¤(Music)¤
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>>John Bradshaw: This is It
Is Written. I'm John Bradshaw.
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Thanks for joining me.
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We're continuing
our ongoing series,
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“Great Chapters of the Bible,”
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and we're looking at a
chapter that qualifies as great
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by any number of measures.
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It's the longest
chapter in the Bible,
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176 verses, almost 2,500 words,
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much longer than that next
longest chapter in the Bible
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which is First Kings 8.
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None of the verses are longer
than about 21 words though.
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But Psalm 119 is a
fascinating homage to God
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and it speaks from beginning to
end of the life-changing power
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of the Word of God.
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Now, there are a couple
of things that are really
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fascinating about this psalm.
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Of the 176 verses, only one
does not contain some explicit
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reference to the word of God,
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or God's revelation
to the human family.
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Now, you could argue
that there are another couple,
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but they reference
God's faithfulness and mercy.
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So, verse 122
seems to stand alone.
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Here it is.
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“Be surety for
your servant for good;
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do not let the
proud oppress me.”
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Every other one of
the remaining 175 verses
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references God's word,
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whether it's a
reference to Scripture
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or to God's
testimonies or His law
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or statutes or
precepts or judgments.
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And this chapter is
written in an interesting way.
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Psalm 119 is
written in 22 paragraphs
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or stanzas of eight verses each.
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Every one of those
verses in each section
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starts with the
same Hebrew letter.
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The psalm was written so
that the first eight verses
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all start with the
Hebrew letter, “aleph,”
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the first letter of
the Hebrew alphabet.
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Next set of eight verses
start with the second letter
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of the Hebrew alphabet, “beth.”
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Third group of
eight starts with “gimel,”
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then “daleth,” “he,” “waw,”
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and so on all the way
through the 22 letters
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of the Hebrew alphabet.
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That's how we end
up with 176 verses.
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And these verses all
follow a certain theme,
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a theme the writer establishes
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at the very
beginning of the psalm.
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Now this is verse one.
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“Blessed are the
undefiled in the way,
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who walk in the
law of the Lord!”
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Now that verse sets the
tone for the entire psalm.
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Those who are
obedient to God are blessed.
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That's really another
way of saying that those
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who are led by the
Spirit of God are blessed.
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Incidentally, that word
blessed is the same word
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which begins the
Book of Psalms entirely,
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when it says in
Psalm 1, verse 1,
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“Blessed is the man who
walks not in the counsel
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of the ungodly, nor
stands in the path of sinners,
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nor sits in the
seat of the scornful,”
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which is much the
same thought really.
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It's a theme that carries right
through the Book of Psalms.
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Faithfulness to God and
the life-changing power,
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the transforming
power, of God's Word.
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So look at Psalm
119 and verse 1 again.
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“Blessed are the
undefiled in the way,
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who walk in the
law of the Lord.”
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Blessed or
bless-ed are the complete,
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those who are without blemish,
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the upright, those without spot.
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Now that's clearly
God's plan for His children,
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that they are
recovered from the power of sin.
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And what's written here really
reflects the words of Jesus.
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Jesus said,
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“If you love Me, keep my
commandments” in John 14:15.
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Revelation 22:14 says,
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“Blessed are those
who do His commandments,
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that they may have the
right to the tree of life,
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and may enter through
the gates into the city.”
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John wrote in
First John 5, verse 3,
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“For this is the love of God,
that we keep His commandments.
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And His
commandments are not grievous.”
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The writer of Psalm
119 understood something,
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not just from a
theological perspective,
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but from his own
bitter experience.
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Sin does damage.
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As Isaiah the prophet said,
it separates a person from God.
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He said that in
Isaiah 59, verse 2.
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Jesus came into the world to
save us from the penalty of sin.
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But not only from its
penalty, also from its power.
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And also from its presence.
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Here's where many people
are selling themselves short
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and selling God short.
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Christianity, faith in God,
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isn't just a matter of
acknowledging God as God,
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acknowledging Jesus as Savior,
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and then going
on with the old life
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as though God
hasn't impacted your life.
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Faith in God is about God taking
away your old sinful heart
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and placing
within you a new heart
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that beats in harmony
with the heart of God.
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God makes you new.
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And after He does
that, He wants to keep you,
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to sustain you, to live in you,
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so that your life is
lived for God's glory.
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When God saves you, He
puts you on a whole new path.
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Now the question is, of course,
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how in the world are
we to stay on that path?
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How can sinful
people live new lives?
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Psalm 119 answers
that question in verse one.
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We are to “walk in
the law of the Lord.”
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Look what the same
writer wrote in Psalm 19,
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starting in verse 7.
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Psalm 19 and verse 7.
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“The law of the Lord is
perfect, converting the soul;
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the testimony of
the Lord is sure,
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making wise the simple; the
statues of the Lord are right,
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rejoicing the heart; the
commandment of the Lord is pure,
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enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean,
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enduring forever;
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the judgments of the Lord are
true and righteous altogether.”
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It's been said that
Psalm 119 is an elaboration
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of that passage from Psalm 19.
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Psalm 19 was written by David,
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and although it
isn't otherwise made clear,
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thematically and linguistically,
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it seems that Psalm 119
was written by David as well.
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And then back in Psalm 19,
he says in verses 10 and 11,
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“More to be
desired are they than gold,
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yea, than much fine gold;
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sweeter also than
honey and the honeycomb.
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Moreover by them
Your servant is warned,
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and in keeping them
there is great reward.”
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Of course, if David wrote this,
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he knew that
there's not a person alive
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who can save themselves
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or somehow muster up the
strength to live godly lives.
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He's talking about a profound
reliance upon the word of God,
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and this side of the
cross we're able to say,
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and upon Jesus
the Word made flesh.
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There is power
in the Word of God.
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Paul called the Gospel,
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“the power of God to salvation
for everyone who believes”
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in Romans 1, verse 16.
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And this is
reiterated in Psalm 119.
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Look at verse 9.
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“How can a young
man cleanse his way?
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By taking heed
according to Your word.”
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Now, isn't that
a profound thought?
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And a helpful thought?
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If you're looking to
live a life of integrity,
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a life that honors God,
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if you're looking for God
to bring out the best in you,
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then this is for you.
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How can a person
cleanse his or her way?
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By listening to,
by taking note of,
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the word of God.
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And verse 11 pretty
much repeats the thought.
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“Your word I have
hidden in my heart,
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that I might not
sin against You.”
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So how are we to live
without falling into sin?
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Only one way, by
taking heed to God's Word,
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by letting God's Word
have its way in our lives.
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By making decisions
based on the Word of God.
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By consulting the Bible and
letting the Bible be your guide.
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It's too easy today to
ignore the Word of God.
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Too many distractions
today that make it easy
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to take your cue
from other places.
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In this world, you're
either going to acknowledge
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God's Word as your
guide, or, well, something else.
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And there's nothing else
that brings into your life
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the transforming power of God.
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Let me suggest something.
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If you're not taking
time with God's Word,
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start doing so right away.
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Take time every day.
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Every morning read a
passage of the Bible.
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Let God's Word speak to you.
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Let God's Word fill you, cleanse
your mind with God's principles.
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Have His Word on
the tip of your tongue.
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Take your Bible with you.
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Read it when you get a
few moments during the day.
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Memorize Bible verses that
you know will be helpful to you.
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Isaiah wrote that God
will keep in perfect peace
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the person whose
mind has stayed on God.
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Depending on the
research you read,
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it seems that
most Americans never
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or very rarely read the Bible.
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And that could explain a lot.
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How's it working out for you?
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If you'll take
time in the word of God,
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if you'll read
the Bible regularly,
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systematically, you'll
find the peace and the power
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and the presence of God in
your life in an amazing way.
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In a moment, in Psalm 119,
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does the Bible writer
exaggerate to make his point?
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¤(Music begins)¤
I'll be right back.
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¤(Music increases and ends)¤
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>>John Bradshaw: There
are hundreds, even thousands,
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of promises in
the Bible ¤(Music)¤
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all made by God to be a blessing
and an encouragement for you.
00:09:46.51\00:09:50.79
Receive today's free
offer, it's “Promises of Peace.”
00:09:50.82\00:09:54.86
Be blessed by
the promises of God.
00:09:54.89\00:09:57.53
To receive “Promises of Peace”
00:09:57.56\00:09:58.93
call us at 800-253-3000
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or visit us
online at iiwoffer.com
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and receive our free
offer, “Promises of Peace.”
00:10:06.94\00:10:12.27
¤(Music)¤
00:10:13.27\00:10:18.01
>>Man: What does the
Bible say about astrology?
00:10:18.05\00:10:20.45
>>Man: Why do bad
things happen to good people?
00:10:24.95\00:10:27.22
>>Child: What color is Jesus?
00:10:33.50\00:10:35.90
>>John Bradshaw: If
you have a question,
00:10:35.93\00:10:37.07
we'd love to find an
answer for you from the Bible.
00:10:37.10\00:10:39.87
Line Upon Line
from “It Is Written” TV.
00:10:39.90\00:10:42.87
>>John Bradshaw: Thanks for
joining me on It Is Written.
00:10:43.67\00:10:46.57
We're looking at Psalm
119 in our ongoing series,
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“Great Chapters of the Bible.”
00:10:50.55\00:10:52.65
It's the longest chapter
in Scripture at 176 verses,
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almost
two-and-a-half thousand words.
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It's been said that the great
missionary David Livingston
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memorized the entire psalm,
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a chapter that would take
you around 15 minutes to recite
00:11:03.86\00:11:06.83
or to read out loud.
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Again and again, Psalm
119 speaks about God's word,
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His commandments,
His statutes, His law.
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This is the Bible
writer recommending the Bible
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as the source of
strength for believers,
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as the means of receiving
not only powerful holy living,
00:11:22.04\00:11:26.15
but also hope in this
world and in the world to come.
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Notice what it says
starting in verse 14
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and think about the words used.
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“I have rejoiced in the
way of Your testimonies,
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as much as in all riches.
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I will meditate
on Your precepts,
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and contemplate Your ways.
00:11:44.63\00:11:46.74
I will delight
myself in Your statues;
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I will not forget Your word.”
00:11:49.87\00:11:52.41
I've rejoiced
in Your testimonies
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as much as in all riches?
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Now, David was a wealthy man.
00:11:58.15\00:11:59.78
Here he says that
God's Word meant more to him
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than all the wealth
he could accumulate.
00:12:02.28\00:12:05.05
So, let's ask an
honest question here.
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Is this just hyperbole?
00:12:07.06\00:12:09.12
Is David simply
exaggerating to make a point?
00:12:09.16\00:12:12.79
No, he's not.
00:12:12.83\00:12:14.10
For him, God's Word was the most
precious commodity he knew of.
00:12:14.13\00:12:19.07
For those who live in parts
of the world where the Bible
00:12:19.10\00:12:20.90
is freely available and you
can live your faith in freedom,
00:12:20.94\00:12:24.04
it might be less
easy or less common
00:12:24.07\00:12:27.41
to feel that
way about the Bible.
00:12:27.44\00:12:29.91
But David was
deadly serious about this.
00:12:29.94\00:12:33.21
And what did he do
with the Word of God?
00:12:33.25\00:12:35.95
Well, he meditated on it.
00:12:35.98\00:12:38.29
He contemplated it.
00:12:38.32\00:12:40.06
He thought about it.
00:12:40.09\00:12:41.36
He chewed it over in his mind.
00:12:41.39\00:12:43.69
He was
determined not to forget it.
00:12:43.73\00:12:47.13
You know, this modern world
00:12:47.13\00:12:48.06
where our minds seem
to be always occupied.
00:12:48.10\00:12:50.50
We're checking
social media or, or email.
00:12:50.53\00:12:53.57
People drive along
listening to the radio
00:12:53.60\00:12:55.94
or to music they
brought with them.
00:12:55.97\00:12:58.41
Life is full of flashing
lights and distractions.
00:12:58.44\00:13:01.71
It's not nearly as
easy as it used to be
00:13:01.74\00:13:03.51
to simply think
about God's Word.
00:13:03.55\00:13:06.05
Less people do it.
00:13:06.08\00:13:07.42
To let God's Word
wash over your mind
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and influence your daily life.
00:13:09.92\00:13:12.32
Modern life
conspires against faith.
00:13:12.35\00:13:15.92
I've been told by
people a thousand times,
00:13:15.96\00:13:18.19
“I'm just too busy.”
00:13:18.23\00:13:19.36
“I just don't have time.”
00:13:19.39\00:13:21.56
Who do you think
worked it out that way?
00:13:21.60\00:13:24.00
The devil does not
want you to read the Bible,
00:13:24.03\00:13:26.74
and he's figured
out a thousand ways
00:13:26.77\00:13:28.27
to keep you
from getting into it.
00:13:28.30\00:13:30.14
But David, he
meditated on God's Word.
00:13:30.17\00:13:33.91
Now don't get this confused with
Eastern religious practices.
00:13:33.94\00:13:37.08
Meditating on the
Bible has nothing to do
00:13:37.11\00:13:39.48
with emptying your
mind or repeating a mantra.
00:13:39.51\00:13:42.78
It's about
focusing on the Word of God.
00:13:42.82\00:13:45.25
Thinking about Scripture.
00:13:45.29\00:13:46.86
Letting it sink into your mind.
00:13:46.89\00:13:48.79
Ask yourself, when did you
last really focus on God's Word?
00:13:48.82\00:13:54.73
Thinking about what God
is actually saying to you
00:13:54.76\00:13:57.60
through the Bible?
00:13:57.63\00:13:58.83
Considering what a verse really
says and wondering with God
00:13:58.87\00:14:01.74
about how that verse or passage
should be applied to your life?
00:14:01.77\00:14:05.64
That's the
meditation being written about.
00:14:05.67\00:14:08.08
That is healthy
and it's helpful.
00:14:08.11\00:14:11.41
Now it says in verse
24, Psalm 119, verse 24.
00:14:11.45\00:14:15.72
“Your testimonies also are
my delight and my counselors.”
00:14:15.75\00:14:20.52
Now see how practical that is?
00:14:20.56\00:14:22.29
The word of God is to guide you.
00:14:22.32\00:14:23.66
It advises you.
00:14:23.69\00:14:25.53
You make your decisions for life
00:14:25.56\00:14:28.10
on the basis of
what God suggests.
00:14:28.13\00:14:31.27
God wants you and me
to be just like that.
00:14:31.30\00:14:33.30
When it's decision
time, it's Bible time.
00:14:33.34\00:14:35.90
What does God have to say about
this decision in your life?
00:14:35.94\00:14:38.91
You'll know if you take
the time to read and pray.
00:14:38.94\00:14:42.94
Now, look at this passage.
00:14:42.98\00:14:44.48
It is powerful.
00:14:44.51\00:14:45.95
We start in verse 34.
00:14:45.98\00:14:48.75
“Give me understanding,
and I shall keep Your law;
00:14:48.78\00:14:52.42
indeed, I shall
observe it with my whole heart.
00:14:52.45\00:14:55.26
Make me walk in the
path of Your commandments,
00:14:55.29\00:14:57.86
for I delight in it.
00:14:57.89\00:14:59.69
Incline my heart
to Your testimonies,
00:14:59.73\00:15:02.30
and not to covetousness.”
00:15:02.33\00:15:04.70
You see what the
writer is saying here?
00:15:04.73\00:15:06.53
I will keep your law,
that's my will, my purpose.
00:15:06.57\00:15:09.84
But, God, make me
walk in the right way,
00:15:09.87\00:15:13.44
bend my heart in Your direction.
00:15:13.48\00:15:16.08
David knew what you and
I need to know for sure.
00:15:16.11\00:15:18.55
Desires to do right in the
sight of God are well and good,
00:15:18.58\00:15:22.35
but without God taking
the reins of your heart,
00:15:22.38\00:15:25.19
without God having
possession of your will,
00:15:25.22\00:15:27.92
if you don't surrender to
God and let Him have your will,
00:15:27.96\00:15:30.53
those desires to live God's way
00:15:30.56\00:15:32.43
are only going to
end up in frustration.
00:15:32.46\00:15:37.03
Too many people fail spiritually
where they might succeed
00:15:37.07\00:15:41.07
because they don't
surrender their will to God.
00:15:41.10\00:15:43.24
If you're not asking
and asking and asking God
00:15:43.27\00:15:46.57
to take your
heart and your will,
00:15:46.61\00:15:48.78
it's time to do that right now.
00:15:48.81\00:15:50.21
Now, as the twelfth set of eight
verses begins in Psalm 119,
00:15:50.25\00:15:55.45
you read this in verse 89.
00:15:55.48\00:15:58.55
“Forever, O Lord, Your
Word is settled in heaven.”
00:15:58.59\00:16:04.19
Now this speaks to the
eternal nature of God's word.
00:16:04.23\00:16:06.80
Forever.
00:16:06.83\00:16:08.66
It's much like what Isaiah
wrote in Isaiah 40 in verse 8.
00:16:08.70\00:16:12.63
“The grass
withers, the flower fades,
00:16:12.67\00:16:15.70
but the word of our
God stands forever.”
00:16:15.74\00:16:18.24
It's like what Jesus
said in Matthew 5 in verse 18.
00:16:18.27\00:16:21.28
“For assuredly, I say to you,
till heaven and earth pass away,
00:16:21.31\00:16:25.25
one jot or one
tittle will by no means
00:16:25.28\00:16:28.58
pass from the law
till all is fulfilled.”
00:16:28.62\00:16:31.95
You don't want to make
the mistake of thinking
00:16:31.99\00:16:33.62
that somehow God's word or
God's law isn't important today.
00:16:33.66\00:16:39.13
The psalmist understood
what Jesus understood.
00:16:39.16\00:16:42.63
God's word lasts forever.
00:16:42.66\00:16:45.30
It matters forever.
00:16:45.33\00:16:48.07
No matter what the skeptics
say or what the critics say,
00:16:48.10\00:16:52.14
God's word is as relevant
today as it has ever been.
00:16:52.17\00:16:57.45
In a moment, perhaps
the most ¤(Music begins)¤
00:16:57.48\00:16:59.75
well-known verse in Psalm 119.
00:16:59.78\00:17:03.22
I'll be right back.
00:17:03.25\00:17:03.92
¤(Music increases and ends)¤
00:17:03.95\00:17:11.79
>>John Bradshaw: There
are hundreds, even thousands,
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of promises in the Bible
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all made by God to be a blessing
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Receive today's free
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and receive our free offer,
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“Promises of Peace.”
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¤(Music)¤
00:17:43.36\00:17:45.59
>>Woman: Planning
for your financial future
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is a vital aspect of
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For this reason,
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It Is Written
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>>John Bradshaw:
I'm in the Bahamas.
00:18:13.79\00:18:15.22
It's a slice of paradise really,
and as beautiful as it is,
00:18:15.26\00:18:19.63
it's a place
with a colorful past.
00:18:19.66\00:18:21.83
Once upon a time, the
Bahamas was a haven for pirates.
00:18:21.86\00:18:27.37
Blackbeard sailed these waters.
00:18:27.40\00:18:29.47
Pirates lived, or
live, outside the law.
00:18:29.50\00:18:33.17
They are lawless.
00:18:33.21\00:18:35.64
And the fact is
they were thieves,
00:18:35.68\00:18:37.55
(Voices, steel
clashing) murderers.
00:18:37.58\00:18:39.88
This isn't a game.
00:18:39.91\00:18:41.55
We still see lawlessness today.
00:18:41.58\00:18:44.52
¤(Music changes)¤
The battle is real.
00:18:44.55\00:18:47.79
Undoubtedly
you've experienced it.
00:18:47.82\00:18:49.82
You might be caught
in the middle of it now.
00:18:49.86\00:18:52.53
Can you see
yourself in that picture,
00:18:52.56\00:18:54.63
doing the things that
you know you should not?
00:18:54.66\00:18:57.33
See yourself in that picture?
00:18:57.37\00:18:59.33
You want a way
out of lawlessness?
00:18:59.37\00:19:01.40
You want a way out of
slavery to the old life?
00:19:01.44\00:19:04.91
Jesus is that way.
00:19:04.94\00:19:07.94
“Lawless,”
00:19:07.98\00:19:09.01
watch now on It Is Written TV.
00:19:09.04\00:19:13.25
>>John Bradshaw: Thanks for
joining me on It Is Written.
00:19:14.18\00:19:16.05
We're continuing our series,
“Great Chapters of the Bible.”
00:19:16.08\00:19:20.19
And today we're
looking at Psalm 119.
00:19:20.22\00:19:22.92
It's a powerful
chapter of the Bible.
00:19:22.96\00:19:25.49
It's the longest psalm
and every verse but one
00:19:25.53\00:19:29.53
of its 176 verses speaks
in some way to God's Word
00:19:29.56\00:19:34.20
or His law or to God's
revelation to humanity.
00:19:34.24\00:19:37.94
Some quick
points from Psalm 119.
00:19:37.97\00:19:40.11
This is verse 97.
00:19:40.14\00:19:42.14
“Oh, how I love Your law!
00:19:42.18\00:19:44.18
It is my
meditation all the day.”
00:19:44.21\00:19:47.52
And David
meditated on God's Word
00:19:47.55\00:19:49.42
and here he says, on God's law.
00:19:49.45\00:19:51.69
He thought about it.
00:19:51.72\00:19:52.99
He let it sink
deep into his mind.
00:19:53.02\00:19:56.42
In verse 98, he says he has more
understanding than his enemies.
00:19:56.46\00:20:01.06
In verse 99, more
understanding than his teachers.
00:20:01.10\00:20:04.43
And in verse 100, more
understanding than the ancients.
00:20:04.47\00:20:08.64
Why?
00:20:08.67\00:20:09.97
Because he keeps God's precepts.
00:20:10.01\00:20:13.34
The Bible will
open up your mind.
00:20:13.38\00:20:16.21
I met a woman recently
who couldn't read at all
00:20:16.24\00:20:19.85
until she was in
her late thirties,
00:20:19.88\00:20:21.48
and she learned to
read when she got a Bible
00:20:21.52\00:20:25.72
and began to read the Bible.
00:20:25.75\00:20:27.72
Changed her life.
00:20:27.76\00:20:28.82
I could tell you about a
young man who never thought
00:20:28.86\00:20:31.03
it was possible that
someone as slow as him
00:20:31.06\00:20:33.63
could ever go to medical school.
00:20:33.66\00:20:35.33
He wasn't a smart kid.
00:20:35.36\00:20:37.30
But Bible study
opened up his mind
00:20:37.33\00:20:40.50
and expanded his understanding.
00:20:40.54\00:20:42.74
There is power
in the Word of God.
00:20:42.77\00:20:45.77
There's a similar
thought expressed in verse 130.
00:20:45.81\00:20:48.34
“The entrance of
Your words gives light;
00:20:48.38\00:20:51.88
it gives
understanding to the simple.”
00:20:51.91\00:20:54.85
Now verse 105 is likely the
best-known verse in Psalm 119.
00:20:54.88\00:21:00.76
It says,
00:21:00.79\00:21:02.06
“Your word is a lamp to my
feet and a light to my path.”
00:21:02.09\00:21:08.36
And if you could sum
up Psalm 119 in one verse,
00:21:08.40\00:21:12.13
this might be the
one verse that you'd use.
00:21:12.17\00:21:15.54
That's what the
Bible ought to be,
00:21:15.57\00:21:16.87
your light in a dark world,
00:21:16.91\00:21:18.81
that guide you need
to guide you in times
00:21:18.84\00:21:20.91
when you're not
sure which way to go.
00:21:20.94\00:21:23.14
A light on your pathway.
00:21:23.18\00:21:25.95
Why does God call it that?
00:21:25.98\00:21:27.32
A lamp and a light?
00:21:27.35\00:21:28.95
The God of heaven is our
only hope in this world of sin.
00:21:28.98\00:21:32.52
And it is a world of sin.
00:21:32.55\00:21:33.72
Just look around.
00:21:33.76\00:21:35.16
If you haven't
experienced that in your life,
00:21:35.19\00:21:36.79
then you've seen it in the life
of someone that you care about.
00:21:36.83\00:21:39.96
But God's word can guide you.
00:21:40.00\00:21:41.60
It can offer you hope.
00:21:41.63\00:21:43.00
It'll keep you.
00:21:43.03\00:21:43.67
Where do I go with my life?
00:21:43.70\00:21:45.67
God's word will tell me.
00:21:45.70\00:21:47.20
How can I have a
hope in this world?
00:21:47.24\00:21:48.94
I find that hope in God's word.
00:21:48.97\00:21:51.01
How do I know the
right direction to go?
00:21:51.04\00:21:52.97
God will lead me
through His Word.
00:21:53.01\00:21:56.54
And what this means is that God
00:21:56.58\00:21:58.05
wants to have a
personal relationship with you,
00:21:58.08\00:22:00.42
where He speaks to
you through Scripture.
00:22:00.45\00:22:03.45
He wants you to be acquainted
with what the Bible says.
00:22:03.49\00:22:06.39
Not merely doctrinally,
as important as that is,
00:22:06.42\00:22:09.96
but experientially.
00:22:09.99\00:22:12.59
How well do you know God?
00:22:12.63\00:22:14.93
A big problem in this world
00:22:14.93\00:22:15.90
is that people
simply don't know God.
00:22:15.93\00:22:18.20
They've heard about Him.
00:22:18.23\00:22:19.70
But often it's a
very negative report.
00:22:19.73\00:22:22.67
Have you taken the time
to really get to know God?
00:22:22.70\00:22:24.84
Imagine if the answer
to that question is no.
00:22:24.87\00:22:28.08
In the Book of Job
you'll find this encouragement.
00:22:28.11\00:22:29.98
It's Job 22:21.
00:22:30.01\00:22:31.98
“Acquaint yourself
with Him and be at peace;
00:22:32.01\00:22:35.32
thereby good will come to you.”
00:22:35.35\00:22:38.35
In other words, get to know God,
00:22:38.39\00:22:41.26
and when you do,
peace will flood your life.
00:22:41.29\00:22:45.49
Verse 136 of Psalm
119 is interesting.
00:22:45.53\00:22:50.40
It says, “Rivers of
water run down from my eyes,
00:22:50.43\00:22:54.87
because men do
not keep Your law.”
00:22:54.90\00:22:57.24
What do you
think he'd say today?
00:22:57.27\00:23:00.38
Now Christians
who emphasize grace,
00:23:00.41\00:23:02.51
and, honestly, that
should be all Christians,
00:23:02.54\00:23:04.55
shouldn't get nervous
about this emphasis on the law.
00:23:04.58\00:23:07.22
No, the Bible writer isn't
talking about salvation by law
00:23:07.25\00:23:10.85
or salvation by works.
00:23:10.89\00:23:12.45
He's talking about the beauty
and the power of God's word.
00:23:12.49\00:23:15.86
How much he loves it.
00:23:15.89\00:23:16.96
And the powerful
effect it has on his life.
00:23:16.99\00:23:19.39
The psalmist would
recognize that God's law
00:23:19.43\00:23:21.26
and God's grace
are in perfect harmony.
00:23:21.30\00:23:23.73
It's not a matter
of one or the other,
00:23:23.77\00:23:25.87
it's both and, not either or.
00:23:25.90\00:23:28.50
You can row your boat
with just the oar of grace
00:23:28.54\00:23:32.07
or with just the
oar of obedience,
00:23:32.11\00:23:34.34
and in both cases
you'll find yourself
00:23:34.38\00:23:37.21
going around in circles.
00:23:37.25\00:23:38.35
That's what happens when
you row with just one oar.
00:23:38.38\00:23:41.38
But, but row with both
oars, with grace and obedience,
00:23:41.42\00:23:47.32
and you'll be led by God in that
straight line of faith and love.
00:23:47.36\00:23:52.43
Now notice verse 146 with me.
00:23:52.46\00:23:56.00
“I cry out to You; save me, and
I will keep your testimonies.”
00:23:56.03\00:24:02.14
That's clearly expressed.
00:24:02.17\00:24:03.47
You save me and my response
to You is that I obey You.
00:24:03.51\00:24:07.91
Obedience is the
response of the sinner
00:24:07.94\00:24:09.61
to the
salvation that God grants.
00:24:09.64\00:24:11.75
It's not the root of salvation,
00:24:11.78\00:24:13.62
but obedience is
the fruit of salvation.
00:24:13.65\00:24:16.89
But one more verse
to look at in Psalm 119,
00:24:16.92\00:24:20.12
that great testimony
to the transforming power
00:24:20.16\00:24:23.09
of the Word of God.
00:24:23.12\00:24:24.33
Verse 165.
00:24:24.36\00:24:26.83
The writer says, “Great peace
have those who love Your law,
00:24:26.86\00:24:32.00
and nothing
causes them to stumble.”
00:24:32.03\00:24:35.44
If you want peace in your life,
00:24:35.47\00:24:37.64
and everyone does,
choose to love God's law,
00:24:37.67\00:24:41.44
God's word, His
testimonies, His precepts,
00:24:41.48\00:24:44.61
His judgments, His statutes.
00:24:44.65\00:24:46.82
In this psalm,
00:24:46.85\00:24:48.02
David isn't simply saying
that he respects the Bible,
00:24:48.05\00:24:50.89
he's saying he
loves the Word of God.
00:24:50.92\00:24:53.36
And it brings assurance
and peace into his life.
00:24:53.39\00:24:57.56
Verse 165 is
much like the thought
00:24:57.59\00:25:00.20
that Isaiah
placed into Isaiah 32:17.
00:25:00.23\00:25:03.70
“The work of
righteousness will be peace,
00:25:03.73\00:25:06.94
and the effect of righteousness,
quiet and assurance forever.”
00:25:06.97\00:25:11.27
It's like what Paul
wrote in Romans 5:1,
00:25:11.31\00:25:13.94
“Therefore, being
justified by faith,
00:25:13.98\00:25:16.81
we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
00:25:16.85\00:25:21.32
When you make
God's word your guide,
00:25:21.35\00:25:23.65
the authority for your life,
00:25:23.69\00:25:25.52
when you choose to
allow God to have your heart,
00:25:25.55\00:25:28.06
that's when you have peace.
00:25:28.09\00:25:29.49
Let me ask you.
00:25:29.52\00:25:31.13
How's that working out for you?
00:25:31.16\00:25:33.13
It's not reasonable to
expect real peace in your life
00:25:33.16\00:25:35.53
if you're not making
time for God and His Word.
00:25:35.56\00:25:38.43
This great chapter of the Bible
is an encouragement to everyone.
00:25:38.47\00:25:43.20
Incorporate the
Bible into your life.
00:25:43.24\00:25:45.84
Read it.
00:25:45.87\00:25:47.21
Dwell on it.
00:25:47.24\00:25:48.51
You'll learn to love it,
and you'll love its Author.
00:25:48.54\00:25:52.25
Our time on this
earth is just so short.
00:25:52.28\00:25:54.88
People can make
time for everything,
00:25:54.92\00:25:56.82
social media, and, and, and
binge watching television series
00:25:56.85\00:26:00.42
and sport and
who knows what else.
00:26:00.46\00:26:04.53
But is there time in your life
for the most important thing?
00:26:04.56\00:26:08.36
Hide God's word in your heart.
00:26:08.40\00:26:10.07
Let if fortify
you, strengthen you.
00:26:10.10\00:26:12.27
Let it fill your mind.
00:26:12.30\00:26:13.84
Follow where it leads you,
00:26:13.87\00:26:15.84
and you'll find that you
have the Word made Flesh,
00:26:15.87\00:26:17.91
Jesus, present in your
life like never before.
00:26:17.94\00:26:23.55
>>John Bradshaw: Thank you for
remembering that It Is Written
00:26:24.11\00:26:26.01
exists because of the kindness
of people just like you.
00:26:26.05\00:26:29.08
To support this international
life-changing ministry,
00:26:29.12\00:26:32.72
please call us
now at 800-253-3000.
00:26:32.75\00:26:36.96
You can send your
tax-deductible gift
00:26:36.99\00:26:38.43
to the address on your screen
00:26:38.46\00:26:39.93
or you can visit us
online at itiswritten.com.
00:26:39.96\00:26:43.70
Thank you for your prayers
and for your financial support.
00:26:43.73\00:26:46.53
Our number again is 800-253-3000
00:26:46.57\00:26:50.71
or you can visit us
online at itiswritten.com.
00:26:50.74\00:26:53.84
>>John: Let's pray
together now. ¤(Music)¤
00:26:54.61\00:26:56.18
Our Father in heaven,
00:26:56.21\00:26:57.51
You did something great
when You gave us Your Word
00:26:57.55\00:26:59.61
and preserved it
down through the ages.
00:26:59.65\00:27:02.55
Give us grace to hide
Your Word in our heart,
00:27:02.58\00:27:04.82
let Your Word be a lamp to our
feet and a light to our path.
00:27:04.85\00:27:10.23
Let it cleanse our ways.
00:27:10.26\00:27:12.73
Let it strengthen us with Your
promises and with faith in You.
00:27:12.76\00:27:17.83
Grant that it would
connect us with heaven
00:27:17.87\00:27:20.54
and bring into our lives the
very presence of Jesus Christ.
00:27:20.57\00:27:24.51
We thank you for Psalm 119,
00:27:24.54\00:27:26.57
truly a great
chapter of the Bible.
00:27:26.61\00:27:29.18
Inspire us to know You
more, to know Your Word,
00:27:29.21\00:27:32.38
to read it, to live by it.
00:27:32.41\00:27:35.08
And then through
it, to be ready to meet
00:27:35.12\00:27:37.62
Jesus when He comes
back to take us home.
00:27:37.65\00:27:40.12
We thank You today and
we pray in Jesus' name,
00:27:40.16\00:27:43.63
Amen.
00:27:43.66\00:27:45.66
Thanks so much for joining me.
00:27:45.69\00:27:46.80
I'm looking forward
to seeing you next time.
00:27:46.83\00:27:48.83
Until then, remember,
00:27:48.86\00:27:50.87
it is written,
00:27:50.90\00:27:52.50
"Man shall not
live by bread alone,
00:27:52.53\00:27:54.94
but by every word that
proceeds from the mouth of God."
00:27:54.97\00:27:59.27
¤(Music increases,
changes, and ends)¤
00:27:59.31\00:28:14.39