Discipleship Essentials*
Sunday, November 7, 2004
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving us Your written word that we may know the truth! Thank You for all the faithful followers of Your Son, Jesus, who have passed that word along regardless of the personal cost to them. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit today that I may glorify You in my words, and that I may live out Your truth in my life. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today
Psalm 119:1-16
1 Happy are people of integrity, who follow the law of the LORD.
2 Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their hearts.
3 They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.
4 You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.
5 Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your principles!
6 Then I will not be disgraced when I compare my life with your commands.
7 When I learn your righteous laws, I will thank you by living as I should!
8 I will obey your principles. Please don’t give up on me!
9 How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word and following its rules.
10 I have tried my best to find you—don’t let me wander from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your principles.
13 I have recited aloud all the laws you have given us.
14 I have rejoiced in your decrees as much as in riches.
15 I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.
16 I will delight in your principles and not forget your word.
Background on the Text – Who Wrote It? Why Was It Written? Who Was the Audience?
We don’t know who wrote Psalm 119. Since the psalms are a collection of “prayers” written by many different authors including King David, Moses, Asaph (a musician) and others, each Psalm has its own individual purpose and perspective. Psalm 119 is the longest psalm (and at 176 verses is the longest chapter in the entire Bible), and is written in the form of an “acrostic” poem, with the first letter of each stanza beginning with a succeeding letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Some English translations of Psalm 119 have the Hebrew letters as subheadings of the psalm. It is obvious from the extensive focus of the Psalm on God’s law that the author was devoted to God AND to following His word.
Observation – What Does the Text Say?
(Specifically look at the bold verses, if any, to answer these questions.)
Interpretation – What Does the Text Mean?
Application – How Can I Respond to the Text’s Insights and Teachings?
Each Week’s Check List
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
Growth Point |
How |
Encouraged and strengthened me by |
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Fallen short areas |
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What will I do with these insights? |
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What did God say to me today? |
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Share insights and growth points |
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Changed/transformed how? |
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Thoughts..."True Happiness"...
Psalm 119 starts with a promise of blessing or happiness for all who live in integrity, which for the psalmist means obeying the commands of God’s Law. This theme recurs throughout the Bible, since it is a fundamental truth: fulfillment in life comes from knowing and living God’s will in our lives. From Noah and Abraham, who obeyed God and had it reckoned to them as righteousness, to the martyrs in the Book of Revelation who had remained faithful to God despite persecution to the point of death, and throughout the pages of God’s word, blessing, happiness and joy belong to those who live in integrity and obedience. One of the chief challenges to the Church of Jesus Christ in America today is that so many Christians do not live in integrity and do not live God’s commands obediently. While many reasons (excuses?) could be offered for this, not the least of them is that the diligent study of God’s word is rare, and the acceptance of it as absolute truth has waned over the past several decades in particular. As followers of Jesus, we are called to DO the commands He gives us, to live in faith and obedience to Him. Psalm 119 calls us to a life-long process of learning and living God’s word that brings glory to God and happiness and blessing to us. The Holy Spirit lives in us to empower us to live lives of obedience, but we must also give over control of our lives to Him, and we must desire to live in obedience as well!