August 28, 2021 -- Psalm 119:9-16 -- Directed by the Word
/How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes!
With my lips I declare
all the rules of your mouth.
In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
Psalm 119:9-16 ESV
This is the second octet (verse verse stanza) of Psalm 119. It asks, and answers, the question: how can a young man (any person really, but a young man is setting the course for his whole life) keep his way pure. The young struggle with sexual sins because their bodies are changing from youth to adulthood and hormones are surging. The young struggle with many life choices. I have read that our brains are not fully formed until we are about 26 years old, meaning decision-making is more challenging for the young and habits inculcated in one’s youth will form hardened habits—either for good or patterns of sinfulness that will require a life-time to fight. Notice how the "I will" statements of the last two verses. These are a vow, making a commitment to the King of Glory.
The Psalmist notes the word of God is the gold standard of our lives. By it we guard our lives, by the the word we determine whether or not to pursue an action.
Memorization of the word is another key component to a life kept pure for Jesus Christ. When a situation arises that tests our faithfulness to God, the Spirit takes the sword, the Word of God, and divides truth from lies, holiness from hellishness.
Look over those verses again. What are two or more ways in which the psalm writer has answered his own question—how can a young man keep his way pure? Write these out. Let the word of God be used by the Spirit to direct your living in holy obedience to Jesus Christ.
You are blessed, O LORD of heaven and earth. All Your ways are right and all Your instruction pure and lovely. Spirit of the Living God, as I continue to study the Bible, may the wonderous knowledge of Who Jesus Is and the matchless gift of His sacrificial love be made ever more clear to my heart and mind. Spirit of God, by Your presence in me, and your work in me, help me to love Jesus more truly and guard my life for His glory to the praise and honour of the Father in heaven. Amen.
https://youtu.be/S7AYnyPRgOg
