An Undivided Love - Psalm 119:113-128

Introduction:

True Love

To prove his love for her, he swam the deepest river, crossed the widest desert and climbed the highest mountain. She divorced him. He was never home. - Rose Sands

The Saturday Evening Post

The use of the word love in , is no casual use of love, like is commonly used today. When the writer joins the word love & hate together it shows to us that there is full, devoted commitment. This is not mere sentiment. The expression reminds us directly of .

Text:

Opening Illustration on true love...

Psalm 119:113 KJV 1900

SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: But thy law do I love.

Anecdotes and Illustrations of D. L. Moody Related by Him in His Revival Work True Love

True Love

One day when I was in Brooklyn, I saw a young man going along the street without any arms. A friend who was with me, pointed him out, and told me his story. When the war broke out he felt it to be his duty to enlist and go to the front. He was engaged to be married, and while in the army letters passed frequently between him and his intended wife. After the battle of the Wilderness the young lady looked anxiously for the accustomed letter. For a little while no letter was received. At last one came in a strange hand. She opened it with trembling fingers, and read these words: “We have fought a terrible battle. I have been wounded so awfully that I shall never be able to support you. A friend writes this for me. I love you more tenderly than ever, but I release you from your promise. I will not ask you to join your life with the maimed life of mine.” That letter was never answered. The next train that left, the young lady was on it. She went to the hospital. She found out the number of his cot, and she went down the aisle, between the long rows of the wounded men. At last she saw the number, and, hurrying to his side, she threw her arms around his neck and said: “I’ll not desert you. I’ll take care of you.” He did not resist her love. They were married, and there is no happier couple than this one. We are dependent on one another. Christ says, “I’ll take care of you. I’ll take you to this bosom of mine.” That young man could have spurned her love; he could, but he didn’t Surely you can be saved if you will accept the Saviour’s love. If God loves us, my friends, He loves us unto the end. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Series: : The Word of God

The use of the word love in , is no casual use of love, like is commonly used today. When the writer joins the word love & hate together it shows to us that there is full, devoted commitment. This is not mere sentiment. The expression reminds us directly of .

Psalm 119:119 KJV 1900

Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: Therefore I love thy testimonies.

Everyone may have a different definition of love, so does the passage give indicators that tell us how he understands this love, within the relationship?

Is this kind of love really possible?

Point: Because of GOSPEL, we are able to and should abolutely love the Lord our God with full devotion. (REWORD)

Deuteronomy 6:4–5 KJV 1900

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Is this kind of love really possible?

Love/Hate motif evident (v. 113, 119)

Contrast between those who are undivided in their love / devotion to the word and the wicked

Point:

His Servant:

The Lord is a shield/hiding place for his servant - (v. 114) This is war.

The Lord will uphold (sustain) his servant (v. 116-117)

The Evildoers

Implication - (v. 113, 115) they are double minded because they are not devoted to commandments

Err from statutes (115)

The Lord judges them as refuse from metal purged (118).

It should be noted that those not in relationship with God are up for severe judgment

Security/Protection found in the certainty of the Lord’s word.

Point:

“servant” motif is emphasis here (v. 122, 124, 125)

An oppressed (exploit) servant pleading for the word (v. 125)

Pleads for the LORD to be his surety. (122)

“A needy person will beseech someone with resources to pledge some of these to get a creditor off the debtor’s back.” [BCOT]

It carries the thought of taking over responsibility for someone’s debt.

The servant expresses his solidarity to the word (v. 127, 128)

The servant is clear on who he is. The relationship gives way to confident request and confident undivided declaration.

Summary: The servant’s love is undivided, and he is confidence is based on the LORD. What is it that gives him this confidence of a relationship?

As we consider the passage before us, I hope to make the case that

It is not always easy to maintain our loyalty and undivided love to the Lord and his word when we are in the midst of oppression.

“Because of the New Testament gospel of Jesus Christ, we are now able to and should strive to love the Lord completely.”

Anecdotes and Illustrations of D. L. Moody Related by Him in His Revival Work True Love

True Love

One day when I was in Brooklyn, I saw a young man going along the street without any arms. A friend who was with me, pointed him out, and told me his story. When the war broke out he felt it to be his duty to enlist and go to the front. He was engaged to be married, and while in the army letters passed frequently between him and his intended wife. After the battle of the Wilderness the young lady looked anxiously for the accustomed letter. For a little while no letter was received. At last one came in a strange hand. She opened it with trembling fingers, and read these words: “We have fought a terrible battle. I have been wounded so awfully that I shall never be able to support you. A friend writes this for me. I love you more tenderly than ever, but I release you from your promise. I will not ask you to join your life with the maimed life of mine.” That letter was never answered. The next train that left, the young lady was on it. She went to the hospital. She found out the number of his cot, and she went down the aisle, between the long rows of the wounded men. At last she saw the number, and, hurrying to his side, she threw her arms around his neck and said: “I’ll not desert you. I’ll take care of you.” He did not resist her love. They were married, and there is no happier couple than this one. We are dependent on one another. Christ says, “I’ll take care of you. I’ll take you to this bosom of mine.” That young man could have spurned her love; he could, but he didn’t Surely you can be saved if you will accept the Saviour’s love. If God loves us, my friends, He loves us unto the end. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

- The Lord is a shield/hiding place for his servant - (v. 114) COVENANT Reference ()

Consider Abraham to whom the promise of being a shield was made - ,

These promises were “pledges” on behalf of God, and God’s people were to have faith in the word of God. God was assuming the debt (let what has happened to these animals happen to me.) IT WAS A GUARENTEE.

- The Lord is a shield/hiding place for his servant - (v. 114) COVENANT Reference ()

Consider Abraham to whom the promise of being a shield was made - ,

Immediately in Abram’s loyalty seems to be in question.

These promises were “pledges” on behalf of God, and God’s people were to have faith in the word of God. God was assuming the debt (let what has happened to these animals happen to me.) IT WAS A GUARENTEE.

It was God’s word that was the pledge to Abraham.

Immediately in Abram’s loyalty seems to be in question.

Righteousness initially imputed to Abraham in by faith in the promise of God.

It was God’s word that was the pledge to Abraham.

Righteousness initially imputed to Abraham in by faith in the promise of God.

A faith that, though there appeared lapses, he maintained until the promised seed was given.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter of James B. Wholeness Requires Wisdom, Which God Gives to All Who Ask in Faith (1:5–8)

This is the first time in Greek literature that this particular word occurs. James, who uses this same word again in 4:8, has probably coined the term in order to accentuate his concern that believers display a wholehearted, consistent, and integral faith commitment to God. However, while he may be the first to use this particular word, he is certainly not the first to enunciate the concept. The OT blesses those who pursue God with “a whole heart” (Ps. 119:2) and condemns the person who exhibits a “divided heart” (Ps. 12:2; Hos. 10:2). Jesus singled out Deut. 6:5, with its demand for total allegiance, as one of the greatest commandments in the OT: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”

A faith that, though there appeared lapses, he maintained until the promised seed was given.

Sometimes even the “pledges” that the LORD has given don’t seem to be enough in the OT to keep his people faithful.

Transition: If even, God’s people wanted to be whole-heartedly devoted to the covenant of God but we see lapses, what does that leave for us to consider? Do we really love His word in an undivided way? Are we even capable? Only by a better covenant with a better pledge.

This is the promise of

Illustration:

Jesus is the security of a better pledge.

True Love

Ilustration: It is not that you got a better interest rate. It is a brand new covenant, and the LOAN OFFICER is the PAYER, and FULL SATISFIER OF THE DEBT, so he is really not a LOAN OFFICER.

One day when I was in Brooklyn, I saw a young man going along the street without any arms. A friend who was with me, pointed him out, and told me his story. When the war broke out he felt it to be his duty to enlist and go to the front. He was engaged to be married, and while in the army letters passed frequently between him and his intended wife. After the battle of the Wilderness the young lady looked anxiously for the accustomed letter. For a little while no letter was received. At last one came in a strange hand. She opened it with trembling fingers, and read these words: “We have fought a terrible battle. I have been wounded so awfully that I shall never be able to support you. A friend writes this for me. I love you more tenderly than ever, but I release you from your promise. I will not ask you to join your life with the maimed life of mine.” That letter was never answered. The next train that left, the young lady was on it. She went to the hospital. She found out the number of his cot, and she went down the aisle, between the long rows of the wounded men. At last she saw the number, and, hurrying to his side, she threw her arms around his neck and said: “I’ll not desert you. I’ll take care of you.” He did not resist her love. They were married, and there is no happier couple than this one. We are dependent on one another. Christ says, “I’ll take care of you. I’ll take you to this bosom of mine.” That young man could have spurned her love; he could, but he didn’t Surely you can be saved if you will accept the Saviour’s love. If God loves us, my friends, He loves us unto the end. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Righteousness initially imputed to Abraham in by faith in the promise of God.

Jesus is God, not merely walking between pieces of sacrifices, but he is the Sacrifice.

Jesus is not only the better sacrifice, but he is the High Priest of the better covenant.

Moody, D. L. (1878). Anecdotes and Illustrations of D. L. Moody Related by Him in His Revival Work. (J. B. McClure, Ed.) (p. 6). Chicago: Rhodes & McClure.

What makes this covenant so much better? How does it make me able to love the Lord’s Word in an undivided way?

A faith that, though there appeared lapses, he maintained until the promised seed was given.

He, as High Priest, continues forever (a reference to the Resurrection & eternal life) -

He is able to give eternal life (save) those who come to him.

He is distinct from all -

The promises in this salvation though are more rich than we imagine - . This promise, in Christ, has not only been made available to the Jews but in Christ this has been made available to the Gentiles! , -14

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 21: Psalms 101–150, Revised Comment

(cf. Gen 43:9; Prov 11:15; Isa 38:14).

Now we battle for a love that is fully devoted to God because of a love that we have experienced.

Double-mindedness is instability in everything.

Economic inequality may cause us to be divided in our love.

Consider your relationship in Christ - Our rejoicing is in an equality that is in Christ and not pursuit of money or the lack thereof.

Are you compelled by the love you have experienced in Christ?

Temptation to sin may cause us to be divided in our love.

Consider your relationship in Christ - His will, his birthing, his firstfruits

Consider your relationship to the Word - Receive, hear, and do.

Summary: Our struggle for devoted love requires continually considering our relationship, and continually hearing and obeying the word of God.

How should I live a live of devoted love to the Lord’s Word?

(1) Every time the word is taught/preached, find a specific application (exposure of sin, life relationships, poor habits…etc).

Every time the word is taught/preached, find a specific application.

(2) Confidence in Identity

(2)

His security is noted by a clear contrast from those who are double minded. The double minded are contrasted with a love declaration. (119:113). This love declaration gives way to a military like confession that the Lord is his hiding place (119:114). He further delineates between himself and those who are causing him pain (119:115). His security sees expression in a two-verse petition of trust in the Lord to uphold (sustain) him (v. 116-117). He then concludes this stanza with confidence in the justice of the Lord (v. 118-120). This servant’s security is directly connected with the promise of God. Do you believe the word of God? How is your security in the Lord? Are these the expressions you offer? Do you find yourself confident in his justice? Are you undivided in your love for the Lord?

In order to be the most valuable person to the world around us, the best partner, parent etc, we have to first know who we are, what we value and, in effect, what we have to offer. (https://www.psychalive.org/finding-yourself/)

The motif of this second stanza is that of “servant” (122, 124, 125). This is a servant who declares his faithful activities and yet another petition (v. 121). This is who he is, and he is expressing this many times.

What kind of a servant is he? He is a needy servant, who needs someone to take his debt on? Notice the interesting terminology of v. 122. His petition requests that the LORD be his pledge or the one who would get the creditor off of his back. It carries the idea of taking over responsibility for someone’s debt. Having once again expressed his neediness (123), he proceeds to ask the LORD to do a work on the basis of the relationship (124-125). His zeal for the word identifies him as the committed servant (126), followed by an expression of love and value (v. 127). He concludes by once again expressing the value of the law to him and his hatred for all that is false. This is a servant who is confident in petitioning because he belongs to the LORD. His identity gives confidence for petition. Did you know that if you are truly a child of God, you have cause for entering boldly into the throne room of grace to find help in time of need?

The servant’s love is undivided, and his confidence is based on the LORD. Notice that there is indeed a struggle.

While the servant has certainly declared his love for the Lord and his word, it is not always easy to maintain our loyalty and undivided love to the Lord and his word when we are in the midst of oppression.

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 1888 Charney’s Little Flower

1888 Charney’s Little Flower

A Frenchman named Charney incurred the displeasure of Napoleon and was put into a dungeon. He seemed to be forsaken by his friend and forgotten by everyone in the outside world. In loneliness and despair he took a stone and scratched on the wall of his cell, “Nobody cares.”

One day a green shoot came through the cracks in the stones on the floor of the dungeon and began to reach up toward the light in the tiny window at the top of the cell. The prisoner kept part of the water brought to him each day by the jailer and poured it on the blade of green. It grew until at last it became a plant with a beautiful blue flower. As the petals opened in full blossom, the solitary captive crossed out the words previously written on the wall and above them scratched, “God cares.”

But God had a further blessing for this prisoner and the story ends even more happily. The man’s next-cell friend had a little daughter who was permitted to visit the prison. The little girl was pleased with Charney’s love for this plant. And the news reached the amiable Empress Josephine, who commented: “A man who so devotedly loves and tends a flower cannot be a bad man.” And so she persuaded the emperor to set him free.

Charney carried his flower home and carefully tended it the rest of his life. It had taught him to believe in God.

Illustration: Struggle for devoted love

Living a live of devotion often comes in the midst of turmoil.

Notice again the reference to shield/hiding place in (114). This reference is an intentional recalling of God’s covenant to Abram in .

Genesis 15:1 KJV 1900

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

This servant calls upon God to protect him like God promised to this servant’s forefather. He understood this as a promise to himself in this time. Let’s take a look at the significance of this ancient promise of God that this servant was now claiming.

Consider also .

Genesis 15:4–6 KJV 1900

And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

These promises were “pledges” on behalf of God, and God’s people were to have faith in the word of God. Note the ceremony that God performed to confirm that pledge in , .

Genesis 15:8–12 KJV 1900

And he said, Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away. And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.

Genesis 15:17 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.

God was assuming the debt by saying, “If I don’t keep this pledge, let me be as the animals which have been parted.” It was God’s guarantee. The LORD HIMSELF is the GUARANTEE. Thus, the servant has recalled the faithfulness of God as the “Pledge-Maker” and the “Pledge-Keeper”. He cannot lie.

This look at Abram’s covenant makes the servant’s pledge petition in 122 all the more significant. The servant is recalling God’s pledge and manifesting and petitioning God to keep his pledge by HE HIMSELF becoming the GUARANTEE - meaning a guarantee based on the Person of God - who is all-powerful, all-faithful, all-knowing, all-providing, eternally-existing. If the “debt-taker” is endless, then there is no greater GUARENTEE.

What makes the account of Abram so astounding is that in

Genesis 16:1–2 KJV 1900

Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

Abram’s loyalty seems to be in question. Just a short time after God had given the Guarantee, Abram seems to falter in faith, and so it is that this manifests the struggle the servant had, and why he is petitioning for the God who’d already become a pledge to again become a pledge? It is because the pledge to Abram was about something the LORD would do, and the servant understood that there was still more to God’s continuing to fulfill his pledge.

Sometimes even the “pledges” of the LORD don’t seem to be enough in the OT to keep his people faithful. We still see God’s people have faith lapses.

Transition:

If even, God’s people wanted to be whole-heartedly devoted to the covenant of God but we see lapses, what does that leave for us to consider? Do we really love His word in an undivided way? Do we really consider his pledges to be immutable? Are we even capable of living with an undivided love for his word? The answer is that we are, but it is only by a better covenant with a deeply personal pledge. This is what we see promised in .

Jeremiah 31:33 KJV 1900

But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, And write it in their hearts; And will be their God, And they shall be my people.

In order for the LORD to have a people who would be devoted with all their heart to the law of God, the LORD would have to put his law in their hearts.

In order for the LORD to have a people who were undivided in love, He would have to do an extraordinary work on the inside of them.

Transition:

The reason I say that it is deeply personal is because whatever the LORD would do would be more than just a furnace walking in between parted sacrifices. It is personal because what the Lord does is He actually becomes flesh, so that he could make a people who are undivided in love towards Him.

Hebrews 7:22 KJV 1900

By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

Notice the word the writer of Hebrews uses here, when writing to a people who presumably have a Jewish background. He says that Jesus was made “a surety” of a better testament. This is a New Testament word that means “guarantee”.

In the writer is asking Jehovah to be a “debt taker/a guarantee” and here in the New Testament we see that Jesus is made this “debt taker/Guarantee”.

Psalm 119:122 KJV 1900

Be surety for thy servant for good: Let not the proud oppress me.

But Jesus did not merely walk between two pieces of sacrifices. Jesus is the Sacrifice. Jesus is not only the better sacrifice, but He is the High Priest of a better covenant. is where the writer confirms that the work of Jesus is the fulfillment of .

Hebrews 8:8–10 KJV 1900

For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

Jeremiah 31:33–34 KJV 1900

But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, And write it in their hearts; And will be their God, And they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: For they shall all know me, From the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: For I will forgive their iniquity, And I will remember their sin no more.

Jesus is the Way through which people are able to have God’s law written inside of them, their sins forgiven, eternal life received.

But Jesus did not merely walk between two pieces of sacrifices. Jesus is the Sacrifice. Jesus is not only the better sacrifice, but He is the High Priest of a better covenant. is where the writer confirms that the work of Jesus is the fulfillment of . Jesus is the Way through which people are able to have God’s law written inside of them, their sins forgiven, eternal life received.

Jesus is not only offered to save the Jewish people, but the deliverance of Jesus is offered to all people. Jesus is able to offer eternal life to all those who come to Him by faith.

Romans 2:28–29 KJV 1900

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Romans 5:5 KJV 1900

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

It should be deeply concerning when a person who says they are a Christian is not striving to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. It does not mean that they do it perfectly, but if you are not battling for supreme devotion to the Lord and his word, then you should ensure that you have the Spirit of God. If you do not have the Spirit of God, you are none of His.

Romans 8:7–9 KJV 1900

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

As a Christian we battle for devoted love to God because of the love we have experienced in Christ. In , the song writer contrasts his love with hatred for “vain thoughts”.

Psalm 119:113 KJV 1900

SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: But thy law do I love.

The idea here is that of double-mindedness. It is a theme that James picks up on in Double-mindedness leads to instability in everything.

James 1:8 KJV 1900

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

It is a word used only here an in where it is speaking of the effects of a violent storm (PNTC-James).

Interpreting Signs on an SUV

Topics: Change; Choices; Commitment; Conversion; Double-mindedness; Loyalty

Interpreting Signs on an SUV

References: ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

On the way to work, I noticed some interesting signs on the SUV in front of me. The spare tire mounted on the back had the words “Texas Longhorns” and an orange, steer-head icon on it. The trailer hitch displayed another steer-head icon and the word “Texas.” The license plate frame was bordered with the words “Longhorns” on top and “University of Texas” at the bottom.

Topics: Change; Choices; Commitment; Conversion; Double-mindedness; Loyalty

References: ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

But something didn’t add up. The license plate frame was screwed into a “Land of Lincoln” license plate with a picture of old Abe on it. I live in Illinois, and the SUV’s license plate showed that this driver now did too. I assumed the owner of this SUV had moved but had not yet identified with his new home and had no plans of changing loyalties.

On the way to work, I noticed some interesting signs on the SUV in front of me. The spare tire mounted on the back had the words “Texas Longhorns” and an orange, steer-head icon on it. The trailer hitch displayed another steer-head icon and the word “Texas.” The license plate frame was bordered with the words “Longhorns” on top and “University of Texas” at the bottom.

When we move, we often go through a slow transition of loyalties to our new home. And so it is as a Christian. When we come to Christ, the kingdom of God becomes our home, but the kingdom of this world does not easily leave our hearts. The great challenge of the Christian is to overcome divided loyalties and fully identify with God’s kingdom.

But something didn’t add up. The license plate frame was screwed into a “Land of Lincoln” license plate with a picture of old Abe on it. I live in Illinois, and the SUV’s license plate showed that this driver now did too. I assumed the owner of this SUV had moved but had not yet identified with his new home and had no plans of changing loyalties.

When we move, we often go through a slow transition of loyalties to our new home. And so it is as a Christian. When we come to Christ, the kingdom of God becomes our home, but the kingdom of this world does not easily leave our hearts. The great challenge of the Christian is to overcome divided loyalties and fully identify with God’s kingdom.

—Craig Brian Larson, Arlington Heights, Illinois

Larson, C. B., & Ten Elshof, P. (2008). 1001 illustrations that connect (p. 335). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

(1) An inner blindness to how God sees us -

Seeking equality economically or in social status. This lack of biblical perspective may lead us to incessantly desire something that consequently be divided in our love towards Christ.

What is the contrast that James gives to this?

God is not the one who births sin - you are. Rather God is the One who birthed you through the word - So, receive the word, hear the word, do the word -

The struggle for devoted love is real and it lies within us; but devoted love manifests itself in our heart attitude towards the word and our obedience to the word. A person who has been saved and is in covenant with the LORD is able to love the Lord. He loves the Lord by striving to receive the word, hear the word, and obey the word. A lover of the Lord is and obeyer of the word.

If you must, turn your notifications on your smart watches off. This is a way to struggle to be completely devoted in your love for the Lord.

Confess those. Do you battle insecurities about your identity, image issues, spiritual anxieties, sexual desires, adulterous thoughts, gluttony, fornication, pornographic thoughts...etc

(giving of all for the body of Christ, faithfully attending the gatherings...)

These are just a few ways that you can struggle and battled for completely devoted love for the Lord.

Questions:

Are you an unsaved person who is trying to love the LORD fully?

Are you a saved person who is striving to love the LORD through his word fully?

Does the word have your undivided attention?

Do you see how loving the Lord means that you strive for greater devotion to the word?

Because of the finished work of Jesus Christ, are you striving to love the Lord through his word completely?

An Undivided Love - Psalm 119:113-128

A. The Servant’s Undivided Love

(1) Security is found in the certainty of the Lord’s Word ()

(2) Confidence is found in knowing who you are in the Lord ()

B. The Struggle for Undivided Love

“Because of the New Testament gospel of Jesus Christ, we are now able to and should strive to love the Lord completely.”

The Servant’s Covenant Reference

The Servant’s Pledge Petition -

C. The Savior from a Divided Love -

A. The Servant’s Undivided Love

B. The Struggle for Devoted Love

A. The Christian in Devoted Loyalty

(1) The security of the servant is found in the certainty of the Lord’s word.

(2) Confidence of the servant is found in knowing who he is in the Lord. (121-128)

B. The Struggle for Undivided Love

(1)The Servant’s Covenant Reference

(2) The Servant’s Petition for a Pledge

C. The Savior from Divided Love

In summary, because of the New Testament gospel of Jesus Christ, those who are saved are now able to and should strive to love the Lord through his word completely.

B. The Struggle for Devoted Love

The idea is “someone who tries to live two contradictory lifestyles.” (FSB). The literal word means “double-souled”. He is a spiritual schizophrenic.

It is an inner division “that leads to thinking, speaking, and acting that contradicts one’s claims to belong to God.” (PNTC-James)

(1) An inner blindness to how God sees us -

(2) An inner enticement to sin -

A. The Christian in Devoted Loyalty

(1) Give your undivided attention to the word when it is taught/preached.

(2) Identify very specific heart sins with which you struggle.

(3) Strive for increased obedience to the word.

Because of the New Testament gospel of Jesus Christ, those who are saved are now able to and should strive to love the Lord through his word completely.