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Today we continue our series entitled, “Back to the Bible,” with Part 49. We have been looking at Psalm 119. Let’s continue to walk through this amazing psalm.
David said:
Passion Bible Translation
(v.167) My love for your ways is indescribable; in my innermost being I want to follow them perfectly!
(v.168) I will keep your instructions and follow your counsel; all my ways are an open book before you.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- David said that his love for the ways of God was indescribable. It is this passion for living God’s way that fueled his desire to want to hear from God and to then obey what he heard. Because we are free-moral-agents, and because God has given us the right to make our own decisions, it is SO easy to make decisions on our own. When posed with a life-decision, the natural tendency of this world is to consider the data (factors, conditions, etc.), weigh all the possible outcomes, and to then make the decision that makes the most sense. The problem with this is that God is a Spirit. He is Spiritual, not sensual. God’s will often leads us down roads without any sense-realm evidence. God’s plan is often behind the door that makes the least sense. This is why it is absolutely critical that we hear from God. David was known as a “man after God’s own heart,” because he was committed to searching for God’s ways, no matter how long it took him, and to then obey what God said. This is the way we are supposed to live. This is the life of faith.
- I remember having a discussion with a late family member years ago that lines up with my message today. This family member was very successful, by every measure of worldly success. But remember, God does not measure success the way the world does. For God, success is measured in purpose, not money, houses, cars, or anything else. I had a career decision to make. He told me to use a pencil, do the math, and make the decision that would produce the most money for me and my family. He said, “This is how I live. I always consult with the pencil and I follow the money.” In his heart he saw nothing wrong with his advice. He loved me and I do believe he wanted the best for me. However, I prayed about it, God led me to make the decision that was NOT the most financially lucrative, and God saw to it that I never lacked for anything. That was about 20 years ago. I have grown a great deal in Christ in those 20 years, but I am certainly glad that even as a young believer I did not chase money. I chose chasing God over chasing money and God has seen to it that now money chases me. What this boils down to is two ways to live. You can either live like the world or live like Jesus. Carnal Christians are Born-Again, but there is no true difference between them and the world. They live the same way the lived before coming to Christ. They live a completely human life. There is nothing supernatural about them at all. They are not led of the Holy Spirit. They do not take the time to hear from God. They make decisions using human logic, reason, and “common sense.” Jesus did not die so you could live like everyone else on this planet. Jesus died so you could live like Him. When you live like Jesus you are led of the Holy Spirit, you fill your heart with the Word of God, you only say what the Father tells you to say and you only do what the Father leads you to do. And guess what? Most of the time, what God tells you to do will not make any sense. Which is why you cannot consult with the world concerning it. Unspiritual people (carnal Christians included) cannot comprehend spiritual things.
- Many people claim to love God with all their hearts, only to then conveniently forget about seeking God when they have a decision to make. They make their own decision, they then present it to God, ask God to bless it, and then call that faith. That is not faith AT ALL!
- Many people claim to live by faith, but what they are actually doing is living by trial-and-error. They make their own decisions, they ask God to bless it, and if it does not work out, they say, ”That faith stuff does not work.” If it does work out, they say, “That was the will of God.” Honestly, God was not even in the process. You can’t bring God in after the fact and then claim that he led you to do it. You are either going to live by your own ability, power and decisions, or you are going to live by faith. And living by faith requires you seeking God BEFORE you decide. Living by faith means you are not going to DO IT and then ask God to BLESS IT. It means you are only going to DO what you believe God ALREADY SAID. At that point you don’t need to ask God to bless it. If He said it, it is already blessed! This is the life of faith.
- Living by faith is not always easy. God’s answers will not always come when you want them. His instructions don’t get released on your clock. He will say what He says when He chooses to say it, and living by faith means you are going to wait until God speaks before you go. This makes Him YOUR LORD! That’s the point. He is in charge and we are not. That is the life of faith.
Closing Confession:
Father, this is a season of expectation for me. I choose to live by faith. Faith begins where Your will is known. If I do not know Your will, then I cannot release my faith. I must know what You have already done, what You have already provided, and what You have already graced me for. Where You have provided grace, I provide faith. My faith accesses Your grace and I walk in Your best. This makes You my LORD. You are in charge and I am not. I do ONLY what You lead me to do. I say ONLY what You tell me to say. This is how I live. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
