The Excellence of God's Word (Psalm 119:113-120)

Introduction

We continue our examination of as we look at the excellence of God’s Word

Last week we looked at one point as found in :

God’s word provides illumination

We turn our attention to two points from :

The double-minded

The LORD our God; our Refuge and Shield

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The double-minded

The Psalmist expressed intense dislike for vain thoughts ()

thoughts (סֵעֵף c̨êʿêph, say-afe´; from 5586) divided (in mind), i.e. (concr.) a skeptic (one who doubts):—thought. (Strong's (Vol. 2, p. 83))

There are many doubters in the world today

Not always is it stated explicitly but it is seen in words and deeds!

The Psalmist is talking about a divided mind

The Bible warns against having a divided mind

Strong, J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 2, p. 83). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” ()

wavering = doubting = skeptical

unstable (akatastatos (ἀκατάστατος, 182), “unsettled, unstable, disorderly” (a, negative, kathistemi, “to set in order”) (Vine’s (Vol. 2, p. 530))

God wants order () not confusion ()

A kingdom and a house divided against itself cannot stand ()

Only hurting ourselves when we have a double mind ()

It is not possible to serve two masters ()

Elijah tried to get the people of his day to see this ()

Hands need to be cleansed and the heart purified in order to draw near to God ()

Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 2, p. 530). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.

In other words, a double minded man will not be able to draw near to God

On the other side of the coin, the Psalmist expressed love for God’s law ()

We can put our trust in God and His law for He cannot lie (; )

His word is truth (; , , ; )

The only question is, will I give God all of my heart, soul and mind? ()

God wants it all therefore I cannot be a double minded man and be right with God

Question: Is anything stopping you from giving God everything? ()

The LORD our God; our Refuge and Shield

A beautiful theme found in the Scriptures is God being our refuge and our protector ()

hiding place (סֵתֶר c̨êther, say´-ther; or (fem.)) a cover (in a good or a bad, a lit. or a fig. sense):—backbiting, covering, covert, × disguise [-th], hiding place, privily, protection, secret (-ly, place). (Strong's (Vol. 2, p. 84))

סִתְרָה c̨ithrâh (), sith-raw´; from 5641; a cover (in a good or a bad, a lit. or a fig. sense):—backbiting, covering, covert, × disguise [-th], hiding place, privily, protection, secret (-ly, place).

Preservation from trouble (a tight place) (, , )

If it is one thing God has done for His people it has been to provide them with refuge ()

What more secure place could there be than under the shadow (protection) of Almighty God (Shaddai)? ()

Children of Israel witnessed this first hand with the destruction of the Egyptians in the Red Sea ()

Strong, J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 2, p. 84). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

Parallel for us is any enemy we face with the ultimate enemy being sin which separates us from God ()

God took care of the Egyptians and He will take care of our sin ()

When we place our trust in the LORD, He will see us through the storms of life ()

If there was one ship in all the sea that was not going to sink it was that one!

Question: Am I putting my trust fully in God and His word?

God will be our refuge but we must be on His side ()

God is our shield ()

shield (מָגֵן mâgên, maw-gane´) a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler); fig. a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile:—× armed, buckler, defence, ruler, + scale, shield. (Strong's (Vol. 2, p. 61))

מְגִנָּה meginnâh, meg-in-naw´; from 1598; a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler); fig. a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile:—× armed, buckler, defence, ruler, + scale, shield.

A shield is the soldier’s best friend and is a defensive weapon

This figure of speech shows God as the protector of His people (, , )

God assured Abram that He was His shield after his return from the slaughter of the kings ()

God is always with His faithful servants!

Strong, J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 2, p. 61). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

God is always with those that trust in Him ()

This is why we need the shield of faith ()

shield (2375. θυρεός thurĕŏs, thoo-reh-os´; from 2374) a large shield (as door-shaped):—shield. (Strong's (Vol. 1, p. 37))

No longer talking about a small shield!

This shield was designed to protect the whole body

Strong, J. (2009). A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 1, p. 37). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

This was the shield that Goliath used against David which required a person to bear it before him (, )

It takes great strength to wield this shield!

Faith shields us from all the fiery darts (arrows) of the wicked one

Question: Does my shield have any holes in it?

Question: Do you hope (trust) in the word of the Lord?

Faith comes by hearing the word of God (; )

It is shown by our obedience to God ()

Faith without obedience is like a soldier without a shield; the result will be the same - death

Conclusion

Do you love the law of the Lord?

If you are wavering tonight I have one question for you: “How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if <insert anything else>, then follow him (or it)”

Serve the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind by obeying the gospel

God will be your refuge and shield

He is a sun and shield for them that walk uprightly ()

Question: Are you walking uprightly tonight? If not, why not? Resolve to serve the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind by continued faithfulness

Trust in the Lord and hope in His word