Walk in the Way of the Word

If you’ve ever driven on the turnpike across Pennsylvania then you have driven through the Allegheny Mountains. You’ve admired their constant beauty, no matter the time of day. Whether the morning fog is lifting, the sun is shining, or dark clouds are rolling, the mountains are a wonder to behold. Psalm 119 is like that. It is a mountain of breathtaking beauty. As the largest portion of Scripture that exalts Scripture itself, it is a wonder to behold. And whether the sun is shining in your life, or the dark clouds are rolling, you will be amazed by its beauty and strength.

The subject of Psalm 119 is the Word of God. All except four of its 176 verses (90, 121, 122, and 132) mention the Word of God by using one or more of the following titles:

  • law
  • testimony
  • judgments
  • statutes
  • commandments
  • precepts
  • word
  • ordinances
  • ways

The psalm has 22 stanzas—one for each letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza has 8 lines or verses. The first 8 lines begin with the first letter of the alphabet, the second 8 with the second letter, etc. Today, meditate on the first eight verses.

Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
    who walk in the law of the Lord!
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
    who seek him with their whole heart,
who also do no wrong,
    but walk in his ways!
You have commanded your precepts
    to be kept diligently.
Oh that my ways may be steadfast
    in keeping your statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame,
    having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
I will praise you with an upright heart,
    when I learn your righteous rules.
I will keep your statutes;
    do not utterly forsake me!

These 8 verses lift up the immeasurable blessing of walking in the way of the Word. Notice the repetition of three key words:

  • “way” = the course of life
  • “walk” = the way you act, your behavior throughout the course of life
  • “keep” = determination, heart’s devotion

We are all prone to wander. We can stray off of God’s good path. We can adopt bad attitudes, or fall prey to being controlled by our emotions. Therefore, to live the blessed life means we must constantly look to the True North, as revealed in Scripture, and making whatever adjustments are necessary to get back on track. In order to be sure the Word of God is governing the course of your life, there are four ways you must discipline yourself.

  • Sanctify your actions by aligning them to God’s instruction (v. 1).
  • Set your affections on God’s way instead of the path of sin (vv. 2-3).
  • Scrutinize your priorities so that spiritual disciplines are not neglected (vv. 4-6).
  • Satisfy your heart with worship and obedience (vv. 7-8).

[Watch, or listen to, the sermon Walk in the Way of the Word.]

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