An Anchor for Life

Psalm 119:17–24

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- 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 itself. (Psalm 119:17)

Psalm 119:17 (NLT)

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

1- Our very existence is dependent upon God.

(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.’

2- Everything good that we receive in life originates with God.

(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.

3- Our redemption is from God, therefore we should pursue living for Him.

(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 His World. (Psalm 119:18).

Psalm 119:18 (NLT)

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

1- It is God who opens our eyes to understanding reality- through His Word.

2- We are not to hide God’s truth - like moses his his face after seeing God.

(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.

C- Dependence for Guidance through this life. (Psalm 119:19)

Psalm 119:19 (NLT)

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

We are pilgrims on earth - Like Abraham.

We need His directions to successfully travel through this life.

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

A- The desire to know and understand God’s will. (Psalm 119:20)

Psalm 119:20 (NLT)

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

1- We need to cultivate a longing to learn God’s Word.

2- If we hunger and thirst for His righteousness, he promises to satisfy our need.

B- The desire to escape the fate of arrogant rebels. (Psalm 119:21)

Psalm 119:21 (NLT)

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

1- God always resists the prideful but gives grace to the humble.

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

A- The decision to be faithful to God in the midst of criticism. (Psalm 119:22)

Psalm 119:22 (NLT)

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

1- We need to establish our decision to be faithful in spite of insults and criticism.

B- The decision to search out God’s ways in spite of opposition. (Psalm 119:23)

Psalm 119:23 (NLT)

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

1- We must establish our decision to seek-out God’s directions for every decision ion spite of opposition.

C- The decision to joyfully and enthusiastically apply the counsel of scripture to everyday life. (Psalm 119:24)

Psalm 119:24 (NLT)

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

1- God’s word always gives wise counsel!

2- When we fix our thoughts on trusting in and following our Lord, we experience His peace.

(Isaiah 26:3)

Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

3- Following Him results in joy now and in eternity.

(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: