Firmly Fixed Forever

INTRO

Psalm 119:89–96 ESV

89 Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. 90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. 91 By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants. 92 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life. 94 I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts. 95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies. 96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

1) God’s Word is Timeless! (v.89-91)

“Forever”

God’s Word is a reflection of His eternal nature.

He is beyond the constraints of time…His Word is beyond the constraints of time.

“…Your Word is firmly fixed…”

Opinions and preferences change…but God’s Word is unwavering.

Societies and cultures change what they find politically correct, but God never changes.

“…endures to all generations…”

While different generations seek to identify themselves and what they think is most important, God’s standards are always set!

He is Truth and what He says is always true, regardless of whether others agree or not.

“…You have established the earth…”

God is the Creator of all of Creation.

He is also the definer of all of Creation.

“…for all things are Your servants.”

Nothing is apart from showing His word to be true.

All good things display His glory.

All evil displays His Holiness and Righteousness

All apathy displays His mercy and providence

All who embrace Him display His grace

All who serve Him display His goodness

All who live by His Word display His Faithfulness

All who rebel against His Word display His Wisdom through their folly

2) God’s Word is Timely! (v.92-94)

“IF Your law had not been my delight…”

Living by His Word brings delight as we walk in fellowship with Him.

It keeps us near Him both in peace and in chaos.

Delighting in the Word all the time, makes sure we find refuge in Him at just the right time.

“I would have perished in my affliction…”

We are broken people living in a broken world.

God is the answer to our brokenness and we discover Him and His purposes through His word as we live His word.

God does not keep us from all affliction, but He certainly keeps us in all affliction.

“…by them [precepts] You have given me life.”

Sin kills us from the inside out. It kills our joy, our purpose, and our soul.

But when we delight in the Lord and live according to His Word, we find life!

Jesus, The Word made flesh, tells us that in Him we find abundant life!

“I am Yours…”

Through the Word of God we discover not only who God is but also who we are!

We discover who He has made us to be in Himself.

“…save me, for I have sought your precepts.”

As we live out His timeless precepts we find timely wisdom for our present circumstances.

As we live out His timeless truths we find timely direction for our present predicaments.

We will only enjoy these realities as we delight in the Lord through His Word!

3) God’s Word is Time-tested! (v.95-96)

“The wicked LIE IN WAIT to destroy…”

The unrighteous who delight in the destruction of truth are fooled into thinking that at some point the Word of God will go astray.

They lie in wait…They respond to righteousness the only way they know to address goodness…that at some point it will come to an end.

All good things must come to an end…but that’s not true for God’s Word.

The wicked may lie in wait to destroy us…BUT we will consider the testimonies of our God.

The truth of God has stood the test of time. It will continue to stand the test of time. It will always be found to be true.

If God says something is right…it is always right.

If God says something is wrong…it is always wrong.

If God says something is dangerous…it is always dangerous.

If God says something is honorable…it is always honorable.

If God says something is true…it is always true.

If God says something is destructive…it is always destructive.

If God says something is an abomination…it is always an abomination.

If God says something is worthy and worthwhile…it is always worthy and worthwhile.

If God says something is wise…it is always wise.

If God says something is foolishness…it is always foolishness.

If the world begs to differ…it is always wrong!

“a limit to all perfection…”

“…but Your commandment is exceedingly broad.”

CALL TO RESPOND

God’s Word is Timeless

God’s Word is Timely

God’s Word is Time-Tested

Are you dedicated to being in Fellowship with God through His Word?

Do you delight in His Precepts?

Are you in His Word and is His Word in you?