Psalm 119 (7)

Introduction: Many of you have gone along to help serve in Dominican Republic. You might remember the scene where at the hotel where we stayed? Let me try to describe it for hose who haven't witnessed it. There is a cliff face that looks out over the ocean. At the bottom of that cliff face the waves continually crash upon the rocks. One afternoon we took a walk to the edge of the water and discovered that the constant crashing of the waves against the rocky beach is producing many smooth pebbles. The unceasing friction of the harsh waves is having a smoothing effect upon the rocks on that beach. In a very similar way, the constant, unceasing, unconditional, steadfast, love of God is faithful to smooth out the inconsistencies and rough edges of our obedience.

Transition: Turn with me to Psalm 119 and lets read verses 57-64.

The big point today is this…

The Lord is gracious to help us obey His awesome Word.

Notice again the truth from verses 57-58. what does it mean that God’s grace helps us obey His word? How is this possible? Check out Ephesians 2:8-10 . Point: The grace of God enables us to be Saved through faith but the grace of God also helps us to walk in the good works that He has prepared for us to do.

Transition: With this in mind Psalm 119 57-64 is helping us to recognize God’s sufficient love in our obedience. This prayer from Heth helps us see the evidence of Gods grace in our obedience. Its much like what we read in I John 2:3-6

What is the evidence of God’s grace?

Where do we find help in our obedience? In what specific ways to we see God’s grace helping us obey God’s word?

1. Repentance (vs. 59)

One of the great truths of growing in our relationship to Christ is that the closer we are the more aware of our need for further maturity. The closer we get to the light the more the light reveals the dark places of our soul. The point being that God’s grace helps us to practice repentance. To continually have a change of mind that results in a change of direction. His grace helps us consider our ways in light of His ways and turn our feet to be in alignment with His ways which are always best!

2. Quick obedience (vs. 60)

The opposite of quick obedience is quite revealing. Our delay in doing what God’s word commands reveals our dullness of heart. Delayed obedience exposes our false affections. In other words, when we know what God’s words tells us to do and we say, maybe later, that shows that the Lord really is not my satisfaction. It shows that I’m seeking satisfaction in something other than the Lord. It reveals the sin that besets me because I'm hesitant to obey my Lord.

3. Confident memory (vs. 61)

Even when the ropes of the wicked ensnare us. Even when surrounded by falsehood and traps of the enemy, those who belong to Christ can remember His word. Once again our minds are renewed by the awesome word of God even when our bodies may be ensnared by the wicked. Our hope and courage is a demonstration of the grace of God to cause our minds to reflect on His truth even while our bodies are awaiting the full glory of our final redemption. A passage of Scripture like II Cor 4:7-10 is a great example of this truth.

2 Corinthians 4:7–10 ESV

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

4. Unrestricted praise (vs. 62)

Notice that in the middle of the night he rises to offer praise to His portion. He is praising the Lord on purpose, and his praise isn't limited to a temple, synagogue, or sanctuary. He is not restricted to only praise the Lord during a service. Rather, it seems that he is even intentional rising in the middle of the night for the purpose of giving thanks to the Lord. This tells us that the unrestricted love of God enables us to be unrestricted in our thankfulness to Him. It doesn't have to be a holiday to offer Him thanksgiving. It doesn't have to be a particular day of the week or special circumstance. Rather, like we are told in I Thess 5:18 we should…

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

5. Awe-thentic fellowship (vs.63)

The grace of God helps us to hang out with others who are in awe of the Lord and encourage one another and hold one another accountable to keep His precepts. This is what true authentic comradery looks like. We do one another no good when we think that our support for one another is to just pat one another on that back while we continue in sin. No, authentic fellowship is when we spur one another on the be in awe of our great God and Savior and seek to keep His precepts together. (pick up a copy of healthy church member)

6. Humble prayer (vs. 64)

The final evidence of God’s grace in our lives (certainly not an exhaustive list) is humble prayer. Keep in mind the whole of Psalm 119 is a prayer. And especially in verse 64 the Psalmist proclaims an awareness of the steadfast love of the Lord in the whole earth. Then he humbly asks for the Lord to teach him. The grace of God keeps us in our place; humble before our King and dependent upon His teaching.