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Psalm 119:1-64

Thursday Evening Bible Study

March 9, 2017

Introduction

Do people see Jesus? Is the gospel preached? Does it address the person who is: Empty, lonely, guilty, or afraid to die? Does it speak to the broken hearted? Does it build up the church? Milk – Meat – Manna Preach for a decision Is the church loved? Target 3300 words Video = 75 wpm

The English word psalm comes from a Greek word that means “a poem sung to musical accompaniment”, or in particular, “stringed instruments”.

The Hebrew name is tehillim, which means “praises.”

The book of Psalms is the hymnbook of God’s people.

It’s also the “Him” book as well. It’s all about Jesus.

The writer of Hebrews quotes from Psalm 40:8 when he writes,

(Hebrews 10:7 NKJV) Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God.’ ”

The author was talking about Jesus.

We’re going to see a lot of Jesus in the Psalms.

Soul Music

Music touches the soul. It’s “soulish” in nature. It touches the emotions.

We’re going to find every kind of emotion possible expressed in the Psalms.

For every sigh there is a Psalm.

For most of us, this is what makes the Psalms so wonderful. We can identify. We can relate.

If we were honest, even darkest most depressing Psalms describe the very things we go through day by day.

It is my prayer that as we continue on this journey through the Psalms, we won’t just look at these songs academically, with our mind, but that we may also grow as worshippers.

For most of us, this is what makes the Psalms so wonderful. We can identify. We can relate.

If we were honest, even darkest most depressing Psalms describe the very things we go through day by day.

It is my prayer that as we continue on this journey through the Psalms, we won’t just look at these songs academically, with our mind, but that we may also grow as worshippers.

Psalm 119 is the longest psalm and the longest chapter of the entire Bible.

It is an acrostic psalm

The verses are in groups of eight.

Each group begins with the same letter, the first group starting with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet (aleph), and for the most part, each line begins with a different word that starts with that first letter. Then the next eight start with the next letter (beth), and because there are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet, there are 22 sections of eight verses.

We think this was done as a way of teaching the alphabet.

It is a song about the Word of God.

There are only two verses (Ps. 119:122,132) where the Word of God aren’t mentioned. All the rest of the verses contain a reference to the Word of God.

The Word of God is going to be referred to by a number of various synonyms. It will be called the “law”, “word”, “saying”, “commandment”, “statutes”, “judgments”, “precepts”, “testimony”, “way”, and “path”.

The psalm is for the most part a “prayer”. The psalmist seems to have been having difficulties, particularly with people who were of high rank or influence, people who ridiculed his faith and were trying to get him to give up his beliefs.

119:1-8 The Word ( א Aleph)

:1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord!

:2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart!

:3 They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways.

:4 You have commanded us To keep Your precepts diligently.

:5 Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes!

:6 Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments.

:7 I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments.

:8 I will keep Your statutes; Oh, do not forsake me utterly!

:2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies

blessed – ‘esher – happiness, blessedness

Lesson

Happiness

Illustration

Wrong Answer?!

The psychology instructor had just finished a lecture on mental health and was giving an oral test. Speaking specifically about manic depression, she asked, “How would you diagnose a patient who walks back and forth screaming at the top of his lungs one minute, then sits in a chair weeping uncontrollably the next?” A young man in the rear raised his hand and answered, “A basketball coach?”

There can be a lot of reasons for depression.

If you struggle with depression, there is not always an easy fix.

Sometimes depression can come from a medical issue, and can be corrected by medication.

While it is not a sin to be depressed, sometimes the reason for our depression can be traced directly back to sin and disobedience.

David wrote,

(Psalm 32:3 NLT) When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long.

David also wrote,

(Psalm 1:1–3 NKJV) —1 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; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 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.

“Blessed” in vs. 1 is also ‘esher, “happiness”

There is a measure of happiness that comes from God’s Word – from reading it, meditating on it, and doing it.

119:9-16 The Word ( ב Beth)

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

:9 a young man cleanse his way

Lesson

Cleansing

In this world that we live in, it’s not hard to acquire a filthy mind.

Illustration

Soap and Water

A fellow was asked to dinner by one of the ladies at church that he he knew as being a bad housekeeper. When he sat down at the table, he noticed that the dishes were the dirtiest that he had ever seen in his life. “Were these dishes ever washed?” he asked his hostess, running his fingers over the grit and grime. She replied, “They’re as clean as soap and water could get them”. He felt a bit apprehensive, but they prayed over the food anyway and started eating. It was really delicious and he said so, despite the dirty dishes. When dinner was over, the hostess took the dishes outside and yelled, “Here Soap! Here Water!”

We need a good detergent to wash our minds – to be “brainwashed” if you will – something a bit better than “soap” and “water”.

God’s Word is that detergent.

When you’ve been dwelling on yucky, filthy stuff – wash your mind out with God’s Word.

Jesus said to His disciples,

(John 15:3 NKJV) You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

Paul wrote about how Jesus washes the church,

(Ephesians 5:26 NKJV) that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,

I find that when my mind is being filled with horrible thoughts, I need to pull out the Word and wash my mind.

It’s the Word that tells us we have a sin problem. It’s the Word that tells us that we need a Savior. It’s the Word that tells us that Jesus died on a cross to pay for our sins. Cleansing starts with the Word, but cleansing also continues with the Word. Confess and be forgiven.

Replace the filthy thoughts with clean thoughts.

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

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

:12 Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes.

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

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

:15 I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways.

:16 I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

:11 hidden in my heart, That I might not sin

hidden – tsaphan – to hide, treasure or store up

Lesson

Vaccination

We all need help with sin. We all love to sin.

Illustration

Dorm Rules

On the first day of college, the Dean addressed the students, pointing out some of the rules. “The female dormitory will be out-of-bounds for all male students, and the male dormitory to the female students. Anybody caught breaking this rule will be fined $20 the first time.” He continued, “Anybody caught breaking this rule the second time will be fined $60. Being caught a third time will incur a hefty fine of $180. Are there any questions?” At this point, a male student in the crowd inquired: “How much for a season pass?”

One of the most powerful things we have available to help us in our struggle with sin is God’s Word.

Look what Jesus did when He had been fasting for forty days, and was tempted:

(Matthew 4:3–4 NKJV) —3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

Jesus dealt with the temptation to abuse His power by answering with Scripture.

He didn’t quote just any old Scripture, but one that dealt with the area of temptation.

Do you know the Scriptures that deal with the areas of your life where you are tempted?

We’ll talk about this during our discussion time.

119:17-24 The Word ( ג Gimel)

:17 Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word.

:18 Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.

:19 I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me.

:20 My soul breaks with longing For Your judgments at all times.

:21 You rebuke the proud—the cursed, Who stray from Your commandments.

:22 Remove from me reproach and contempt, For I have kept Your testimonies.

:23 Princes also sit and speak against me, But Your servant meditates on Your statutes.

:24 Your testimonies also are my delight And my counselors.

:18 Open my eyes, that I may see

Lesson

Prayer and Understanding

God’s Word is incredibly deep.

I’ve been reading through the Bible once a year for the last 30 or so years.

And though I must confess I may often read a passage and not get some sort of new “zinger”, I must also say that I’ve learned over the years that there are times when I see things that I’ve never noticed before, lessons I’ve never thought about.

God’s Word has a spiritual component. There’s an aspect of God’s Word that you just aren’t going to get apart from the work of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus hinted at this when He said,

(John 14:26 NKJV) But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Paul talked about this spiritual component:

(1 Corinthians 2:13–14 NLT) —13 When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. 14 But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.

One of the keys to coming to understand this “spiritual” component is not only being born again, but being open to the teaching of the Holy Spirit, and I think that is why it’s important that we take time to “ask” God for understanding.

There’s a sense in which our “spiritual eyes” need help with God’s Word. There are things we don’t see apart from the help of the Spirit.

We should learn to pray like Samuel was taught by Eli the priest.

(1 Samuel 3:10 NKJV) Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.”

I think that’s a great prayer to pray when you’re going to be spending time in God’s Word, whether it’s reading at home, or coming to Bible Study at church.

When I talk of special “understanding”, I’m not talking about God giving you some sort of secret code or hidden meanings.

God wants us to learn to apply God’s Word into our lives, to learn to obey the things we’re reading about.

That’s how we are “blessed”, finding real happiness comes from living it, obeying it.

119:25-32 The Word (ד Daleth)

:25 My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.

Revive – chayah – (Piel) to preserve alive, let live; to give life; to quicken, revive, refresh; to restore to life

(Psa 119:25 NLT) I lie in the dust, completely discouraged; revive me by your word.

:26 I have declared my ways, and You answered me; Teach me Your statutes.

:27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.

:28 My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word.

:29 Remove from me the way of lying, And grant me Your law graciously.

:30 I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me.

:31 I cling to Your testimonies; O Lord, do not put me to shame!

:32 I will run the course of Your commandments, For You shall enlarge my heart.

:32 You shall enlarge my heart

enlarge – rachab – to be or grow wide, be or grow large

(Genesis 26:17–22 NKJV) —17 Then Isaac departed from there and pitched his tent in the Valley of Gerar, and dwelt there. 18 And Isaac dug again the wells of water which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham. He called them by the names which his father had called them. 19 Also Isaac’s servants dug in the valley, and found a well of running water there. 20 But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek, because they quarreled with him. 21 Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that one also. So he called its name Sitnah. 22 And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, because he said, “For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.”

The name “Rehoboth” means “broad place”, based on the word translate “enlarge” (rachab) in Ps. 119:32.

Isaac saw that God had brought them to a “broad place” where there was no more strife.

Lesson

Broad Places

I wonder if God doesn’t want to bring us to a place in our hearts where we aren’t striving any more with Him, but where our hearts have been opened to what He wants to do in our lives.

:28 Strengthen me according to Your word

melts – dalaph – to drop, drip

heaviness – tuwgah – grief, heaviness, sorrow

The Psalmist felt like his soul was melting from heaviness or sorrow, so he asks God to use the Word to strengthen him.

Lesson

Strength in difficulty

King Jehoshaphat had a problem, and the answer came from a Word from God.

(2 Chronicles 20:1–24 NLT) —1 After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat. 2 Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar.” (This was another name for En-gedi.) 3 Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting. 4 So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the Lord’s help. 5 Jehoshaphat stood before the community of Judah and Jerusalem in front of the new courtyard at the Temple of the Lord. 6 He prayed, “O Lord, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you! 7 O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people Israel arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham? 8 Your people settled here and built this Temple to honor your name. 9 They said, ‘Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, plague, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.’ 10 “And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and did not destroy them. 11 Now see how they reward us! For they have come to throw us out of your land, which you gave us as an inheritance. 12 O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”

“We do not know what to do” – that sounds a little like a heart “melting from heaviness” (Ps. 119:28)

13 As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children, 14 the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph.

Jahaziel is going to prophecy. He is going to speak for God. He has a message from God. He has a word from God. We’re going to hear God’s Word and see it’s affect.

15 He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”

This was Jahaziel’s message from God:

This was going to be God’s battle, not the people’s battle.

All they needed to do was to stand and watch.

This is not always going to be the same word that God gives in every situation. Sometimes God’s word is, “get out there and fight!”. Sometimes it’s, “go talk to that person”.

18 Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the Lord. 19 Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout. 20 Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”

Jehoshaphat encouraged the people to trust in what God had spoken.

21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!”

Do you remember last week’s study in Ps. 118? This is Israel’s “theme song”.

22 At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. 23 The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. 24 So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.

God had done an amazing thing, but it wouldn’t have happened if the people hadn’t paid attention to God’s Word.

Standing back and praising God in a terrible situation is not normal. They only did it because they were willing to trust God’s Word. And because they were willing to stay out of the way and let God work, God did an amazing thing.

119:33-40 The Word (ה He)

:33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end.

:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

:35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it.

:36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness.

:37 Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way.

:37 Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things

What kinds of things do you allow your eyes to look at?

worthless – shav’ – emptiness, vanity, falsehood

revive – chayah – (Piel) to preserve alive, let live; to give life; to quicken, revive, refresh; to restore to life; to cause to grow; to restore; to revive

:38 Establish Your word to Your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You.

Another translation carries the idea that it’s God’s Word that produces a fear of God in us.

(Psalm 119:38 NASB95) Establish Your word to Your servant, As that which produces reverence for You.

:39 Turn away my reproach which I dread, For Your judgments are good.

:40 Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me in Your righteousness.

:36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies

Incline – natah – (Hiphil) to stretch out; to spread out; to turn, incline, influence

covetousness – betsa‘– profit, unjust gain, gain (profit) acquired by violence

Lesson

Ask for a willing heart

Sometimes our hearts are simply not where they should be. We aren’t willing to do what God wants us to do.

Illustration

The spirit is willing

There was a ghost who haunted an old house outside of town, and over the years many rumors had circulated about the whys and whatnots of this particular spook. Finally a photographer decided he would go and take pictures of the house and the ghost that lived there. Upon arriving the ghost actually greeted him at the door, and upon welcoming him ink, he told the man that he would be more than pleased to pose for some pictures. The photographer, extremely grateful for the opportunity, readied his camera and began taking many pictures, however his flash did not seem to be operating well. He finished the session and upon thanking the ghost returned home to develop the pictures. Upon doing so he found the pictures were all grossly under or over exposed and he fell to his hands and knees weeping saying, “The spirit was willing, but the flash was weak.”

Actually, sometimes even our spirit isn’t willing.

When Jesus asked the disciples to pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane because of what He was about to face, they kept falling asleep on Him.

Jesus said,

(Matthew 26:41 NKJV) Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

When you sincerely ask God to change your heart, I believe He will honor that prayer.

Illustration

“Make me willing”

Years ago I remember being impressed by the attitude of one of the kids in my youth group. The kids were telling me about their homework load in school, and one kid shared that he prayed that God would give him a desire to do his homework. By looking at that kid’s grades (he was a top student), I believe God honored that prayer.

If you’re faced with something you know you need to do, but you struggle with your heart, ask God to change your heart.

119:41-48 The Word (ו Waw)

:41 Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord— Your salvation according to Your word.

:42 So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word.

:43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I have hoped in Your ordinances.

:44 So shall I keep Your law continually, Forever and ever.

:45 And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts.

:46 I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, And will not be ashamed.

:46 I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings

Lesson

Bold Witness

Jesus talked about speaking before kings as something that would happen in the last days:

(Luke 21:12–15 NKJV) —12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.

Jesus also said that we would be able to be bold witnesses if we allow the Holy Spirit to empower us:

(Acts 1:8 NKJV) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

The boldness comes as we yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit.

The witness is about the Word of God.

:47 And I will delight myself in Your commandments, Which I love.

:48 My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes.

:45 I will walk at liberty

Lesson

Freedom

Video: Braveheart - Freedom

William Wallace was a Scottish knight who was one of the main leaders in the Wars of Scottish Independence. He died in the fight for freedom.

(John 8:31–36 NKJV) —31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

This is a very famous verse, it’s even on a wall at the CIA.

But what is Jesus talking about? The C.I.A.?

Free from what?

33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

Truth sets us free from sin.

The truth of God’s Word sheds light on what sin is.

It shines a light on our lives, showing us when we’ve strayed.

It shows us the path away from sin.

119:49-56 The Word (ז Zayin)

:49 Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope.

:50 This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.

:51 The proud have me in great derision, Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.

:52 I remembered Your judgments of old, O Lord, And have comforted myself.

:53 Indignation has taken hold of me Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law.

:54 Your statutes have been my songs In the house of my pilgrimage.

:54 Your statutes have been my songs

I think the Psalmist is talking here about singing the Scriptures throughout the pilgrimage of his life.

:55 I remember Your name in the night, O Lord, And I keep Your law.

:56 This has become mine, Because I kept Your precepts.

:50 This is my comfort in my affliction

Lesson

Comfort in the Word

One of the components of prophesying, speaking forth God’s Word, is comfort.

(1 Corinthians 14:3 NKJV) But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

God wants to comfort us:

(2 Corinthians 1:3–5 NKJV) —3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

One of the things that God will use to give us comfort is His Word. We’ll talk about this at the end.

119:57-64 The Word (ח Heth)

:57 You are my portion, O Lord; I have said that I would keep Your words.

:58 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; Be merciful to me according to Your word.

:59 I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to Your testimonies.

(Psa 119:59 ICB) I thought about my life, and I decided to obey your rules.

:60 I made haste, and did not delay To keep Your commandments.

:61 The cords of the wicked have bound me, But I have not forgotten Your law.

:62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, Because of Your righteous judgments.

:63 I am a companion of all who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts.

:64 The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy; Teach me Your statutes.

:62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks

Lesson

Songs in the night

The Psalmist says He can get up at midnight and give thanks to God “Because of Your righteous judgments”

judgments – mishpat – judgment, justice, ordinance

This is a word that the Psalmist has been using for God’s Word.

It’s also a word that speaks of God’s decisions, what God chooses to do.

Peter and John had been arrested for healing a lame man in the Temple and then preaching about Jesus. After being released, they went back to the church.

(Acts 4:23–31 NKJV) —23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’ 27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.

The church saw that the persecution they were going through had been spoken of in God’s Word, in Psalm 2. They didn’t have to be surprised by it, but instead saw it as part of God’s plan. Then they prayed…

29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Paul and Silas had that same kind of trust in God when they went through a rough patch. They had been arrested and beaten for casting a demon out of a slave girl. Look how they responded:

(Acts 16:25 NLT) Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.

How could Paul and Silas do such a crazy thing like praising God after having been arrested and beaten?

Perhaps it was because they trusted God’s “judgment”.

Perhaps it’s because they knew that God knew what He was doing.

When we trust God’s Word, we learn to trust His judgment.

We too can even praise God at midnight in a prison cell.

Discussion

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

Discussion:

Let’s talk about the Scriptures that can help us in our struggle with sin.

What are good Scriptures that deal with sexual temptations?

(2 Timothy 2:22 NKJV) —22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

(1 Corinthians 6:18–20 NKJV) —18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

What are Scriptures that deal with temptations with money?

(1 Timothy 6:9–10 NKJV) —9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

(Philippians 4:13 NKJV) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

(Hebrews 13:5 NKJV) Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

What are Scriptures that deal with anger?

(James 1:19–20 NKJV) —19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

(Matthew 5:22 NKJV) —22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.

General verses that help with temptation?

(1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV) —13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

:50 This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.

Discussion:

What are some of your favorite Scriptures that give you comfort?

(Isaiah 57:15 NKJV) For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

(Romans 8:31 NKJV) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

(Isaiah 40:11 NKJV) He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.

(Psalm 56:3 NKJV) Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

(Isaiah 12:2 NKJV) Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ ”

(Psalm 34:4 NKJV) I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.

(2 Corinthians 4:16–18 NKJV) —16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.