Wednesday
Evening Bible Study
April 14, 2004
Introduction
Psalm 119 is the longest psalm and the longest chapter of the entire Bible.
It is an acrostic psalm. Each section of eight verses begins with the same letter
of the Hebrew alphabet. The next eight verses all begin with the next letter of
the Hebrew alphabet. We’re now up to the ninth letter of the alphabet.
It’s a song all about the Word of God. It’s also a song written by someone
who was going through a difficult time in his life.
:105-112 NUN
:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light
unto my path.
We looked at this last Sunday morning.
:107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me
quicken – revive, make alive
God’s Word itself is “alive”
(Heb 4:12
NASB) For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged
sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints
and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
It also has the ability to give “life” to us in our affliction.
:108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill
offerings of my mouth
freewill offerings – n@dabah – voluntariness,
free-will offering; freewill, voluntary, offering
(Psa 119:108 NLT) LORD, accept my grateful thanks and teach me your
laws.
Lesson
Remember to say thanks.
(Luke 17:11-19 KJV) And
it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem,
that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. {12} And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten
men that were lepers, which stood afar off: {13} And they lifted up their
voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. {14} And
when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And
it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. {15} And one of them,
when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified
God, {16} And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was
a Samaritan. {17} And Jesus answering said, Were there
not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? {18} There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save
this stranger. {19} And he said unto him, Arise, go
thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
All ten lepers were healed. All ten lepers stayed healed. Even though Jesus
only told the one leper that his faith had healed him, I don’t imagine that it
was any different for the other nine.
What’s the deal? Why bother to say thanks? It doesn’t seem to have any kind
of benefit.
It’s just the right thing to do.
Yet most of us don’t often think about doing it.
(Heb 13:15
KJV) By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually,
that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Illustration
Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the
poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it.
--
A. W. Tozer in Signposts. Christianity Today, Vol. 39, no. 13.
Illustration
While on a short-term missions trip, Pastor Jack
Hinton was leading worship at a leper colony on the island
of Tobago. A woman who had been
facing away from the pulpit turned around.
“It was the most hideous face I had ever seen,” Hinton said. “The woman’s
nose and ears were entirely gone. She lifted a fingerless hand in the air and
asked, ‘Can we sing Count Your Many Blessings?’ “
Overcome with emotion, Hinton left the service. He was followed by a team
member who said, “I guess you’ll never be able to sing that song again.”
“Yes I will,” he replied, “but I’ll never sing it the same way.”
-- The Pastor's Update
(5/96). Fresh Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching
(Baker), from the editors of Leadership.
:109 My soul is continually in my hand
(Psa 119:109 NLT) My life constantly hangs in the balance
:113-120 SAMECH
:113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
vain thoughts – ce‘eph – ambivalent, divided, half-hearted; from ca‘aph – to cut off, lop off boughs
(Psa 119:113 NLT) I hate those who are undecided about you, but my
choice is clear--I love your law.
(Psa 119:113 NKJV) I hate the double-minded, But
I love Your law.
Lesson
Double-minded and trials
Keep in mind that the psalmist is not only talking about the importance of
God’s Word, but he’s a fellow going through “afflictions”. He’s going through
trials.
(James 1:2-8 KJV) My
brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
temptations – trials, difficult times
{3} Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Trials produce patience, endurance.
{4} But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect
and entire, wanting nothing.
Don’t be bummed when God is trying to grow you in patience.
{5} If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask
of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth
not; and it shall be given him.
In context, James is talking about asking God for wisdom in trials. God
wants to give you wisdom in how to go through your difficulty.
{6} But let him ask in faith, nothing
wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the
sea driven with the wind and tossed. {7} For let not
that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. {8} A double minded
man is unstable in all his ways.
If you’re going to ask for wisdom, you need to ask “in faith”, trusting
that God is going to give it to you. If you don’t ask in faith, you’re going to
be wondering if God can/will help you.
This is being a “double-minded” man.
Be confident in what God wants to do.
Peter and the waves
(Mat 14:22-33 KJV) And
straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go
before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. {23} And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a
mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. {24}
But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed
with waves: for the wind was contrary. {25} And in the
fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. {26} And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were
troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. {27} But
straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good
cheer; it is I; be not afraid. {28} And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if
it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
Peter is going to have some trouble here, but at least he
had the courage to step out of the boat. He was at least a step ahead of the
other disciples.
{29} And he said, Come. And when Peter was
come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. {30} But
when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he
cried, saying, Lord, save me.
Peter’s trouble comes as he looks at the wind and waves
instead of Jesus. This is what happens when we are “double-minded”. We’re
looking at the wrong things.
{31} And immediately Jesus stretched forth
his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore
didst thou doubt? {32} And when they were come into
the ship, the wind ceased. {33} Then they that were in the ship came and
worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of
God.
Peter sinking beneath the waves was linked by Jesus to his
“little faith”. James said we ought to “ask in faith”.
It’s good to know that Jesus is gracious enough to still
rescue us when we struggle.
I just want to learn how to more consistently ask for
wisdom in my trials with faith, expecting to see God give me wisdom and guide
me through the difficulty, to know that He’s going to take me through it.
:121-128 AIN
:122 Be surety for thy servant for good: let not
the proud oppress me.
be surety – ‘arab – to pledge, exchange, mortgage,
engage, be or become surety
good – towb – good, pleasant, agreeable; a good thing, benefit, welfare
(Psa 119:122 NLT) Please guarantee a blessing for me. Don't let
those who are arrogant oppress me!
Lesson
Qualifying for a blessing/loan
When you sign up to get a loan with a bank, they want to know if you
qualify. They want to know if you have the ability to make the payments they’re
going to ask you to make.
When you are first getting started in the credit world, it’s not uncommon
to have someone “co-sign” on the loan with you. The “co-signer” is a person who
promises to make the payments in case you can’t. You may not have great credit,
but if you parents have good credit and they co-sign with you on the loan, the
bank just might give you that loan.
Illustration
A frog went into the Bank of America one day, carrying a cardboard box. “May
I help you?” asked a loan officer. “Yes,” replied the frog, “I’d like to apply
for a home loan.” “And what is your name?” “Kermit Jagger,”
the frog replied. “And what’s yours?” “My name is Mr. Paddywhack.
I don’t suppose you’re any relation to Mick Jagger?” “Yeah,
he’s my dad.” “Sure, he is,” Mr. Paddywhack said. “Incidentally,
do you have any collateral?” “Just what I’ve got in this box
here.” And Kermit Jagger pulled out a glass
ball with an elephant inside. It snowed when you shook it. The loan officer
grabber the glass ball and sputtered, “I’ll have to take this to the vice
president of the bank and see what he says.” “What’s his name?” the frog asked.
“Mr. John Dudley,” came Mr. Paddywhack’s
huffy reply. “Oh, I know him, tell him hi!” said Kermit, as the loan officer
turned and left. He walked into the vice president’s office, glass ball in
hand, and said, “Mr. Dudley, there’s a frog outside in the lobby named Kermit Jagger, who claims he knows you. He wants a home loan using
only this thing as collateral. What on earth is this thing, anyway?” “It’s a
knick-knack, Paddywhack. Give the frog a loan. His
old man’s a Rolling Stone.”
It sounds as if the psalmist is asking God to “co-sign” on a blessing.
As if the psalmist by himself is not qualified to get the blessing by
himself.
We qualify for blessings because of what God does for us, not because of
what we are able to do on our own.
This is grace.
:123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the
word of thy righteousness.
(Ps 119:123 The Message) {123} I can’t
keep my eyes open any longer, waiting for you to keep your promise to set
everything right.
:126 It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they
have made void thy law.
(Psa 119:126 NLT) LORD, it is time for you to act, for these evil
people have broken your law.
Lesson
It’s time for God to work
There are things that are beyond you.
Illustration
No Rest For
The Weary
A pastor walking down a country lane and sees a young farmer struggling to
load hay back onto a wagon after it had fallen off. “You look hot, my son,”
said the pastor. “why don’t you rest a moment, and I’ll
give you a hand.” “No thanks,” said the young man. “My father wouldn’t like it.”
“Don’t be silly,” the Pastor said. “Everyone is entitled to a break. Come, sit
down and have a drink of water.” Again the young man protested that his father
would be upset. Losing his patience, the pastor said, “Your father must be a
real slave driver. Tell me where I can find him and I’ll give him a piece of my
mind for working you so hard!” “Well,” replied the young farmer, “he’s under
this load of hay.”
Sometimes it seems like we’re the farmer under the hay – life is too much. And it is.
You need help.
When Jehoshaphat was being threatened by the nations of Moab,
Edom, and
Ammon, he prayed:
(2 Chr 20:12 KJV) O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might
against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do:
but our eyes are upon thee.
Hezekiah surrounded by the Assyrian army:
(Isa 37:3 KJV) And they said unto him, Thus saith Hezekiah, This day is a day of trouble, and of
rebuke, and of blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.
I have a problem when people call the church and are asking for help. My problem is that I have this notion in the
back of my head that I’m going to be able to help each person that calls. But over the years I’ve found myself almost
resenting people calling because more often than not I find that I cannot
help. But I do know someone who can
help.
Sometimes we simply need to realize that there’s nothing more we can
do. We have to put it in God’s hands.
:129-136 PE
:130 it giveth understanding unto the simple.
If you’re feeling stupid …
:132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me,
as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
(Psa 119:132 NIV) Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do
to those who love your name.
Lesson
Count on God’s mercy
Sometimes we wonder if we can count on God being merciful one more time.
Count on it. If you love Him, He will be merciful.
Another thing you can count on if you love Him:
(Rom 8:28
KJV) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to his purpose.
To those that love
God …
:135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and
teach me thy statutes.
(Ps 119:135 The Message) {135} Smile on
me, your servant; teach me the right way to live.
This comes from the blessing that the priests would put on the people:
(Num 6:23-27 KJV) Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On
this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, {24} The
LORD bless thee, and keep thee: {25} The LORD make his face shine upon thee,
and be gracious unto thee: {26} The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and
give thee peace. {27} And they shall put my name upon
the children of Israel;
and I will bless them.
:136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because
they keep not thy law.
(Psa 119:136 NLT) Rivers of tears gush from my eyes because people
disobey your law.
Lesson
Right attitudes
Follow the importance of attitudes:
(Luke 9:46-56 KJV) Then
there arose a reasoning among them, which of them
should be greatest. {47} And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took
a child, and set him by him, {48} And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive
this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth
him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
The disciples were arguing about who was the greatest. Jesus is concerned
about humility.
{49} And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out
devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. {50}
And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that
is not against us is for us.
The disciples are concerned about competition.
Sometimes pastors get so uptight about other churches that
do things differently than they do.
I’m not sure that Jesus is as concerned.
{51} And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be
received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, {52} And sent
messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the
Samaritans, to make ready for him. {53} And they did
not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
Jesus was getting ready to celebrate the Jewish Passover. This meant that
His actions would be offensive to the Samaritans who didn’t worship correctly
according to the Law of Moses.
{54} And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said,
Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume
them, even as Elias did?
When Elijah was being threatened by the soldiers that Ahab sent to arrest
him, Elijah called down fire and the soldiers were burned up. James and John think
it sounds like a neat idea. They’d like to try it.
{55} But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye
know not what manner of spirit ye are of. {56} For the Son of
man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went
to another village.
Sometimes when we read about people who are blatantly breaking God’s laws,
we can get quite upset.
I wonder if we shouldn’t rather do what the psalmist says, and be crying
tears for them.
In our “Bringing Up Boys” class, we saw a
testimony of a fellow who came out of a gay lifestyle. He met a man who did not
reject him, but continued to show compassion and the love of Jesus to this guy.
The Christian man kept after this gay man for five years, showing compassion. Finally
God’s love broke through. Men and women who are caught in the sin of
homosexuality don’t need our condemnation, they need compassion. Their sin is
bad enough as it is – they need people who will show them God’s unconditional
love.
(Rom 2:4 KJV) Or despisest
thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing
that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?