Psalm 119:169-176

Scripture:
Let my cry come before you, O LORD; 
      give me understanding according to your word! 
Let my plea come before you; 
      deliver me according to your word. 
My lips will pour forth praise, 
      for you teach me your statutes. 
My tongue will sing of your word, 
      for all your commandments are right. 
Let your hand be ready to help me, 
      for I have chosen your precepts. 
I long for your salvation, O LORD, 
      and your law is my delight. 
Let my soul live and praise you, 
      and let your rules help me. 
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, 
      for I do not forget your commandments.   -Psalm 119:169-176, ESV

Observation:
-According to your (God's) word.
-God is the one who gives us understanding and deliverance.  he is the one who teaches us an helps us.

Some of my well-worn Bibles

Application:
"According to your word."  If I were going to choose a theme for Psalm 119 it would be those words.  As we come to the final verses of this wonderful Psalm I hope you realize how important the Bible is.  I hope you realize what a treasure we have access to.  I hope you know that an important part of the life of any believer is to study the Scriptures.  

One of my favorite Bible expositors, James Boice, said in a series of sermons he preached on Psalm 119, "Study of the Bible must be the consuming passion of a believer's life."  I think most of us are more comfortable with letting it be "a" consuming passion, but "the" consuming passion?  

As I sit here thinking about those words, and looking back over Psalm 119, I admit I tend to agree with Boice's statement.  To "do missions" correctly, we have to first know the message of the Gospel.  To "do church" correctly we have to know what God says about it in the Bible.  To live with my husband in a way that brings glory to God, I have to know what God says about marriage and, specifically, my role as wife.  

With all that fights for our time it is important to put things in their proper perspective.  I admit when I am up against deadlines, my personal Bible study is one of the first things to suffer.  "I don't have time!" becomes my cry.  Quilting becomes my consuming passion.  I need to learn to make room for both.  I need to learn not to lay aside the one thing I need most in my day.  

“When God from heaven gave his Word-His Word was all-sufficient; It needs no words I may have heard-To add to or be in it. So I will take God’s Book and read, To learn what God desires; The Bible gives the strength I need To do what God requires.”-James Montgomery Boice


Grace, Peace, and Mercy,
Deb

---