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We are in Psalm 119 verses 9 to 16 – verse 9 – is this not a question that many young men – and probably many young women in these days – would like to ask – with all that is going on around – drugs – drink – dirt – all kinds of impurity – acts and behaviour – words that may flow from mouths – how may we get out of this sinful rut?

Many know they need to do this – that this is necessary – but most do not know how God has spoken to us – and that Jesus Christ has shown us HOW TO – how to do one of the most important things in life.

I remember John Cowan cleaning himself up on a Friday evening – from the dirty sinful surroundings of the Coal Board workshop as it was then.

This is such a real question for the person who wants to be a committed disciple of Jesus Christ – so much can defile – and there are many who would want to spoil and ruin our lives.

Here is a recent translation/paraphrase of the second stanza – each verse beginning with B

By what means can a young man remain pure?
By living according to Your Word.
Beholding You is my deepest wish, bind me to Your commands.
Buried deep in my heart is your Word, that I might not sin against You.
Blessed be You O Lord; teach me Your decrees.
Bubbling from my mouth come all the laws which my lips recount.
Beautiful is the way of Your statutes – like basking in great riches.
Bearing in mind Your precepts, I meditate on Your ways.
Before me shines Your Word which I will not neglect.

The writer knew how impure his own heart was – even King David remembered how he had schemed to live impurely and immorally – and he found forgiveness.

The situation was serious then – the situation is serious today.

This is such a real question – here is a question for our classrooms – and boardrooms - and churches – and everywhere – but – How can it be done?

How can I live this way, O God? Is it possible? In 2022? YES!

The clear sure certain answer comes – by living according to YOUR WORD.

The answer to these questions comes from God and lies in the Word of God. There is no other way!

God says it is wrong to bully – God says it is wrong to steal – God says impurity is wrong – sinful. Jesus speaks to us about the narrow way – but it leads to life.

I have never met anyone who has found the narrow way accidentally – there was a seeking and a searching – and then a discovery.

A captain of a ship can watch all night – for dangers – but there is nothing like having on board a pilot who knows the coastline – who knows the safe channels – and where there are sandbanks and rocks.

Verse 10 – I seek you with all my heart – there is no other way. This seeker’s heart has gone after God. He turns directly to God – and speaks to Him. “Do not let me stray from Your commands.” Keep me from going astray – let me not wander. Walking in a specific direction is vital. I know it is not easy – I cannot do it on my own – help me O, God.

Verse 11 – I have hidden Your word in my heart – not that I might be regarded as such a moral person by others – nor regarded as super spiritual – but so that I might not sin against YOU.

God wants us to use what He has provided for our help. Treasure God’s Word.

When you set your heart upon serving God – upon being a disciple of Jesus – you do not want to let Him down by sinning. This man’s heart is set on serving God.

A man will carefully hide away his money if he thinks it might be stolen. We are to be even more careful in hiding God’s Word in the safest of places we have on earth – our hearts. Jesus said that the thief comes only to kill and steal and destroy – words we have used when speaking about drink and drugs – and words we have used in the prison – but also seeking to explain that Jesus comes to give life which is so rich and generous and abundant.

Sin robs a man – steals from a man – and can kill a man.

Verse 12 – This makes the Psalmist want to praise. He knows there is a source of clear clean pure refreshing water for his life – and so do we – and he wants to praise God who is the source of that refreshing purity. We all need plenty of clean clear pure refreshing water – physically and spiritually.

Teach me – what a prayer – teach me – Lord, teach me – Lord, feed me with wholesome nourishing bread.

Teach me its meaning and significance. Teach me what this book means.

When God teaches you and shares with you truths and treasures from His Word – you have the finest education any man could wish – and – to have God as your Teacher!

Verse 13 – With my lips – what comes from our mouths is important – we are to be a people who are gradually becoming more and more familiar with GOD’S WORD.

The one who has been taught now teaches – not necessarily from behind a pulpit or table or desk – but in everyday situations – where you may not even realise you are teaching – sharing GOD’S WAYS and GOD’S TRUTHS.

What comes from our mouths reflects what is in our hearts. Jesus speaks about those things which come from our mouths – because they are the overflow of the heart – what is within – what is inside us.

We hear that there are certain ‘worship services’ today where there is such little teaching from the Word of God. Each of us needs teaching.

Verse 14 – what an amazing writer who is able to say this! Not many people – even those who may know something about Jesus could honestly and sincerely echo these sentiments. But, when the Word of God is in our hearts – and upon our mind – this can result – this can be the outcome.

A man will talk of that which is his delight – when something really pleases you – and thrills you – and excites you – you enjoy it in some way – and you want to talk about it – joyfully.

Verse 15 – now we come to meditation upon the Word of God – we consider what God has said – we give it serious thought – letting it sink deeply into our hearts and minds and beings that it begins to colour and influence our lives more and more – day by day – week by week. If you delight in something you will think about it.

We may not always be aware of the ways in which we are changing – and being changed – but others will notice – others will be aware.

Very seldom at the end of a week or even a month do we notice a child growing and developing – but then someone arrives who has not seen the youngster for six months or so – and they notice the difference. It can be similar with us as we meditate – consider – and feed upon God’s Word.

It works the other way too – if you stop doing it – people will soon notice – and do they not notice a little quicker in that latter direction than when we are feeding and growing and maturing?

It has been said – miss a week or two and you notice the difference – miss a month and your family notices the difference – miss six months and the world out there will see the change. He is not what he used to be. She has changed and not for the better.

These verses refer a lot to what is going on inside us. Yes, we need facts – and yes, we need information – but we also need to think and meditate and reflect and consider – and that is what the Psalmist is teaching us here.

Verse 16 – What a wonderful verse to conclude this section – I delight – I will not neglect your word. Jesus – I am not going to neglect your word – I am not to neglect the Scriptures – I am going to read Your Word – and consider it – and aim to do what it says. I want to be a Word person – the whole of it – all of it – every part of it.

This Psalm not only deals with feelings and emotions – it is more than that – it deals with various areas of our lives and calls for a decision.

I WILL – O, Lord – this is what I have made up my mind to do!

“Lord God Almighty – I bow before You – I do not want to neglect Your Holy Word – I need every part of it – I want to be a ‘Word person’ so that I know what You have said – and knowing that is the best and finest way to live. Help me this day – and every day – Lord Jesus Christ. Amen”

"God's Words For US" from Cecelia Lester

Renew a Right Spirit