LEARNING DAILY

Psalm 119:9-16, How can a young person stay pure? By obeying Your Word. I have tried hard to find You —don’t let me wander from Your commands. I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You. I praise you, O Lord; teach me Your decrees. I have recited aloud all the regulations You have given us. I have rejoiced in Your laws as much as in riches. I will study Your commandments and reflect on Your ways. I will delight in Your decrees and not forget Your Word. (New Living Translation)

The psalmist wrote, “How can a young person [and old people] stay pure?” Then the answer is given: “By obeying Your Word.” In his notes about Psalm 119:9-16, my friend DC Adkisson wrote this quote from Charles Spurgeon, “You must study the Bible so you can pay close attention to your daily life.” Don also wrote, “A careless man never led a holy life. It is not enough to desire to be right.” Moral purity is not a concern of many people; they already believe they are “good” people because they do “good” things.

This section of Psalm 119 emphasizes the ways in which the reading/studying/meditating on the Bible leads a person to living a purer life. Paul wrote to Timothy these words of encouragement, “Focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:13, 16, 17, NLT). Stay faithful to reading God’s Word in church, immerse yourself in the Word so your life of following Christ is evident to everyone; that was Paul’s encouragement to Timothy. It should resonate with each of us as Believers!

The Lord spoke to 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 careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Joshua 1:8, ESV). Believers are to read and study God’s Word; they are to reflect on what it says constantly so they can walk the narrow way as it directs us. This is the obedience God demands but it takes a constant pursuit to know and apply it.

David Guzik’s Study Guide for Psalm 119 lists ways God’s Word gives Believers a foundation for living a morally pure life. Here are a few of his reasons: “God’s word shows us the standard of purity, so we know what is right and what is wrong. God’s word shows us the reasons for purity, so we understand the wisdom and goodness of God’s commands. God’s Word shows us the difficulty of purity and reminds us to be on guard. God’s word is the key to the renewing of our minds, which in turn is the key to personal, moral, and spiritual transformation (Romans 12:1-2).”

The psalmist wrote four “I will” commitments at the end of this section (v15-16). “I will meditate in God's words. I will respect and contemplate all God's ways of doing things. I will delight in God's statutes. I will not forget what God has said.” (From DC Adkinson’s notes). I believe it is so important to examine these commitments and apply them to your life – each day. Believers are in an evil world with many temptations to follow the ways of those who do not follow biblical standards. Studying God’s Word, to know and apply His standards is the only way to walk each day on the narrow way.

“Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe” (Proverbs 2:9-11, NLT). I am trying to be committed to following the commitments in this Psalm. Will you do the same?