NOTE: Isabella and I are heading to the Dominican Republic in a few hours. I have two things to share with you about our trip. First, If you would like to make a tax deductible donation towards our work there, please visit http://ripministries.org/donate and make a donation to the General Fund. Second, I will not be able to send out Today’s Word tomorrow. After today’s message, I will catch you on Monday. Pray for us!
Today we continue our series entitled, “Back to the Bible,” with Part 14. A couple of days ago I introduced you to Psalm 119. We looked at verses 1-4 yesterday. Today we will look at verses 5, 6 and 8; all from The Passion Bible Translation (TPT).
David said:
(v.5) How I long for my life to bring you glory as I follow each and every one of your holy precepts!
(v.6) Then I’ll never be ashamed, for I take strength from all your commandments.
(v.8) I will be faithful to all that your word reveals— so don’t ever give up on me!
(Psalm 119:1-4 TPT)
You were placed on this planet to glorify God. Your goal should be to live in a way that brings God glory. When you fill your heart with the Word of God and you DO what it says, your life will do just that!
So what does this mean to you today? Let’s glean a few things from these verses.
1. The Bible says, “How I long for my life to bring you glory as I follow each and every one of your holy precepts!” (Psalm 119:5 TPT).
a) David acknowledged the fact that God made it easy for us. He gave us His Word. God’s Word is His will on paper. If we want to live a life that is pleasing in His sight, if we want to glorify God in all we do, all we have to do is read, believe, apply and obey His Word.
b) When you make the Word of God the standard for your life and daily living, the glory of God will be manifested in what you do! People will look at you and see Him! They will talk to you and hear Him! They will walk away from you having encountered Him!
2. David said, “Then I’ll never be ashamed, for I take strength from all your commandments.” (Psalm 119:6 TPT).
a) David made it clear that we are to take strength in ALL of God’s commands. The Word of God empowers and emboldens us to live as walking/talking examples of God’s goodness in the earth.
b) In the New Testament, Paul explained that as believers, we should be workmen who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15). In 2 Tim 2:15 the Apostle Paul mentioned the words “approved” and “ashamed.” If you study the Word and get it down in your heart, when situations present themselves and you have to apply what God said, you will either be approved or ashamed. If you know the Word and apply it, you will be approved. If you don’t, you will miss the mark and be ashamed. In our text, David said that when you take strength from all of God’s commands, you will NEVER be ashamed! Living by the Word of God will keep you from the shame of not doing so.
3. The Bible says, “I will be faithful to all that your word reveals— so don’t ever give up on me!” (Psalm 119:8 TPT).
a) The goal is to be faithful to ALL that God’s Word reveals. This was David’s goal. This is to be ours as well.
b) By faith, David was declaring that he was going to be faithful. He was speaking his “To Be” stage from his “right now” stage. He knew he was not perfect, but he was striving for perfection. So he said, “Lord, don’t ever give up on me!” That is a great prayer for us today. Pray, “Lord, I may not be where I want to be, but I am not where I used to be. Don’t ever give up on me!” And the good news is that God won’t. He will never leave us, forsake us, or turn His back on us!
Closing Confession:
Father, this is a season of expectation for me. You placed me on this planet to bring glory to Your name. I am determined to do so. I want to live a life that is pleasing in Your sight. This is why I fill my heart with Your Word. Your Word is the ruler by which I judte every decision. Your Word is my standard, it is my guide. I read, believe, apply and obey Your Word daily. As I live this way, people will look at me and SEE YOU! My life brings You glory every day, in ever way! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
