Psalm 119:4-8

Posted on December 16, 2019 by Catey Stover in Freedom Fighters

You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me.

During our recent Museum of the Bible trip, I learned that there are 613 commandments in the Old Testament. 365 negative commands (things not to do/perform) and 248 positive commands (things to perform/do). Some scholars say that the 365 is for the number of solar days, and 248 equals the number of bones and main organs in the body.

Pretty interesting, huh?

Thanks for dialing in today for our Monday Freedom Fighter Blog. I really appreciate you being on this journey with us.

We have been digging into Psalm 119, and I want to just touch on several things about verses 4-8.

Verse 4 – We will never ever be able to keep His commandments carefully if we don’t take the time to read His Word on a consistent basis. Some of us have taken tried to take our convictions and preferences and turn them into absolutes from Scripture. This can be so dangerous.

Absolutes are those principles from Scripture that are not up for debate. The Word is VERY clear on those. There are some things that we have made absolutes that are up for our interpretation. Don’t shoot the messenger, but there are great Bible scholars who do not agree on the mode of Baptism, spiritual gifts, and Bible prophecy.

What I am trying to say ties into verse 6 – “Oh, that my ACTIONS would CONSISTENTLY reflect your decrees. I have had people over the years that I love who are King James only people. Or maybe they will only read from the Schofield Reference Bible. They can point out when someone is “off” doctrinally (from their point of view). BUT the reality is that while they can point out error, some have had bitter spirits, are some of the biggest gossipers, and have a very critical spirit.

If we are not careful it is easier to talk it and teach it, it’s another thing to live it and walk it out.

In 2020, I want to strive with God’s help not to just preach and teach it – I want to live out the truth consistently and carefully. Sometimes we treat the Scripture as something we can pick and choose like ordering from a menu.

We all know that this is not how it works. Right? Be honest.

And we also know that when we are not practicing what we preach, it gets really uncomfortable inside when a preacher is touching on that area where we are not living carefully or consistently.

You’ve had those times, right?

How did he know?

Why is he picking on me?

I feel like there is a spotlight shining just on me.

Those are the moment when I believe the Holy Spirit is tugging at our hearts and wants us to get back on track. Those are divine appointments when we need to bow the knee and say, as David did in verse 8, “I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me!”

We are watching the political mess all around us. Our leaders are saying one thing and doing another. Eventually, it comes back to bite us. That is why I believe that King David wrote, “Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands.”

Wow!!! There is so much to think about just in these eight short verses. I encourage you to dig a little deeper and share with me what God is teaching you.

Guess what? As of today, there are only ten shopping days until Christmas.

 

Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his childhood sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 11 amazing grandkids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

 


Think About This: “If the baby in the manger is the Way, the Truth and the Life, then there is no other way, no other truth and no other means to life, both here and forever.” Paul David Tripp

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.

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