The Word Centred Life (Beth)
How can a believer live a God-honouring life in the midst of an impure and evil world. The answer is to this question is found here in Psalm 119:9-16. The psalmist asks the same question (albeit rhetorically), “How can a young man keep his way pure?” The answer...”by living according to God’s word.”
A holy life, pleasing to God, comes from a word centred life (9). To “keep” ones way is to protect or safeguard your life from sin and impurity by directly applying the word of God to all the activities of your life. Guarding your life means directing your heart towards God and seeking to make His will central in everything you do. Without the Scriptures being central to our lives our hearts will wander away from God (10). The key is a renewed mind, memorising Scripture and recalling God’s word at all times. This is storing up (treasuring) God’s word in your heart. It is preserved there for appropriate use in the battle against temptation and sin (11)
A humble attitude towards God is the key in gaining God’s wisdom. The Holy Spirit teaches is the one who teaches believers His statutes (12). A holy walk comes from a sanctified mind, fixed on the Scriptures (13). Desire for knowledge of God comes from a love of God. Since God is his delight, His word is loved by the psalmist more than the riches of the earth (14).
The psalmist declares to the Lord that he will find his happiness in the Scriptures (15). He then declares that he will not forget them. He is determined to live out God’s commandments. Brethren, treasure God’s word more than anything else, live by it, and you will live a life honouring God.