BACK TO THE BASICS

Psalm 119:9–16 NKJV

How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

Main Idea: God desires for us to spend daily time in His Word.

Key Question: What is your plan for reading the Bible in 2021?

1. Read the Bible for the right reasons. (v. 9-11)

Psalm 119:9–11 NKJV

How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

“by being cleansed” (v. 9)

Psalm 119:9 NKJV

How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.

John 17:17 NKJV

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

“that I might not wander” (v. 10)

Psalm 119:10 NKJV

With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!

Psalm 119:133 NKJV

Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me.

“that I might not sin” (v. 11)

Psalm 119:11 NKJV

Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

Deuteronomy 6:4–6 NKJV

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.

2. Read the Bible with the right focus. (v. 9-11, 15-16)

Psalm 119:9–11 NKJV

How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

intentionality: “take heed” (v. 9) / “with my whole heart” (v. 10) / “I have hidden” (v. 11)

Proverbs 4:23 NKJV

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

Psalm 1:1–3 NKJV

Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

Psalm 119:15–16 NKJV

I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

determination: “I will…” (v. 15-16)

Psalm 119:97 NKJV

Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.

James 1:25 NKJV

But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

3. Read the Bible and reap the right fruits. (v. 13-14)

Psalm 119:13–14 NKJV

With my lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches.

Proclamation: “with my lips” (v. 13)

Psalm 119:13 NKJV

With my lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth.

Matthew 12:34–35 NKJV

Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.

Praise: “I have rejoiced” (v. 14)

Psalm 119:14 NKJV

I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches.

Psalm 19:9–10 NKJV

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.