Wait For God's Word

Introduction:

The book of psalms is best understood as meditations and reflections on the Law of God.

Blessed is the person who keeps the word of the Lord - ;

We should be impressed that the longest psalm in the book of Psalms which is also the longest chapter in all of the Bible is a tribute and testimony to God’s word!

For those who strive to follow God, we should not have a shallow estimation of God’s word.

God’s word should be in our hearts and minds; it should be our counselor and meditation for every matter and question that enters our minds.

The psalmist would say that even in affliction, pain, and suffering that he would wait for the words of God.

Do we wait to hear God’s words? Do we consult the Bible for everything that we do in our lives? -

Let’s “wait for God’s words!” If we learn that important lesson now, we will be blessed.

Blessed Are Those Who Walk In Law

The theme of the entire psalm is the law and commandments of God -

Keeping the law is a matter of faithfulness -

Observing the word of God is a way to show reverence to the One who gives the law -

Liberty is found in the law -

We mistakenly think since we are “free” in Christ that we have been set free from keeping and obeying the law.

Nothing is further from the truth! - ;

Freedom from the bondage of sin is found in the righteous ways of following God’s word!

We are in danger when we stray from the path and do not have law and authority for what we do.

Law is what protects and preserves our freedoms in Jesus Christ.

Our companionship, friendships, and close interactions ought to be with those who keep the word of God -

Those you keep company with says a lot about your heart and what is in your heart: are you friends with the world or are you friends with the righteous? -

This is why fellowship in the local church is to be protected -

Waiting for God’s word and His commandments is not a testimony to us being perfect -

The psalmist recognizes that he had gone astray and sinned.

In fact, it is with that understanding that he is able to say all the more that he needs the word of God.

As those who have struggled with sin, the last thing we need is no boundaries—we need God’s law.

Like a child, the quickest way to have a spoiled child is by not giving them boundaries and never saying “no.”

We, like children, need God’s law.

Going beyond God’s word will lead us astray -

God’s words are a light to our path; if we turn from His word then we are walking in darkness -

The Lord rejects those who wander away from His statutes and commands -

Why? Because they have left Him.

“This sounds like legalism”

A word that is never used in the Bible. And it’s often used in a derogatory way for those who are adamant about keeping the word of God.

Yes, to many, it may sound like I am a legalist (by their definition).

People say the Pharisees were legalists.

Jesus never condemned them for their desire to strictly keep God’s words - cf.

They were unfair and unjust and hypocritical in their observance of law; they taught strict obedience, while they disobeyed the law; they violated the law “in the name of the law” (deceiving themselves into thinking -

It’s not legalistic to suggest we must be baptized for forgiveness of sins—we all must do so.

It’s not legalistic to suggest that we must refuse instrumental music—no church should do so.

We don’t create a system where it’s okay for us to do something and where it’s wrong for others.

…those who do not keep God’s commands

The psalmist describes the wicked as those who refuse to keep God’s laws.

They are double-minded -

They do not love the law.

They may say they do, but they don’t keep the law—that’s not love.

They are caught between two mindsets: following God’s law or doing man’s will

They break God’s law - ,

They remove themselves outside of the lawkeeping and obedience - ,

They are covered with fat -

They are hardened and calloused.

They are “padded” and filled with too much that causes people to turn from the law.

The law cannot penetrate their heart.

There are one of two responses people will have to the word of God:

Fight or Flight

Flight — they “wander”(vv. 10, 21, 118) or are “far” away from the law of God (v. 150)

Fight — persecuting the righteous (vv. 51, 107, 157)

Those who are weak will respond in one of these ways and sometimes the fight will lead to flight.

For those who are not committed to faithfulness (v. 30) and reverence (v. 38) to/for God, they will not express loyalty to God’s word.

They will forsake God and depart from His word.

They will take an antagonistic spirit against those who seek to follow God’s will.

Seeing God In His Word

God works through His word -

God works through His word -

Is it God who revives our soul and saves us? Yes.

How does He do it? According to His word.

There is a clear relationship between God and His word.

The psalmist says he keeps the word of the Lord because of His reverence and fear for the Lord -

He remembers the Lord’s name by keeping His law -

Do not use God’s name in vain—might be more than just watching what we say, but can include our attitude about God’s word!

Our attitude towards God’s word is indicative of our attitude toward God Himself -

Inspiration, God-breathed

The word of the Lord is the King’s announcement. It is the message He declares and sets forth. God’s word is His law which we are to obey.

God’s word is binding, authoritative, and helpful for what we need.

Paul recognized the word of the Lord and how it benefits its hearers -

Jeremiah spoke a word of the Lord, demanding the people of Judah keep His word because God commanded it -

God’s word is not a hardship; it’s an avenue for us to receive His blessing!

When we respond negatively to instruction from God’s word, it shows a deficiency in our attitude toward God:

Need for Bible authority in all that we practice (commands, examples, inferences) for the work of the church

Social drinking

Immodesty

Instrumental music

Marriage, divorce, and remarriage

Work of the Holy Spirit

When we grow defensive, upset, or refuse to change in light of teaching in the Bible, that reveals a great deal about our heart and attitude toward God’s word.

When we look for ways to compromise, it reveals an deficient attitude toward God -

God’s word is settled. It cannot be changed nor compromised.

The Bible, God’s word, is binding and authoritative. It gives commands for us to enjoy liberty and life with God.

We must respect His word and use it as our guide in all things.

Look for the commands He gives.

Look for the patterns and examples that are shown to us.

Look for the implications for what the Lord wants us to do.

God’s word is settled and we must obey His word!

Conclusion:

We need to turn away from compromises in God’s word; we need to receive instruction positively with a desire to do God’s will. Our reactions show how we not only receive God’s word, but how we respond to God Himself.

Do not be like the wicked; do not wander away from God and His word—turn to Him and be united with Him in the fellowship of His word.

Express the meditations of your heart like the psalmist: love the Lord and His word, commit to obeying His word throughout all of your life.