wander from your commands are cursed.

(Psalm 139:21)

Psalm 139:21 (NLT)

21 O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you? Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you?

III- WE MUST ESTABLISH OUR DECISION. (Psalm 119:22-24)

Psalm 119:22–24 (NLT)

22 Don’t let them scorn and insult me, for I have obeyed your laws.

23 Even princes sit and speak against me, but I will meditate on your decrees.

24 Your laws please me; they give me wise advice.

A- The decision to be faithful. (Psalm 119:22)

Psalm 119:22 (NLT)

22 Don’t let them scorn and insult me, for I have obeyed your laws.

(1 Corinthians 4:2)

1 Corinthians 4:2 (NLT)

2 Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.

(Psalm 101:6)

Psalm 101:6 (NLT)

6 I will search for faithful people to be my companions. Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me.

B- The decision to be strengthened. (Psalm 119:23)

Psalm 119:23 (NLT)

23 Even princes sit and speak against me, but I will meditate on your decrees.

(Ephesians 6:10-18)

Ephesians 6:10–18 (NLT)

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.

15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.

16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.

17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

C- The decision to be submissive to God. (Psalm 119:24)

Psalm 119:24 (NLT)

24 Your laws please me; they give me wise advice.

(Isaiah 16:3)

Isaiah 16:3 (NLT)

3 “Help us,” they cry. “Defend us against our enemies. Protect us from their relentless attack. Do not betray us now that we have escaped.

(Psalm 16:11)

Psalm 16:11 (NLT)

11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

CONCLUSION: