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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.
00:09:47.02\00:09:51.29
Receive today's free
offer, it's “Promises of Peace.”
00:09:51.32\00:09:55.36
Be blessed by
the promises of God.
00:09:55.39\00:09:58.03
To receive “Promises of Peace”
00:09:58.06\00:09:59.43
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.”
00:10:07.44\00:10:12.77
¤(Music)¤
00:10:13.78\00:10:18.51
>>Man: What does the
Bible say about astrology?
00:10:18.55\00:10:20.95
>>Man: Why do bad
things happen to good people?
00:10:25.45\00:10:27.72
>>Child: What color is Jesus?
00:10:34.00\00:10:36.40
>>John Bradshaw: If
you have a question,
00:10:36.43\00:10:37.57
we'd love to find an
answer for you from the Bible.
00:10:37.60\00:10:40.37
Line Upon Line
from “It Is Written” TV.
00:10:40.40\00:10:43.37
>>John Bradshaw: Thanks for
joining me on It Is Written.
00:10:44.17\00:10:47.08
We're looking at Psalm
119 in our ongoing series,
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“Great Chapters of the Bible.”
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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,
00:11:02.16\00:11:04.33
a chapter that would take
you around 15 minutes to recite
00:11:04.36\00:11:07.30
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,
00:11:19.51\00:11:22.51
as the means of receiving
not only powerful holy living,
00:11:22.54\00:11:26.65
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.
00:11:40.26\00:11:42.80
I will meditate
on Your precepts,
00:11:42.83\00:11:45.10
and contemplate Your ways.
00:11:45.13\00:11:47.24
I will delight
myself in Your statues;
00:11:47.27\00:11:50.34
I will not forget Your word.”
00:11:50.37\00:11:52.91
I've rejoiced
in Your testimonies
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as much as in all riches?
00:11:55.38\00:11:58.61
Now, David was a wealthy man.
00:11:58.65\00:12:00.35
Here he says that
God's Word meant more to him
00:12:00.38\00:12:02.75
than all the wealth
he could accumulate.
00:12:02.78\00:12:05.55
So, let's ask an
honest question here.
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Is this just hyperbole?
00:12:07.56\00:12:09.62
Is David simply
exaggerating to make a point?
00:12:09.66\00:12:13.29
No, he's not.
00:12:13.33\00:12:14.60
For him, God's Word was the most
precious commodity he knew of.
00:12:14.63\00:12:19.57
For those who live in parts
of the world where the Bible
00:12:19.60\00:12:21.40
is freely available and you
can live your faith in freedom,
00:12:21.44\00:12:24.54
it might be less
easy or less common
00:12:24.57\00:12:27.91
to feel that
way about the Bible.
00:12:27.94\00:12:30.41
But David was
deadly serious about this.
00:12:30.45\00:12:33.72
And what did he do
with the Word of God?
00:12:33.75\00:12:36.45
Well, he meditated on it.
00:12:36.48\00:12:38.79
He contemplated it.
00:12:38.82\00:12:40.56
He thought about it.
00:12:40.59\00:12:41.86
He chewed it over in his mind.
00:12:41.89\00:12:44.19
He was
determined not to forget it.
00:12:44.23\00:12:47.60
You know, this modern world
00:12:47.66\00:12:48.56
where our minds seem
to be always occupied.
00:12:48.60\00:12:51.00
We're checking
social media or, or email.
00:12:51.03\00:12:54.07
People drive along
listening to the radio
00:12:54.10\00:12:56.44
or to music they
brought with them.
00:12:56.47\00:12:58.91
Life is full of flashing
lights and distractions.
00:12:58.94\00:13:02.21
It's not nearly as
easy as it used to be
00:13:02.24\00:13:04.01
to simply think
about God's Word.
00:13:04.05\00:13:06.55
Less people do it.
00:13:06.58\00:13:07.92
To let God's Word
wash over your mind
00:13:07.95\00:13:10.39
and influence your daily life.
00:13:10.42\00:13:12.82
Modern life
conspires against faith.
00:13:12.85\00:13:16.42
I've been told by
people a thousand times,
00:13:16.46\00:13:18.69
“I'm just too busy.”
00:13:18.73\00:13:19.86
“I just don't have time.”
00:13:19.89\00:13:22.06
Who do you think
worked it out that way?
00:13:22.10\00:13:24.50
The devil does not
want you to read the Bible,
00:13:24.53\00:13:27.24
and he's figured
out a thousand ways
00:13:27.27\00:13:28.77
to keep you
from getting into it.
00:13:28.80\00:13:30.64
But David, he
meditated on God's Word.
00:13:30.67\00:13:34.41
Now don't get this confused with
Eastern religious practices.
00:13:34.44\00:13:37.58
Meditating on the
Bible has nothing to do
00:13:37.61\00:13:39.98
with emptying your
mind or repeating a mantra.
00:13:40.02\00:13:43.28
It's about
focusing on the Word of God.
00:13:43.32\00:13:45.75
Thinking about Scripture.
00:13:45.79\00:13:47.36
Letting it sink into your mind.
00:13:47.39\00:13:49.29
Ask yourself, when did you
last really focus on God's Word?
00:13:49.32\00:13:55.23
Thinking about what God
is actually saying to you
00:13:55.26\00:13:58.10
through the Bible?
00:13:58.13\00:13:59.33
Considering what a verse really
says and wondering with God
00:13:59.37\00:14:02.24
about how that verse or passage
should be applied to your life?
00:14:02.27\00:14:06.14
That's the
meditation being written about.
00:14:06.17\00:14:08.58
That is healthy
and it's helpful.
00:14:08.61\00:14:11.91
Now it says in verse
24, Psalm 119, verse 24.
00:14:11.95\00:14:16.22
“Your testimonies also are
my delight and my counselors.”
00:14:16.25\00:14:21.02
Now see how practical that is?
00:14:21.06\00:14:22.79
The word of God is to guide you.
00:14:22.82\00:14:24.16
It advises you.
00:14:24.19\00:14:26.03
You make your decisions for life
00:14:26.06\00:14:28.60
on the basis of
what God suggests.
00:14:28.63\00:14:31.77
God wants you and me
to be just like that.
00:14:31.80\00:14:33.80
When it's decision
time, it's Bible time.
00:14:33.84\00:14:36.40
What does God have to say about
this decision in your life?
00:14:36.44\00:14:39.41
You'll know if you take
the time to read and pray.
00:14:39.44\00:14:43.45
Now, look at this passage.
00:14:43.48\00:14:44.98
It is powerful.
00:14:45.01\00:14:46.45
We start in verse 34.
00:14:46.48\00:14:49.25
“Give me understanding,
and I shall keep Your law;
00:14:49.28\00:14:52.92
indeed, I shall
observe it with my whole heart.
00:14:52.95\00:14:55.76
Make me walk in the
path of Your commandments,
00:14:55.79\00:14:58.36
for I delight in it.
00:14:58.39\00:15:00.26
Incline my heart
to Your testimonies,
00:15:00.30\00:15:02.80
and not to covetousness.”
00:15:02.83\00:15:05.20
You see what the
writer is saying here?
00:15:05.23\00:15:07.04
I will keep your law,
that's my will, my purpose.
00:15:07.07\00:15:10.34
But, God, make me
walk in the right way,
00:15:10.37\00:15:13.94
bend my heart in Your direction.
00:15:13.98\00:15:16.58
David knew what you and
I need to know for sure.
00:15:16.61\00:15:19.05
Desires to do right in the
sight of God are well and good,
00:15:19.08\00:15:22.85
but without God taking
the reins of your heart,
00:15:22.88\00:15:25.69
without God having
possession of your will,
00:15:25.72\00:15:28.42
if you don't surrender to
God and let Him have your will,
00:15:28.46\00:15:31.03
those desires to live God's way
00:15:31.06\00:15:32.93
are only going to
end up in frustration.
00:15:32.96\00:15:37.53
Too many people fail spiritually
where they might succeed
00:15:37.57\00:15:41.57
because they don't
surrender their will to God.
00:15:41.60\00:15:43.74
If you're not asking
and asking and asking God
00:15:43.77\00:15:47.08
to take your
heart and your will,
00:15:47.11\00:15:49.28
it's time to do that right now.
00:15:49.31\00:15:50.71
Now, as the twelfth set of eight
verses begins in Psalm 119,
00:15:50.75\00:15:55.95
you read this in verse 89.
00:15:55.98\00:15:59.05
“Forever, O Lord, Your
Word is settled in heaven.”
00:15:59.09\00:16:04.69
Now this speaks to the
eternal nature of God's word.
00:16:04.73\00:16:07.30
Forever.
00:16:07.30\00:16:09.16
It's much like what Isaiah
wrote in Isaiah 40 in verse 8.
00:16:09.20\00:16:13.13
“The grass
withers, the flower fades,
00:16:13.17\00:16:16.20
but the word of our
God stands forever.”
00:16:16.24\00:16:18.74
It's like what Jesus
said in Matthew 5 in verse 18.
00:16:18.77\00:16:21.78
“For assuredly, I say to you,
till heaven and earth pass away,
00:16:21.81\00:16:25.75
one jot or one
tittle will by no means
00:16:25.78\00:16:29.08
pass from the law
till all is fulfilled.”
00:16:29.12\00:16:32.45
You don't want to make
the mistake of thinking
00:16:32.49\00:16:34.12
that somehow God's word or
God's law isn't important today.
00:16:34.16\00:16:39.63
The psalmist understood
what Jesus understood.
00:16:39.66\00:16:43.13
God's word lasts forever.
00:16:43.16\00:16:45.80
It matters forever.
00:16:45.83\00:16:48.57
No matter what the skeptics
say or what the critics say,
00:16:48.60\00:16:52.64
God's word is as relevant
today as it has ever been.
00:16:52.67\00:16:57.95
In a moment, perhaps
the most ¤(Music begins)¤
00:16:57.98\00:17:00.32
well-known verse in Psalm 119.
00:17:00.35\00:17:03.72
I'll be right back.
00:17:03.75\00:17:04.42
¤(Music increases and ends)¤
00:17:04.45\00:17:12.29
>>John Bradshaw: There
are hundreds, even thousands,
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of promises in the Bible
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and receive our free offer,
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“Promises of Peace.”
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¤(Music)¤
00:17:43.86\00:17:46.09
>>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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Call 800-992-2219.
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>>John Bradshaw:
I'm in the Bahamas.
00:18:14.29\00:18:15.72
It's a slice of paradise really,
and as beautiful as it is,
00:18:15.76\00:18:20.13
it's a place
with a colorful past.
00:18:20.16\00:18:22.33
Once upon a time, the
Bahamas was a haven for pirates.
00:18:22.36\00:18:27.87
Blackbeard sailed these waters.
00:18:27.90\00:18:29.97
Pirates lived, or
live, outside the law.
00:18:30.01\00:18:33.68
They are lawless.
00:18:33.71\00:18:36.14
And the fact is
they were thieves,
00:18:36.18\00:18:38.05
(Voices, steel
clashing) murderers.
00:18:38.08\00:18:40.38
This isn't a game.
00:18:40.42\00:18:42.05
We still see lawlessness today.
00:18:42.08\00:18:45.02
¤(Music changes)¤
The battle is real.
00:18:45.05\00:18:48.29
Undoubtedly
you've experienced it.
00:18:48.32\00:18:50.33
You might be caught
in the middle of it now.
00:18:50.36\00:18:53.03
Can you see
yourself in that picture,
00:18:53.06\00:18:55.13
doing the things that
you know you should not?
00:18:55.16\00:18:57.83
See yourself in that picture?
00:18:57.87\00:18:59.83
You want a way
out of lawlessness?
00:18:59.87\00:19:01.90
You want a way out of
slavery to the old life?
00:19:01.94\00:19:05.41
Jesus is that way.
00:19:05.44\00:19:08.44
“Lawless,”
00:19:08.48\00:19:09.51
watch now on It Is Written TV.
00:19:09.54\00:19:13.75
>>John Bradshaw: Thanks for
joining me on It Is Written.
00:19:14.68\00:19:16.55
We're continuing our series,
“Great Chapters of the Bible.”
00:19:16.58\00:19:20.69
And today we're
looking at Psalm 119.
00:19:20.72\00:19:23.43
It's a powerful
chapter of the Bible.
00:19:23.46\00:19:25.99
It's the longest psalm
and every verse but one
00:19:26.03\00:19:30.03
of its 176 verses speaks
in some way to God's Word
00:19:30.07\00:19:34.70
or His law or to God's
revelation to humanity.
00:19:34.74\00:19:38.44
Some quick
points from Psalm 119.
00:19:38.47\00:19:40.61
This is verse 97.
00:19:40.64\00:19:42.64
“Oh, how I love Your law!
00:19:42.68\00:19:44.68
It is my
meditation all the day.”
00:19:44.71\00:19:48.02
And David
meditated on God's Word
00:19:48.05\00:19:49.92
and here he says, on God's law.
00:19:49.95\00:19:52.19
He thought about it.
00:19:52.22\00:19:53.49
He let it sink
deep into his mind.
00:19:53.52\00:19:56.93
In verse 98, he says he has more
understanding than his enemies.
00:19:56.96\00:20:01.56
In verse 99, more
understanding than his teachers.
00:20:01.60\00:20:04.93
And in verse 100, more
understanding than the ancients.
00:20:04.97\00:20:09.14
Why?
00:20:09.17\00:20:10.47
Because he keeps God's precepts.
00:20:10.51\00:20:13.84
The Bible will
open up your mind.
00:20:13.88\00:20:16.71
I met a woman recently
who couldn't read at all
00:20:16.75\00:20:20.35
until she was in
her late thirties,
00:20:20.38\00:20:21.98
and she learned to
read when she got a Bible
00:20:22.02\00:20:26.22
and began to read the Bible.
00:20:26.25\00:20:28.22
Changed her life.
00:20:28.26\00:20:29.32
I could tell you about a
young man who never thought
00:20:29.36\00:20:31.53
it was possible that
someone as slow as him
00:20:31.56\00:20:34.10
could ever go to medical school.
00:20:34.13\00:20:35.83
He wasn't a smart kid.
00:20:35.86\00:20:37.80
But Bible study
opened up his mind
00:20:37.83\00:20:41.00
and expanded his understanding.
00:20:41.04\00:20:43.24
There is power
in the Word of God.
00:20:43.27\00:20:46.27
There's a similar
thought expressed in verse 130.
00:20:46.31\00:20:48.84
“The entrance of
Your words gives light;
00:20:48.88\00:20:52.38
it gives
understanding to the simple.”
00:20:52.41\00:20:55.35
Now verse 105 is likely the
best-known verse in Psalm 119.
00:20:55.38\00:21:01.26
It says,
00:21:01.29\00:21:02.56
“Your word is a lamp to my
feet and a light to my path.”
00:21:02.59\00:21:08.86
And if you could sum
up Psalm 119 in one verse,
00:21:08.90\00:21:12.63
this might be the
one verse that you'd use.
00:21:12.67\00:21:16.04
That's what the
Bible ought to be,
00:21:16.07\00:21:17.37
your light in a dark world,
00:21:17.41\00:21:19.31
that guide you need
to guide you in times
00:21:19.34\00:21:21.41
when you're not
sure which way to go.
00:21:21.44\00:21:23.65
A light on your pathway.
00:21:23.68\00:21:26.45
Why does God call it that?
00:21:26.48\00:21:27.82
A lamp and a light?
00:21:27.85\00:21:29.45
The God of heaven is our
only hope in this world of sin.
00:21:29.48\00:21:33.02
And it is a world of sin.
00:21:33.05\00:21:34.22
Just look around.
00:21:34.26\00:21:35.66
If you haven't
experienced that in your life,
00:21:35.69\00:21:37.29
then you've seen it in the life
of someone that you care about.
00:21:37.33\00:21:40.46
But God's word can guide you.
00:21:40.50\00:21:42.10
It can offer you hope.
00:21:42.13\00:21:43.50
It'll keep you.
00:21:43.53\00:21:44.17
Where do I go with my life?
00:21:44.20\00:21:46.17
God's word will tell me.
00:21:46.20\00:21:47.70
How can I have a
hope in this world?
00:21:47.74\00:21:49.44
I find that hope in God's word.
00:21:49.47\00:21:51.51
How do I know the
right direction to go?
00:21:51.54\00:21:53.48
God will lead me
through His Word.
00:21:53.51\00:21:57.05
And what this means is that God
00:21:57.08\00:21:58.55
wants to have a
personal relationship with you,
00:21:58.58\00:22:00.92
where He speaks to
you through Scripture.
00:22:00.95\00:22:03.95
He wants you to be acquainted
with what the Bible says.
00:22:03.99\00:22:06.89
Not merely doctrinally,
as important as that is,
00:22:06.92\00:22:10.46
but experientially.
00:22:10.49\00:22:13.09
How well do you know God?
00:22:13.13\00:22:15.40
A big problem in this world
00:22:15.43\00:22:16.40
is that people
simply don't know God.
00:22:16.43\00:22:18.70
They've heard about Him.
00:22:18.73\00:22:20.20
But often it's a
very negative report.
00:22:20.24\00:22:23.17
Have you taken the time
to really get to know God?
00:22:23.20\00:22:25.34
Imagine if the answer
to that question is no.
00:22:25.37\00:22:28.58
In the Book of Job
you'll find this encouragement.
00:22:28.61\00:22:30.48
It's Job 22:21.
00:22:30.51\00:22:32.48
“Acquaint yourself
with Him and be at peace;
00:22:32.51\00:22:35.82
thereby good will come to you.”
00:22:35.85\00:22:38.85
In other words, get to know God,
00:22:38.89\00:22:41.76
and when you do,
peace will flood your life.
00:22:41.79\00:22:45.99
Verse 136 of Psalm
119 is interesting.
00:22:46.03\00:22:50.90
It says, “Rivers of
water run down from my eyes,
00:22:50.93\00:22:55.37
because men do
not keep Your law.”
00:22:55.40\00:22:57.74
What do you
think he'd say today?
00:22:57.77\00:23:00.88
Now Christians
who emphasize grace,
00:23:00.91\00:23:03.01
and, honestly, that
should be all Christians,
00:23:03.04\00:23:05.05
shouldn't get nervous
about this emphasis on the law.
00:23:05.08\00:23:07.72
No, the Bible writer isn't
talking about salvation by law
00:23:07.75\00:23:11.35
or salvation by works.
00:23:11.39\00:23:12.95
He's talking about the beauty
and the power of God's word.
00:23:12.99\00:23:16.36
How much he loves it.
00:23:16.39\00:23:17.46
And the powerful
effect it has on his life.
00:23:17.49\00:23:19.89
The psalmist would
recognize that God's law
00:23:19.93\00:23:21.76
and God's grace
are in perfect harmony.
00:23:21.80\00:23:24.23
It's not a matter
of one or the other,
00:23:24.27\00:23:26.37
it's both and, not either or.
00:23:26.40\00:23:29.00
You can row your boat
with just the oar of grace
00:23:29.04\00:23:32.57
or with just the
oar of obedience,
00:23:32.61\00:23:34.84
and in both cases
you'll find yourself
00:23:34.88\00:23:37.71
going around in circles.
00:23:37.75\00:23:38.85
That's what happens when
you row with just one oar.
00:23:38.88\00:23:41.88
But, but row with both
oars, with grace and obedience,
00:23:41.92\00:23:47.82
and you'll be led by God in that
straight line of faith and love.
00:23:47.86\00:23:52.93
Now notice verse 146 with me.
00:23:52.96\00:23:56.50
“I cry out to You; save me, and
I will keep your testimonies.”
00:23:56.53\00:24:02.64
That's clearly expressed.
00:24:02.67\00:24:03.97
You save me and my response
to You is that I obey You.
00:24:04.01\00:24:08.41
Obedience is the
response of the sinner
00:24:08.44\00:24:10.11
to the
salvation that God grants.
00:24:10.15\00:24:12.25
It's not the root of salvation,
00:24:12.28\00:24:14.12
but obedience is
the fruit of salvation.
00:24:14.15\00:24:17.39
But one more verse
to look at in Psalm 119,
00:24:17.42\00:24:20.62
that great testimony
to the transforming power
00:24:20.66\00:24:23.59
of the Word of God.
00:24:23.63\00:24:24.83
Verse 165.
00:24:24.86\00:24:27.30
The writer says, “Great peace
have those who love Your law,
00:24:27.36\00:24:32.50
and nothing
causes them to stumble.”
00:24:32.53\00:24:35.94
If you want peace in your life,
00:24:35.97\00:24:38.14
and everyone does,
choose to love God's law,
00:24:38.17\00:24:41.94
God's word, His
testimonies, His precepts,
00:24:41.98\00:24:45.11
His judgments, His statutes.
00:24:45.15\00:24:47.32
In this psalm,
00:24:47.35\00:24:48.52
David isn't simply saying
that he respects the Bible,
00:24:48.55\00:24:51.39
he's saying he
loves the Word of God.
00:24:51.42\00:24:53.86
And it brings assurance
and peace into his life.
00:24:53.89\00:24:58.06
Verse 165 is
much like the thought
00:24:58.09\00:25:00.70
that Isaiah
placed into Isaiah 32:17.
00:25:00.73\00:25:04.20
“The work of
righteousness will be peace,
00:25:04.23\00:25:07.44
and the effect of righteousness,
quiet and assurance forever.”
00:25:07.47\00:25:11.77
It's like what Paul
wrote in Romans 5:1,
00:25:11.81\00:25:14.44
“Therefore, being
justified by faith,
00:25:14.48\00:25:17.31
we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
00:25:17.35\00:25:21.82
When you make
God's word your guide,
00:25:21.85\00:25:24.15
the authority for your life,
00:25:24.19\00:25:26.02
when you choose to
allow God to have your heart,
00:25:26.05\00:25:28.56
that's when you have peace.
00:25:28.59\00:25:29.99
Let me ask you.
00:25:30.03\00:25:31.63
How's that working out for you?
00:25:31.66\00:25:33.63
It's not reasonable to
expect real peace in your life
00:25:33.66\00:25:36.03
if you're not making
time for God and His Word.
00:25:36.06\00:25:38.93
This great chapter of the Bible
is an encouragement to everyone.
00:25:38.97\00:25:43.71
Incorporate the
Bible into your life.
00:25:43.74\00:25:46.34
Read it.
00:25:46.37\00:25:47.71
Dwell on it.
00:25:47.74\00:25:49.01
You'll learn to love it,
and you'll love its Author.
00:25:49.04\00:25:52.75
Our time on this
earth is just so short.
00:25:52.78\00:25:55.38
People can make
time for everything,
00:25:55.42\00:25:57.32
social media, and, and, and
binge watching television series
00:25:57.35\00:26:00.92
and sport and
who knows what else.
00:26:00.96\00:26:05.03
But is there time in your life
for the most important thing?
00:26:05.06\00:26:08.86
Hide God's word in your heart.
00:26:08.90\00:26:10.57
Let if fortify
you, strengthen you.
00:26:10.60\00:26:12.77
Let it fill your mind.
00:26:12.80\00:26:14.34
Follow where it leads you,
00:26:14.37\00:26:16.34
and you'll find that you
have the Word made Flesh,
00:26:16.37\00:26:18.41
Jesus, present in your
life like never before.
00:26:18.44\00:26:24.05
>>John Bradshaw: Thank you for
remembering that It Is Written
00:26:24.61\00:26:26.51
exists because of the kindness
of people just like you.
00:26:26.55\00:26:29.58
To support this international
life-changing ministry,
00:26:29.62\00:26:33.22
please call us
now at 800-253-3000.
00:26:33.25\00:26:37.46
You can send your
tax-deductible gift
00:26:37.49\00:26:38.93
to the address on your screen
00:26:38.96\00:26:40.43
or you can visit us
online at itiswritten.com.
00:26:40.46\00:26:44.20
Thank you for your prayers
and for your financial support.
00:26:44.23\00:26:47.04
Our number again is 800-253-3000
00:26:47.07\00:26:51.21
or you can visit us
online at itiswritten.com.
00:26:51.24\00:26:54.34
>>John: Let's pray
together now. ¤(Music)¤
00:26:55.11\00:26:56.68
Our Father in heaven,
00:26:56.71\00:26:58.01
You did something great
when You gave us Your Word
00:26:58.05\00:27:00.18
and preserved it
down through the ages.
00:27:00.22\00:27:03.05
Give us grace to hide
Your Word in our heart,
00:27:03.08\00:27:05.32
let Your Word be a lamp to our
feet and a light to our path.
00:27:05.35\00:27:10.73
Let it cleanse our ways.
00:27:10.76\00:27:13.23
Let it strengthen us with Your
promises and with faith in You.
00:27:13.26\00:27:18.33
Grant that it would
connect us with heaven
00:27:18.37\00:27:21.04
and bring into our lives the
very presence of Jesus Christ.
00:27:21.07\00:27:25.01
We thank you for Psalm 119,
00:27:25.04\00:27:27.08
truly a great
chapter of the Bible.
00:27:27.11\00:27:29.68
Inspire us to know You
more, to know Your Word,
00:27:29.71\00:27:32.88
to read it, to live by it.
00:27:32.91\00:27:35.58
And then through
it, to be ready to meet
00:27:35.62\00:27:38.12
Jesus when He comes
back to take us home.
00:27:38.15\00:27:40.62
We thank You today and
we pray in Jesus' name,
00:27:40.66\00:27:44.13
Amen.
00:27:44.16\00:27:46.16
Thanks so much for joining me.
00:27:46.19\00:27:47.30
I'm looking forward
to seeing you next time.
00:27:47.30\00:27:49.33
Until then, remember,
00:27:49.36\00:27:51.37
it is written,
00:27:51.40\00:27:53.00
"Man shall not
live by bread alone,
00:27:53.03\00:27:55.44
but by every word that
proceeds from the mouth of God."
00:27:55.47\00:27:59.77
¤(Music increases,
changes, and ends)¤
00:27:59.81\00:28:14.89