April 17, 2002

Reading: Psalm 119: 9-16

 

“Your word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (11)

 

Dear Lord, I thank You, as I look back on this day, I have not sinned in word, thought or action. I have no sins to confess, nor do I have to ask for Your cleansing!” We all realize, if this were true, our very prayer would ruin our day. I have yet to meet the person who can honestly pray this prayer – I know I can’t. Yet, at the same time, it should be our daily desire and pursuit. Our longing is to “know Him, and the power of His resurrection.”

The second stanza of Psalm 119 speaks of this matter as David, a young man at the time of writing these words, yearns to live a life pleasing to God. He presents us with nine activities that will help us to “walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.”

Obey the rules of God’s word (9)

Seek God with all your heart (10)

Commit the word of God to memory (11)

Submit to God’s teaching (12)

Testify concerning the word of God to others (13)

Rejoice in the word of God (14)

Meditate on the word of God (15)

Remember the word of God (16)

Delight in the word of God (16).

 

Every day the Christian has a decision to make, “Whom do I serve today?” In reality, this decision has to be made frequently throughout the day. Just prior to his death, Joshua addressed the nation of Israel, and said, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” Josh 24:15. The Israelites were already God’s chosen people, but were faced every day with the question, “Whom will you serve?” Just because we are a Christian, does not automatically mean we will serve the Lord. We do not automatically choose to do the right thing. We are faced with the choice of serving God or sin. Paul wrote, “Do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God” Rom 6:12-13. The KJV uses the word “yield” instead of “present.” It is a matter of choice – do we serve God or sin? Do we yield ourselves to God or sin?

If we choose to serve God and yield ourselves to Him, the activities listed in Psalm 119 are the rules we must follow. Deciding to serve God does not get the job done. We must be active participants. We are called upon to “fight the good fight” and “run the race,” etc. Psalm 119 tells us how to do it.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

“Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me” Ps 119: 133.

Paul continues in Romans 6: 14, “For sin shall not have dominion over you.” This is not a mechanical condition because we are born again believers. It is, however, our entitlement and inheritance as children of God.

“I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me.

I cling to Your testimonies; O LORD, do not put me to shame!

I will run the course of Your commandments, for You shall enlarge my heart” Ps 119:30-32. By so doing, “Sin shall not have dominion over you.”