Recovering from the devastating effects of sin

Psalm 119:25-40 (Message) (Some verses omitted)

I'm feeling terrible—I couldn't feel worse!   Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember?  My sad life's dilapidated, a falling-down barn; build me up again by Your Word.  I grasp and cling to whatever You tell me; God, don't let me down!   I'll run the course You lay out for me if You'll just show me how. God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course.  Give me insight so I can do what You tell me—  my whole life one long, obedient response.  Guide me down the road of Your commandments; I love traveling this freeway!  Give me a bent for Your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot.  Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way.  Affirm Your promises to me— promises made to all who fear You. See how hungry I am for Your counsel; preserve my life through Your righteous ways!

 

Serious Bible students know that Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible (with Psalm 117 being the shortest and Psalm 118 being the middle chapter of the entire Bible).  The distinguishing feature of Psalm 119 is that each of its 176 verses contain a word the references God’s Word, the Bible.  Typical words used in original translations (not paraphrases such as The Living Bible or the Message Bible) are law, testimonies, precepts, statues, commandments, judgments, word, and ordinances.  Also, Psalm 119 is divided into 22 stanzas each with 8 lines, with each stanza starting the successful letters of the Hebrew alphabet with each line in that stanza also beginning with the same letter.  Amazing!

Anyone who has felt guilty because committed or omitted sin in your life can read these words and feel immediate relief.  God’s Word—the Bible—and these specific words found in Psalm 119:25-40 offer the reader hope to recover from the devastating effects of sin.  Note the pleas of the psalmist and the promises---

·  Get me on my feet again

·  Build me up again

·  Don’t let me down

·  Just show me how

·  Teach me lessons for living

·  Give me insight

·  Guide me

·  Give me a bent for Your words

·  Divert my eyes

·  Invigorate me

·  Affirm Your promises

·  Preserve my life

Note also how many times the psalmist refers to the name of God to help him recover; I count at least 14 times where God is implored to help.  It is God through His Word that can enable you to overcome any sin in your life.  Use any or all of these phrases in your prayers to God to help you plus you will feel an immediate sense of relief and peace.

Psalm 119:37 speaks of your eyes turning away from toys and trinkets.  The original Hebrew word that is translated toys and trinkets actually means worthless, vain, or false things that your eyes should not focus on.  What might these be in your life?  Is pornography or nudity, or riches, or dishonest gain, or selfish interests something that your eyes focus on?  You must turn away from these worthless, no good, and deceitful things.  If you don’t, you are leading yourself to eternal destruction. 

Do you have a “bent” for the Word of God?  The Hebrew word means to incline or “stretch forth” toward something.  You know deep in your heart if God’s Word interests you or not.  If it does not, pray as the psalmist prays that the Lord will help you to be more enthusiastic and interested in learning and applying His Word.  Just try reading Psalm 119 several times and see if the Lord does not enable His Word to sink deep within you.  May you see clearly what His Word will do to help you improve your life and become someone of whom the Lord will someday say, “Well done, good and faithful servant”.