Untitled Sermon

Psalm 119

It is an acrostic

Each section of 8 verses is introduced by a letter of the Hebrew Alphabet

Psalm 119 is not structured like a psalm, it is more similar in structure to Proverbs

However, if you pull back

And you look at the Psalm as a whole,

We start to see that this is a Psalm of Lament

But there are recurring themes that show us the reality of what the Psalmist is going through

The primary theme of Psalm 119 is appreciation for the instruction of God

Affliction 23,42,50-51,61,69-71,83-87,95, 110,115,126,134,141,143,150,153-154,157,161

Lawlessness 21,53,78,136,155,158,

When affliction hits, we can be comforted by the promises of God

Herman Boone says “I run 6 plays, split veer. It’s like novocaine, it always works”

Matthew Hall

Our cities are on fire and our communities are hurting. People are longing for a voice of hope, justice, and love. Secularism cannot fill that void. Hatred cannot fill that void. Destruction cannot fill that void.

Our nation desperately needs a better word. May the gospel of Christ be on our lips. May we stand on the Word of God. May we be absolutely clear about who Jesus is and what He demands of us.

There should be no controversy in God's people speaking against the sin of racism. No controversy in speaking against lawlessness and injustice. No controversy in laboring for peace. No controversy in showing kindness.

What if instead of tearing one another down and striving to establish our own righteousness, we humbled ourselves in prayer and fasting? What if we cried out together to the God of justice, mercy, and grace? We'd be a people marked by hope.

May the Lord move among us, those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, to walk by the Spirit, not carrying out the desire of the flesh. And may the fruit of the Spirit mark us in this moment of trial (Gal 5:16-26).