Today we're going to be digging deep into Psalm 119.....are you ready for the challenge? Let's begin with one more thought about yesterday's topic of double-mindedness. We looked yesterday at several Scripture references that give us insight into what it means to be double-minded. Perhaps this reference came to mind as well.....Revelation 3:14-22. Read that passage carefully and consider what Jesus has to say to the church at Laodicea. How does this relate to being double-minded?
Think back over the entire samekh stanza. We have spent some time in our study of Psalm 119 looking at those who don't follow God. Looking at this stanza specifically, what do you learn about the benefit that both the psalmist and those who don't follow God had access to. How do you know they both had access? What have they done that shows us this? If you're stuck, here's a hint: look carefully at verse 118.
Let's examine verse 114 a little more closely. This verse contains a phrase that is rich in comfort for us...."my hiding place and my shield." See what you can learn about this phrase from cross-references in Scripture (use your concordance) as well as from other study tools you have access to. Remember, we are digging deep today! Take your time, and please don't let this assignment scare you away! You can do it!!! Once you've completed your research, review your findings. How can you apply what you have learned to your life? Be specific.
The final verse of this stanza (verse 120) focuses on fear. What does "fear" mean in this context? Is this an appropriate response to a God who judges sin? Remember that the loving God of Calvary who has reconciled us to Himself through the sacrifice of His Son is also a holy God. Consider those in the Bible who had direct encounters with God. Think about how they responded. Does this fit with the psalmist's assessment. If you're not sure where to look, start with Saul on the Damascus Road (see Acts 9). How did Saul respond when he had a direct encounter with the Lord? Can you think of other examples?
Today has been a "heavy duty" assignment, hasn't it! Take your time......don't rush through. And be sure to take time to evaluate how what you learn applies to you personally.
And here's one more thing.....a sort of "bonus" assignment if you have time for it. Take a look at the word "wait". What Hebrew word is used? Check out other ways the word "wait" is translated. Consider what waiting on God meant to the psalmist. How can we apply that to our lives?
My posts for the next couple of weeks will be rather sporadic. We will be traveling, so my time at the computer will be limited. My plan is to post when I have opportunity, although the topics may deviate a bit from Psalm 119. Keep checking in to see if there's a new assignment. This brief interlude may give you time to "catch up", and will also give you plenty of time to complete today's assignments. Remember that there are free on-line resources available to aid you in your study (http://www.blueletterbible.org/ and http://www.biblegateway.com/ are examples).
And one more thing.....I think the "comments" problem is fixed, so feel free to leave a comment or share an insight in the comments section here or on Facebook. I would love to hear from you!
"Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire."
(Hebrews 12:28-29)
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Making a Choice
Today is one of those days when it is obvious I am not planning to leave the house and am not expecting any guests! It's a cold morning up here on the mountain (low 30s and it's almost May!! Yikes!!). This morning I am wearing a hot pink sweater with some purple sweat pants, accompanied by some black socks with orange leaves on them. If that sounds in any way to you like it goes together......trust me, it doesn't! But I'm warm!! What does that have to do with Psalm 119? I hear you asking that question!!!! Think about it this way.......I'm sure you will agree with me that what I have described to you sounds at the very least like a rather disjointed "ensemble". As we think about life in our world in the 21st century, wouldn't you agree that it, too, is rather disjointed?!! Think about the economy, politics, earthquakes and other disasters, the circumstances of your personal life. Does thinking about that give you a headache? Is it not just a bit out of kilter? Don't we long for some stability and security in our world? That brings us right back to Psalm 119!
Let's turn our attention to the samekh stanza, Psalm 119:113-120. Read those verses slowly and deliberately, asking questions of the text as you read. By now you are familiar with the synonyms used by the psalmist to refer to God's Word. As you come across all those words for the Word, what do you learn from these verses about the Word of God? One of the things that jumped out at me as I read is verse 116...."Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live; and do not let me be ashamed of my hope." It's the word "hope" that really grabbed me as I read. Isn't that what we all want, especially when we find ourselves in the middle of some difficult circumstances?
Look again at the way the psalmist begins the stanza. He has some pretty strong words about those who are "double-minded." What does it mean to be double-minded? Are people double-minded today? (If you have any doubt about that one, just listen to a political speech or watch a news broadcast!!!) Can you think of other places in Scripture that give us any insight into the double-minded? Check out these references and see what you can learn. As you read, consider what causes double-mindedness and think about whether there are any similar situations in your own life. What lessons do we need to personally apply? How can knowing and applying these lessons give us security and stability in our lives?
"For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4)
Let's turn our attention to the samekh stanza, Psalm 119:113-120. Read those verses slowly and deliberately, asking questions of the text as you read. By now you are familiar with the synonyms used by the psalmist to refer to God's Word. As you come across all those words for the Word, what do you learn from these verses about the Word of God? One of the things that jumped out at me as I read is verse 116...."Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live; and do not let me be ashamed of my hope." It's the word "hope" that really grabbed me as I read. Isn't that what we all want, especially when we find ourselves in the middle of some difficult circumstances?
Look again at the way the psalmist begins the stanza. He has some pretty strong words about those who are "double-minded." What does it mean to be double-minded? Are people double-minded today? (If you have any doubt about that one, just listen to a political speech or watch a news broadcast!!!) Can you think of other places in Scripture that give us any insight into the double-minded? Check out these references and see what you can learn. As you read, consider what causes double-mindedness and think about whether there are any similar situations in your own life. What lessons do we need to personally apply? How can knowing and applying these lessons give us security and stability in our lives?
- James 1:2-8
- Joshua 24
- Matthew 6:16-34
- 1 Kings 18:21 (read the entire chapter to get the full story)
"For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4)
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
What Makes Him Different?
As we continue our journey through Psalm 119, we arrive today at the samekh stanza. We will see this stanza as the "stanza of stability"......and don't we all long for stability, especially in these uncertain times? Let's jump right in this morning and see what we can learn. As we begin, let's read Psalm 119:113-144, the samekh, ayin, pe and tsadhe stanzas. This will put us into the overall context of this section of the Psalm. As you read, note the contrast between those who follow God and those who don't.
Once you have completed this assignment, go back and read the verses again. This time look for what you learn about the psalmist's adversaries. Making a list will be a helpful tool for remembering what you learn. And there's something about making the list, actually writing things down, that will help you be more alert as you read. Once you have finished your list, review your findings. How would you say the psalmist is different from his adversaries? Are there specific attitudes or actions in his life that keep him from following the attitudes/actions of his adversaries? What is the application here for your own life?
That's all for today. Think carefully over what you have discovered, and we'll dig into the samekh stanza specifically tomorrow.
Once you have completed this assignment, go back and read the verses again. This time look for what you learn about the psalmist's adversaries. Making a list will be a helpful tool for remembering what you learn. And there's something about making the list, actually writing things down, that will help you be more alert as you read. Once you have finished your list, review your findings. How would you say the psalmist is different from his adversaries? Are there specific attitudes or actions in his life that keep him from following the attitudes/actions of his adversaries? What is the application here for your own life?
That's all for today. Think carefully over what you have discovered, and we'll dig into the samekh stanza specifically tomorrow.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Welcome to Monday
Is it Monday again already! I remember being told by my mother when I was a child that time would pass much more quickly as I got older. Of course, I didn't believe her! But, it turns out that she was right.....as she was about so many things!
We closed out last week thinking about that very familiar verse....."Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." You may be like me and seeking some answers, some direction concerning some issues that are nagging at you. If so, like me, you need to hold on to that truth.....that the Word is a lamp, not a headlight or a floodlight. The lesson here is to walk step by step in the light that we have, and more light will be available for the next step. This is a faith issue, a trust issue, an obedience issue. I've often heard Dr. Charles Stanley teach this principle - obey God and leave all the consequences to Him. I think that applies here as well. If we walk obediently in the light that we have, God will take care of the consequences AND He will provide light for the next step.
Are there other lessons that we can learn from this portion of Psalm 119? Begin by reading Psalm 119:105-112 again. Here are some questions for you to consider as you focus your attention on these verses today.
We closed out last week thinking about that very familiar verse....."Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." You may be like me and seeking some answers, some direction concerning some issues that are nagging at you. If so, like me, you need to hold on to that truth.....that the Word is a lamp, not a headlight or a floodlight. The lesson here is to walk step by step in the light that we have, and more light will be available for the next step. This is a faith issue, a trust issue, an obedience issue. I've often heard Dr. Charles Stanley teach this principle - obey God and leave all the consequences to Him. I think that applies here as well. If we walk obediently in the light that we have, God will take care of the consequences AND He will provide light for the next step.
Are there other lessons that we can learn from this portion of Psalm 119? Begin by reading Psalm 119:105-112 again. Here are some questions for you to consider as you focus your attention on these verses today.
- What is the psalmist's attitude in this stanza? What commitments does he make?
- Are you committed to remember God's Word and faithfulness to you? Are there any areas of your commitment that need attention today?
- In the nun stanza the psalmist pairs affliction and joy. How well do you pair joy with affliction? In your times of affliction, is your joy evident? How does the psalmist maintain his joy? (Look for specific behaviors.)
- Do you have joy in your life? What does it typically depend on?
- If you have time, you might want to take a little extra time to do some word study on the word "joy". Start by finding out which Hebrew word is used in Psalm 119:111. You might also want to look at other words which are translated "joy" in both the Old and New Testaments. Look up the verses where the words are used and see what you can learn. I think you will be blessed! (If you don't have a library of word study books, remember that you can use on-line resources such as http://www.blueletterbible.org/ or http://www.biblegateway.com/, for example.)
- The psalmist says "I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, even to the end." This statement reflects a purposefulness, a deliberate commitment. The New Bible Commentary says"the idea of deliberate commitment is strong in this section. The verbs express determination......We must not expect to drift by accident into devotion to the word." What about you? Do you have a settled, determined purpose, a deliberate commitment to be devoted to the word? Think about that today. I'm not talking about a legalistic attitude that requires you to read a pre-determined number of verses every day so that you feel guilty if you don't check that off your to-do list. Rather, I'm talking about a deep-seated commitment of the heart to be consistently in the Word of God and a deliberate commitment to be obedient to what God says to you through His Word, no matter what it is!
- Finally, think back over the benefits we have discovered in this Psalm that the Word of God provides. How would your life be different if you lived in light of those benefits? If you feel you are falling a little short in this area, prayerfully review your findings and then ask God to help you reap that benefit! You will be blessed!
Friday, April 23, 2010
A Familiar Passage....Continued
Yesterday we began looking at one of the most familiar verses in Psalm 119......"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Do you have a good visual of the imagery used here? A few years ago the headlights on my car were replaced. Having new halogen bulbs opened up a whole new world for me, especially when they were on the high beam. I was amazed at how far I could see, and in how much detail! What does that have to do with Psalm 119? Quite a lot, actually! If we are honest, I think we would admit that what we want from God and His Word is that kind of bright light on the pathway that we call life. We want to know exactly what's ahead of us, perhaps in great detail. But is that what the psalmist is saying we can expect from God and His Word? No.
The imagery the psalmist gives us is more comparable to a very dim flashlight or a kerosene lantern as we walk down a dark path at night. With that kind of a light source we would probably only see one, or perhaps two, steps beyond our current position. We would not see everything ahead of us.....the curves in the path, the potholes, any creepy-crawlies or critters that might be ahead. We would have to make our journey based on the limited information available to us.....step by step. I think that is an important lesson for us to grasp. It's called living by faith! God sees the beginning and the end and everything in between. That's His job! It isn't our job! Our job is to walk step by step, taking one step at a time with the light available to us.
How do we discover what's ahead? How do we know God's will? By walking in the light that we have!
"O God, You are my God, and I will ever praise You.
O God, You are my God, and I will ever praise You.
I will seek You in the morning, and I will learn to walk in Your ways,
And step by step You'll lead me, and I will follow You all of my days."
-Strasser/Smith
The imagery the psalmist gives us is more comparable to a very dim flashlight or a kerosene lantern as we walk down a dark path at night. With that kind of a light source we would probably only see one, or perhaps two, steps beyond our current position. We would not see everything ahead of us.....the curves in the path, the potholes, any creepy-crawlies or critters that might be ahead. We would have to make our journey based on the limited information available to us.....step by step. I think that is an important lesson for us to grasp. It's called living by faith! God sees the beginning and the end and everything in between. That's His job! It isn't our job! Our job is to walk step by step, taking one step at a time with the light available to us.
How do we discover what's ahead? How do we know God's will? By walking in the light that we have!
"O God, You are my God, and I will ever praise You.
O God, You are my God, and I will ever praise You.
I will seek You in the morning, and I will learn to walk in Your ways,
And step by step You'll lead me, and I will follow You all of my days."
-Strasser/Smith
Thursday, April 22, 2010
A Familiar Passage
As we move ahead in Psalm 119, we come to what is probably one of the most well-known verses in the entire Psalm, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." But before we examine that in detail, let's look at the nun stanza in its entirety. You know what I'm going to ask you to do, don't you? So let's get to it! And if there are any of you reading this who haven't been along for this entire journey......if this is your first time to visit this blog and you wonder what I'm talking about......this is how we always begin......
Read through the entire nun stanza (Psalm 119:105-112). Look for answers to the who/what/when/where/why/how questions (and be aware that all the questions may not be answered!). Look specifically for synonyms the psalmist uses for God's Word and make note of what you learn about the Word in these verses.
Now look again at that very familiar verse and let's focus our attention there today. What word picture does the psalmist use for the Word of God? Note that nowhere in the passage does he refer to the Word as a "high-beam headlight"! The Word is a lamp! What's the difference?
Think about that today. And think about this as well. In decisions you have to make in your life from day to day, do you trust God when all you can see is the next step on the path? Even when you have limited light on your path, do you still trust? Do you step out in faith or do you hold back waiting for the whole road to be flooded with light?
What do you think the psalmist (or God through the pen of the psalmist) is trying to teach us here? Meditate on that today and we'll continue in this stanza tomorrow. There's so much here for us to learn!
"If only the next step is clear, the the one thing to do is to take it! Don't pledge your Lord or yourself to any steps beyond what you know......We don't walk spiritually by electric light, but by hand-held lantern. And a lantern shows only the next step - not several steps ahead."
- Amy Carmichael
Read through the entire nun stanza (Psalm 119:105-112). Look for answers to the who/what/when/where/why/how questions (and be aware that all the questions may not be answered!). Look specifically for synonyms the psalmist uses for God's Word and make note of what you learn about the Word in these verses.
Now look again at that very familiar verse and let's focus our attention there today. What word picture does the psalmist use for the Word of God? Note that nowhere in the passage does he refer to the Word as a "high-beam headlight"! The Word is a lamp! What's the difference?
Think about that today. And think about this as well. In decisions you have to make in your life from day to day, do you trust God when all you can see is the next step on the path? Even when you have limited light on your path, do you still trust? Do you step out in faith or do you hold back waiting for the whole road to be flooded with light?
What do you think the psalmist (or God through the pen of the psalmist) is trying to teach us here? Meditate on that today and we'll continue in this stanza tomorrow. There's so much here for us to learn!
"If only the next step is clear, the the one thing to do is to take it! Don't pledge your Lord or yourself to any steps beyond what you know......We don't walk spiritually by electric light, but by hand-held lantern. And a lantern shows only the next step - not several steps ahead."
- Amy Carmichael
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Meditation
We finished our time together yesterday with some thoughts on meditation, so let's pick up where we left off. When the psalmist says he meditates on God's law all the day, what does he mean? Although meditation is something often viewed as something connected with some mystical eastern religion, I think we will discover as we examine the Scripture that it is much more than that. Meditation is a concept that appears throughout the Bible. Just looking at Psalm 119, we have already encountered this concept several times. Can you locate those references?
So, what exactly is "meditation"? If you have ever found yourself lying awake at night turning a problem over and over in your mind (can we all just go ahead and confess???), then you have experienced meditation in its negative connotation. But is that what the psalmist is referring to? I don't think so! Can you find any references that indicate the psalmist is meditating on his problems? When he mentions meditating, what does he say he is meditating on? What is his meditation? (Hint: read verse 97 again!).
The Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament gives us these definitions. The word meditate (verb) is the Hebrew word siyah which is defined as to ponder, to utter, to complain, to meditate, to pray. The word meditation (noun) is the Hebrew word siyhah meaning meditation, reflection, concern of one's thoughts, musing. This dictionary goes on to give this information: "The psalmist indicated the proper procedure for an individual's response to God's Law. Because of his love for God's Law, the psalmist was prompted to meditate on it all day long." Note again that he did not meditate "all day" on his problems, although he has already told us that he does have some significant issues he's dealing with. He meditates on God's Word!!!
Think about that for a minute, and compare the psalmist's behavior to your own. Are we all feeling maybe just a little nudge of conviction here? Let's take the thought one step further........who does the psalmist say is his teacher? And if that is true for the psalmist, is it not also true for us as well? (If you're stuck here, read the stanza again, slowly, and if you're still stuck, read verse 102.)
Here's one more question to ponder......did you notice a contrast between the way the stanza opened and the way it concluded. The psalmist began with "How I love Your law," and ended with "therefore I hate every false way." What about you? Are there any false ways you recognize in our culture? In your own life? How might we know what is a true and what is a false way?
Finally today, think about your own relationship to God's Word? Is the Word "sweeter than honey" (sweeter than chocolate??) to you? Is it sweeter than it used to be? Is it your delight? Is it your meditation all the day long? When troubles come, do you meditate on the troubles or meditate on God's Word? And consider this....do you "hate every false way" as the psalmist does? Not some false ways, but every false way. Do you hate the false way, or do you just accept it as "that's the way it is"? Spend some time thinking on these things today. Maybe you would like to spend some time pondering (meditating on!) these words from Joshua:
"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be carefull to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success." (Joshua 1:8)
So, what exactly is "meditation"? If you have ever found yourself lying awake at night turning a problem over and over in your mind (can we all just go ahead and confess???), then you have experienced meditation in its negative connotation. But is that what the psalmist is referring to? I don't think so! Can you find any references that indicate the psalmist is meditating on his problems? When he mentions meditating, what does he say he is meditating on? What is his meditation? (Hint: read verse 97 again!).
The Word Study Dictionary: Old Testament gives us these definitions. The word meditate (verb) is the Hebrew word siyah which is defined as to ponder, to utter, to complain, to meditate, to pray. The word meditation (noun) is the Hebrew word siyhah meaning meditation, reflection, concern of one's thoughts, musing. This dictionary goes on to give this information: "The psalmist indicated the proper procedure for an individual's response to God's Law. Because of his love for God's Law, the psalmist was prompted to meditate on it all day long." Note again that he did not meditate "all day" on his problems, although he has already told us that he does have some significant issues he's dealing with. He meditates on God's Word!!!
Think about that for a minute, and compare the psalmist's behavior to your own. Are we all feeling maybe just a little nudge of conviction here? Let's take the thought one step further........who does the psalmist say is his teacher? And if that is true for the psalmist, is it not also true for us as well? (If you're stuck here, read the stanza again, slowly, and if you're still stuck, read verse 102.)
Here's one more question to ponder......did you notice a contrast between the way the stanza opened and the way it concluded. The psalmist began with "How I love Your law," and ended with "therefore I hate every false way." What about you? Are there any false ways you recognize in our culture? In your own life? How might we know what is a true and what is a false way?
Finally today, think about your own relationship to God's Word? Is the Word "sweeter than honey" (sweeter than chocolate??) to you? Is it sweeter than it used to be? Is it your delight? Is it your meditation all the day long? When troubles come, do you meditate on the troubles or meditate on God's Word? And consider this....do you "hate every false way" as the psalmist does? Not some false ways, but every false way. Do you hate the false way, or do you just accept it as "that's the way it is"? Spend some time thinking on these things today. Maybe you would like to spend some time pondering (meditating on!) these words from Joshua:
"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be carefull to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success." (Joshua 1:8)
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