Salmos 119
John Phillips · Citado em PreceptAustin
Salmos 119
Phillips - Halfhearted commitment, in my opinion, was the problem with American involvement in Vietnam. The United States had no commitment to win, only a halfhearted response to a treaty obligation. American failure there led to subsequent massacres by the communists throughout Southeast Asia. America did not have total commitment; the nation was divided. Troops were sent to Vietnam to fight a war while millions demonstrated, protested, and some even burned the American flag. It was a sure recipe for ruin. Anyone who tries to keep God's Word halfheartedly will fail. God calls for total commitment. Yet it is the wholehearted among us who disturb us most. The apostle Pauls, the D. L. Moodys, the Patrick Henrys. A documentary film which is the prelude to a tour of Williamsburg, Virginia, gives us exceptional insight into Patrick Henry. This revolutionary hero began by demanding that colonists have the same rights as Englishmen. Patrick Henry was a born lawyer. In six weeks with only a stack of books he taught himself enough Virginia law to force the examiners to sign his application for the bar. In three years he tried over a thousand cases, most of which he won. When the British imposed the Stamp Act of 1765 on the colonies, to make them help pay for the soldiers who guarded their Indian frontiers, Patrick Henry exploded. He saw it as a violation of the Magna Charta. When things finally came to a head he lifted his voice in Richmond: "Gentlemen may cry 'Peace, peace,'" he said, "but there is no peace. Is life so dear, or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains...? As for me, give me liberty or give me death." Patrick Henry seemed a dangerous man to many. But he was a real driving force behind the American Revolution. Charles Bridges - 10. With my whole heart have I sought thee; O let me not wander from thy commandments Attention to the word, however important,4 can never be practically effective without earnest prayer. Indeed this is a character of the Lord’s people—“a generation of seekers,”5 and yet how much do we lose of the comfort of our religion, and obscure the glory of our profession, by neglecting to bring “our whole heart” to this work! When sin is vigorous, and our spiritual affections are dull, and various hindrances combine in prayer; at this crisis strong faith is needed to overcome and to persevere. But here the soul too commonly yields to the difficulty, and contents itself either with heartless complainings, or with just sufficient exertion to quiet the voice of conscience, and produce a delusive peace within. But the Lord will not be found thus. His promise is not to such seekers as these; and if we are satisfied with this state, we must look for a very scanty measure of spiritual success, accompanied with the total absence of spiritual enjoyment. In a far different spirit David could appeal—“With my whole heart have I sought thee.” And this assurance, instead of procuring self-confidence, will so far as it is genuine, invariably show itself in a prayerful acknowledgment of our weakness—“O let me not wander from thy commandments.” Yet the feeblest desire and attempt to seek the Lord, is the Spirit’s rising beam in the heart, a “day of small things” not to be “despised.”6 It is distinguished from every other principle by the simplicity of its object—“This one thing I do.” “One thing have I desired of the Lord; that will I seek after.”7 My God! my Saviour! “with my whole heart have I sought thee.” The desire of my soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early.”8 When the soul is thus conscious of “following the Lord fully,” there is a peculiar dread of wandering. In a careless or halfhearted state, wanderings are not watched, so long as they do not lead to any open declensions. Secret prayer will be hurried over, worldly thoughts unresisted, waste of time in frivolous pursuits indulged, without much concern. Not so, when the heart is fully in pursuit of its object. There is a carefulness, lest wandering thoughts should become habitual. There is a resistance of the first step, that might lead into a devious path. The soul remembers the “wormwood and the gall,”9 “the roaring lion,” and the devouring wolf; and in the recollection of the misery of its former wandering, dreads any departure from the Shepherd’s fold. This blessed state of mind the flock of Christ should cherish with godly jealousy. Yet let it be remembered, that daily progress in the heavenly walk is not maintained by yesterday’s grace. Humble and dependent prayer must fetch in a fresh supply continually—“O let me not wander from thy commandments.” ‘Lord, I feel my heart so prone to wander. My affections are often scattered to the ends of the earth. “Unite my heart to fear thy name.”1 Concentrate every thought, every desire, in thyself, as the one object of attraction.’ 4 Ps 119:9. 5 Psalm 24:6. 6 Zech. 4:10. 7 Phil. 3:13. Psalm 27:4. 8 Isa. 26:8, 9. 9 Lam. 3:19. 1 Psalm 86:11. Psalm 119:11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. Your word Ps 119:97 1:2 37:31 40:8 Job 22:22 Pr 2:1,10,11 Isa 51:7 Jer 15:16 Lu 2:19,51 Col 3:16 Ps 119:9,11 THE BEST THING IN THE BEST PLACE FOR THE BEST PURPOSE Your word I have treasured in my heart - Have you ever had weeds grow up in your garden and choke out the other plants? That's what sin in our heart does to the fruit of the Spirit in a believer's life -- it chokes out our "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Gal 5:22-23+) So how do we get rid of weeds in our garden? We plant flowers that will choke out the weeds! Yes, this dynamic is real and effective. Applying this physical principle to our spiritual life, we can "plant" flowers of God's Word in our heart, which the Spirit (our "Resident Gardiner") can use to choke out the weeds of sin that sprout up daily, often suddenly catching us by surprise! In the 1800's a Scottish pastor Thomas Chalmers preached a sermon entitled "The Expulsive Power of a New Affection" in which he said The best way to disengage an impure desire is to engage a pure one; the best way to expel the love of what is evil is to embrace the love of what is good instead. To be specific, we must replace the object of our sinful affection with an infinitely more worthy one—God himself. In this way we do not move from a full heart into a vacuum. Instead we move from a full heart to a heart bursting with fullness. And the expulsive power of our new affection weakens and even destroys the power of sin in our hearts. Related Resource: Expulsive Power of a New Affection - in depth discussion and classic sermon by Thomas Chalmers As a medical doctor expulsion recalls the effect of the hormone oxytocin which causes expulsion of milk from the lactating mammary gland. In other words, the milk is forced out by the powerful expulsive effect of the hormone. While it is close, that is not exactly what the concept refers to spiritually, because the idea is more of something replacing something else and that which is replaced is forced out. An good synonym for this kind of expulsion would be displacement which describes the moving of something from its place or position and implies the filling of a place once occupied by something lost, destroyed, or no longer usable or adequate. Spiritually speaking a negative or sinful affection is moved from its place of enthronement on our hearts. The affection that dethrones the negative affection then ascends to the throne of the heart and from there exercises control of one's mind, emotions and will. Sounds so simple doesn't it? (Expulsive Power of a New Affection) Treasured (concealed, hidden, stored) (06845)(tsapan/sapan) means primarily to hide, to keep secret, to conceal something often of great value with a definite purpose (for protection or for sinister purposes). Definitions of English verb To Treasure (Where applicable try "inserting" these different definitions in place of treasured) Jealously safeguard something considered precious. Esteem - set a high value on, regard highly and prize accordingly. Cherish (hold dear, feel or show affection for, entertain something in one's mind deeply and resolutely - eg, he still cherishes that memory; Keep or cultivate with care and affection). Prize highly as valuable, rare or costly! The Septuagint translates treasured with the verb krupto to cover, to hide, to conceal, to keep secret (either protectively or for selfish reasons). To keep something from being seen, but in the case of God's Word it is for the purpose of keeping in a place where it will be seen with the eyes of our heart! This same verb tsapan (and krupto ) is used in Job's declaration "I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured (tsapan; krupto) the words of His mouth more than my necessary food." (Job 23:12 - see the Secret of Job's Perseverance) What value did Job place on God's Word? In a sense, he is saying he would rather starve physically than starve spiritually! Note also the important principle -- first Job did not commit sin for had he done so it would have negatively impacted his appetite and desire for the pure word which is holy. Unconfessed (unholy) sin and God's holy Word are not mutually compatible! Job's holy walk enabled a desire to treasure God's Word. We see this same principle in Ps 1:1+ (the negative) and Ps 1:2-3+ (the positive), where participating in the deeds of verse 1 will choke our desire for God's Word. And again in 1 Peter 2:1+ we see the things we need to put off or confess in order that we might have a healthy appetite and like newborn babes long for the pure milk of the word that by it we might grow in respect to salvation. (1 Pe 2:2+). If your spiritual growth is stunted, perhaps you need to check 1 Peter 2:1+ or Psalm 1:1+ and confess and repent of any known sins so that you will desire the Word. Another doctor Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones describes how believers are to put on the new self and put off the old self as Paul alludes to in (Eph 4:22-24+). He writes "Indeed, as I have already said, you cannot truly deal with the negative unless you are at the same time doing the positive. The way to get rid of the defects is to cultivate the virtues. To use a well-known phrase of Thomas Chalmers (see his sermon), what we need is to apply the “The Expulsive Power of a New Affection”. I use a simple illustration. The way the dead leaves of winter are removed from some trees is not that people go around plucking them off; no, it is the new life, the shoot that comes and pushes off the dead in order to make room for itself. In the same way the Christian gets rid of all such things as bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking and all malice. The new qualities develop and the others simply have no room; they are pushed out and they are pushed off. In the Septuagint, krupto is in the active voice which means the psalmist has made a conscious choice of his will to conceal the Word safely in His heart. What the Doctor is saying is that to deal with the negative, you need to first accentuate the positive. Take special note of the order - the new needs to be put on in order to effect displacement or expulsion of the old. We see this order in several of Paul's epistles. For example, in Colossians 3, note that we first "put on" the positive attitudes in Colossians 3:1-5+ before Paul tells us to "put off" the old, or more directly to kill the sins in Colossians 3:5. The new affection in Colossians 3:1-5 enables us to expel the old affections (and actions) in Colossians 3:5+. Similarly, notice the critical order in Galatians 5:16+ , where Paul first commands us to walk by the spirit (the "new affections") and then and only then will you be enabled to not carry out the deeds of the flesh! In other words, the new affection in effect expels the old affection or old desires that come from our fallen flesh! Our fallen flesh tries to invert the order of Paul's Command by saying something like "I will walk by the Spirit by getting rid of this fleshly desire or that fleshly act." Can you see the subtle trap this individual has just fallen into? He (or she) has just fallen prey to legalism saying things like "I'll make a list of things I won't do, etc" That person has just placed themselves under the power of the Law and instead of expelling the fleshly desires, legalism actually stirs up the very desires the person sought to expel, displace or cast off! (See discussion of the effect of the law to actually arouse our sin nature.) Let me give you one of Paul's passages that teaches this principle in Ephesians 5 writing that "immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks." (Eph 5:3-4+) Do you see the "flowers" we need to plant in order to root out tenacious weeds of immorality, impurity, greed (which equates with idolatry)? What is Paul's solution? What is the new affection that exerts an expulsive effect on those difficult to pull out weeds? Clearly it is an attitude of gratitude, an attitude of giving thanks. But that is not something our fallen flesh naturally gravitates toward. Even the attitude of gratitude is a fruit of being filled with the Spirit as Paul writes in Eph 5:18-19, 20+. So let us begin each day with a confession of sins that we might not quench or grieve (1 Th 5:19+, Eph 4:30+) the Spirit but that we would empty ourselves of sin and open ourselves to the Spirit's filling and control in our hearts. Than we be enabled to be "always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father." (Eph 5:20+). Let us read... Scripture every day And meditate on what God said To fight temptation from the world And live a life that's Spirit led (see note) --Sper
Salmos 119
Phillips - A Cleansing Effect (119:9) "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word." Think what a school playground was like in your day. Think of the passionate hatreds that could generate in a flash, of the fist-fights that broke out. Think of the cursing and swearing, the common language of the crowd. Think of the dirty jokes that were the password to popularity. Think how deeply some of those smutty stories have become embedded in your memory, still unerasable. Think of the obsession with sex, the vile things said and done with a snicker or sneer. Think of the lying and cheating, the smoking and drinking. Think of the peer pressure to conform, the pettiness and jealousy. As I recall such things, it seems as if our school playground was a suburb of hell for youthful wickedness. Yet in those days strict discipline was maintained on campus. We could be expelled for cheating or smoking, forfeiting the right to further education in that school. Schools are much worse now, with far more permissiveness and lack of discipline-to say nothing of the problems of drug use and alcoholism. How can a young person stay clean in such an environment? The psalmist has the answer. The Word of God kept me from many a sin when I was young, even though I did not take an aggressive stand for Christ. Whenever I reflect on the sins of my youth in the presence of God, I blush for some of the things I said and did and to think what a poor testimony I was. Yet at the same time I was kept from many harmful things by the Word of God. It had a cleansing effect on my life. I shall praise the Lord one of these days, in His presence, when He shows me the full story of God's Word keeping me in a clean path when I might have wallowed in filth. Young people who want to honor Christ at school should begin every day with a verse or two of Scripture and prayer: Keep me true, Lord Jesus, keep me true. There's a race that I must run, There are victories to be won, Give me power, every hour, to be true. Hidden Away Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. — Psalm 119:11 Today's Scripture: Psalm 119:9-16 By the time I was born, my great- grandfather, Abram Z. Hess, had already lost his sight. He was known for the beautiful wooden objects he had carved on a lathe—and also as someone who could quote many verses of Scripture. He and his friend Eli would often share Scripture verses back and forth. A bit of a competitive spirit resulted in their admission that Eli could cite more references while my grandfather could recite more verses. Today, the family often remembers Abram as “Blind Grandpa.” His practice of memorizing Scripture became a lifeline for him when he lost his physical sight. But why is it important that we memorize the Word of God? Psalm 119 gives us instruction on how to follow God by hiding His Word in our hearts. First, in this way, we arm ourselves when temptation comes (v.11; Eph. 6:17). Then, as we meditate on His Word, we come to know Him better. Finally, when we have His words etched in our minds, we are better able to hear His voice when He instructs and guides us. We use those phrases of Scripture as we talk with Him, worship Him, and teach or witness to others (Col. 3:16). Lord, Your Word is a treasure—priceless and beyond compare. I’m not the best at memorizing but I do want Your words to saturate my mind and heart. Please use Your Word in obvious ways in my life today. When God’s Word is hidden in our heart, His ways will become our ways. USE THE "STRAIGHT RULER" Thy word have I hidden in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11 The new morality really isn't new. When you analyze it, you discover at its core the old immorality! It stems from man's de-sire to cast off the restraints which absolute moral standards place upon his conduct. One who doubts God's Word and follows instead the dictates of his own reason invites trouble. Mother Eve took this ill-considered course and lost true righteousness. In like manner, the new morality as well as the old immorality are both deviations from the true morality. The importance of following the unchanging and perfect guide-lines established by God Himself can be seen in the following story: "The Bible is too strict and old-fashioned," said a young man to a gray-haired friend who had been advising him to study God's Word if he would learn how to live. "There are plenty of books written today that are moral enough in their teaching which don't bind me down as the Scriptures do." Without saying a word, the old merchant turned to his desk and picked up a couple of rulers, one of which was slightly bent. With each of these, he drew a line and silently handed the paper to his young friend. "Well," said the lad, "what are you trying to say?" "Just this," he replied, "notice that one line is straight; the other is crooked. When you mark your path in life, be sure to use the straight ruler!" Thy Word is a lamp to my feet, A light to my path alway, To guide and to save me from sin, And show me the heavenly way. — E.O.S. The Bible will keep you from sin — or sin will keep you from the Bible! Psalm 119:12 Blessed are You, O LORD; Teach me Your statutes. Blessed 1Ti 1:11 6:15 teach Ps 119:26,27,33,64,66,68,71,72,108,124, 25:4,5 86:11 143:10 Lu 24:45 Joh 14:26 1Jn 2:27 Blessed are You, O LORD; Teach me Your statutes - A great prayer. Charles Bridges - 12. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes “Praise is comely for the upright.”1 It is at once their duty and their privilege. But what does its highest exercise amount to, when placed on the ground of its own merit? We clothe our ideas with magnificence of language, and deck them out with all the richness of imagery; and perhaps we are pleased with our forms of praise. But what are they in his sight beyond the offering of a contemptible worm, spreading before its Maker its own mean and low notions of Divine Majesty? If a worm were to raise its head, and cry—‘O sun! thou art the source of light and heat to a widely-extended universe’—it would, in fact, render a higher praise to the sun, than we can ever give to our Maker. Between it and us there is some proportion—between us and God none. Yet, unworthy as the offering confessedly is, he will not despise it. Nay, more,—instead of spurning it from his presence, he has revealed himself as “inhabiting the praises of Israel,”2—intimating to us, that the service of praise is “set forth in his sight as incense;” and at the same time, that it should be the daily unceasing exercise of one at his own home. The true character of praise, however, depends entirely upon the state of the heart. In the contemplative philosopher it is only cheering barren admiration: in the believer it becomes a principle of comfort and encouragement. For, can he forget “the revelation” which his God has given of himself in the gospel of his dear Son; how it divests every attribute of its terrors, and shines before us in all the glory of his faithfulness and love? The ascription of praise—“Blessed art thou, O Lord”—frames itself therefore into the prophet’s song—“Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage! He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.”3 Truly then he is “blessed” in himself, and delights to communicate his blessedness to his people. Hence we are emboldened to ask for continual “teaching in his statutes”4—in the truths which he has revealed, and the precepts which he has enjoined! that we may “be followers of him, as dear children,” and “walk with him in love.”5 The practical influence, however, of Divine light constitutes its peculiar privilege. Man’s teaching puffeth up—God’s teaching humbleth. Man’s teaching may lead us into error as well as into truth—God’s teaching is “the unction from the Holy One, by which we know all things.”6 Man’s teaching may make us more learned—God’s teaching makes us more holy. It persuades, while it enlightens. It draws the heart, inclines the will, and carries out the soul to Christ.7 The tried character of God encourages us to look for his teaching—“Good and upright is the Lord; therefore will he teach sinners in the way.”8 Our warrant is especially confirmed in approaching him as our covenant God—“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me; for thou art the God of my salvation. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God.1 Reader! do you desire to praise your God? Then learn to frequent the new and living way, “by which alone you can offer your sacrifice acceptably.”2 And while engaged in this holy service, inquire, surrounded as you are with the means of instruction, what progress you are making in his statutes. Seek to have a deeper acquaintance with the character of God. Seek to be the vessels of honor and glory, into which he is pouring more and more continually, “until they be filled with all the fulness of God.”3 Value the unspeakable blessing of Divine teaching, by which you learn to live the life, and begin the blessedness of God. 1 Psalm 33:1, 2. 2 Psalm 22:3. 3 Micah 7:18. 4 The same acknowledgment and plea are made in verses 64, 68. 5 Eph. 5:1, 2. 6 1 John 2:20. 7 John 6:44, 45. 8 Ps. 25:8. 1 Ps. 143:10. 2 Heb. 10:20, 13:15. 1 Pet. 2:5. 3 Eph. 3:19. For Young And Old Read: Psalm 119:9-16 Blessed are You, O Lord. —Psalm 119:12 Kerri’s grandpa was having health problems and hadn’t been himself lately. To cheer him up, Kerri visited him to recite a Bible passage she had memorized for a speech contest. Grandpa knew that she had won, so he wanted to reward her. Opening his Bible to his favorite passage, he hid some money there. When Kerri arrived, she recited her winning entry, Psalm 119:9-16. Then Grandpa gave Kerri the Bible, and she opened it to find the hidden gift—located at Psalm 119. They had both chosen the same passage! For Kerri and her grandpa, God’s direction led them to a portion of Scripture of vital importance for both young and old. It details how to stay pure in a world of impurity (Ps. 119:9)—something all young people need to do. It explains the importance of hiding God’s Word in our hearts (v.11)—something many older believers depend on as life becomes more difficult. The verses also remind us to praise God, value His standards, meditate on Scripture, and delight in His teachings (vv.13-16). Thank You for Your holy Book To guide me day by day; I cherish every promise That helps me on my way. —Lyle God's Word is timeless—it speaks to every generation. Psalm 119:13 With my lips I have told of All the ordinances of Your mouth. I declared Ps 119:46,172 34:11 37:30 40:9,10 71:15-18 118:17 Mt 10:27 12:34 Ac 4:20 Charles Bridges - 13. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth We have seen the word hid in the heart; now we see it poured forth from the lips. The Lord has taught us his statutes; now we declare these judgments of his mouth; but who can declare them with unction and power, save those who are taught of God? Now we are introduced to the high and honorable privilege of becoming a witness for our Saviour!4 Our opportunities of service are our talents, and we trade with a large increase; for “to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance.”5 But—“our lips are our own,”6—is the proud language of the world. Blessed be God; “we know that we are not our own.”7 Mostgladly do we acknowledge, that he, who fashioned our lips, has the best claim to their service. And when he has added to the claim of creation the right of purchase,8 what further constraining can we need, to induce the consecration of all that we are, and all that we have, to his glory! This is a family obligation—To declare the judgments of God’s mouth. Thus did Abraham obtain a blessing for his children.9 Heavenly blessings are the gracious reward of thus honoring our God.10 This also is the material of our general intercourse—fruitful in spiritual results. Thus did Andrew bring Peter,11 and the woman of Samaria, her neighbors,12 to Jesus. What might we not do for our fellow sinners, if our intercourse with them was the overflowing of a heart filled with love; guided by a single desire to glorify our Saviour, and to edify his church! Fearful indeed is the guilt of sinful silence; and those, who thus prove their unfaithfulness to God, may well tremble at his awful denunciations. And yet it is possible to be bold in speech for God, when in the closet, the family, or the world, our consciences justly convict us of insincerity.—“Thou that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?”1 Let us seek therefore to have our hearts “filled with the Spirit;”2 else our “talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.”3 This subject illustrates the character of the Lord’s people—“The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment;”4 their resolution—“My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof;”5 their prayer—“O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise;”6 their blessing—“The lips of the righteous feed many. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life.”7 The example of the Saviour, here as everywhere, is our perfect and encouraging pattern: “I have preached righteousness in the great congregation; lo! I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest.”8 In this spirit of their Master, the Apostles awed their persecutors into forbearance—“We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”9 How sinful is it to employ our lips for any but the Lord! Yet not less sinful is our reluctance to employ them for him! Surely the day—when perhaps we have been fluent in worldly conversation, and yet have neglected our opportunities for speaking a word for him, must be considered a lost day! Is there not much cause for watchfulness, prayer, and self-denial; lest our silence should deny him, whom by every obligation we are bound to confess? If our inability to bear a testimony for our Lord is not painful to us,10 must we not suspect, if not the sincerity, at least the strength of our attachment to his precious name? and we can do no better than retire into our closets with the prayer of contrition—“Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord.”11 4 Phil. 2:16. 5 Matt. 25:29. 6 Psalm 12:4. 7 1 Cor. 6:19. 8 1Co 6:20. 9 Gen. 18:19. 10 Deut. 11:18–21. 11 John 1:40–42. 12 Jn. 4:29, 30. 1 Romans 2:21. 2 Eph. 5:18, 19. 3 Prov. 14:23, with 10:19. 4 Ps. 37:30. 5 Ps. 71:15. 6 Ps. 51:15. 7 Prov. 10:21, 15:4. 8 Ps. 40:9, 10, with Luke 4:16–22. 9 Acts 4:20. 10 Compare Psalm 39:1, 2. Jer. 20:9. 11 Psalm. 143:2. Psalm 119:14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. rejoiced Ps 119:47,72,77,111,127,162 19:9,10 112:1 Job 23:12 Jer 15:16 Mt 13:44 Ac 2:41-47 Charles Bridges - 14. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches How natural is it to be speaking of that which is our delight! The man of God was always declaring the Lord’s judgments, because they were his rejoicing. There is indeed a real joy in despising earthly joys. “How sweet,” said Augustine, refering to the period of his conversion, “was it in a moment to be free from those delightful vanities, to lose which had been my dread; to part with which was now my joy!”12 More satisfying is the believer’s rejoicing in the way of God, than that of the miser in his untold riches.13 Here he may safely say to his soul—“Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease.” And these are the only riches within the reach of all. If we are poor in this world, it is the Lord’s providence. If we are poor in grace it is our own fault. It is because we have despised our Lord’s counsel to buy of him, “gold tried in the fire, that we may be rich.”1 And what is this enriching portion?—“Things present and things to come:”2 something enjoyed, and much more expected: the mercies of eternity added to the blessings of time; the riches of both worlds—all assured to him by the covenant of grace “in the way of the Lord’s testimonies.” Is it not then most strange, that with such treasure in possession and in prospect, the child of God should be so careless in increasing his store, and in confirming his own interest in it? But the riches of God’s testimonies have this peculiar property, that they cease to rejoice the heart, when they are not uppermost there. Have there not been times, when we have actually rejoiced in the accession of some worldly good, or the accomplishment of some worldly desire, more than in this heavenly treasure? What then do we count our riches? To thrive in grace, or in the world? to be rich towards God, or for our own indulgence? But though we would rejoice in the testimonies, and would not, for all this world can afford, lose a verse or letter of our Bibles, yet we cannot be satisfied with a general interest. Many texts—doctrinal, practical, or experimental—have been specially sealed by the Divine Spirit upon our hearts.3 This or that promise—yea, all the land of promise, as much as I can set my foot upon—is mine. Of these precious testimonies, shall we not increase our little stock, until we have apprehended the full enjoyment of the whole; if indeed the fulness of that which is called “unsearchable”4 can ever be, in this life at least, completely enjoyed? But it is not so much in the Lord’s testimonies, as “in the way of them,” that David rejoiced—the way to God, of which they testify5—“the way of holiness,”6 in which they lead—the narrow way of the cross—so contrary to our natural desires and inclinations, that none but the true sheep of Christ can ever enter, or continue in it. Who that walks in these ways will fail to find them, in duties no less than in privileges, “paths of pleasantness and peace?” Our happiness is not withered, but flourishing. “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.”7 12 “Quas amittere metus erat, jam dimittere gaudium fuit.”—Aug. Confess. Book ix. Never man in his unregenerate state, by his own confession, more strongly illustrated the truth of our Lord’s declaration—“Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” (John 8:34, with 2 Peter 2:19.) He describes himself actually as “wallowing in the mire,” with as much delight as if he were rolling himself in a bed of spices, or perfuming himself with the most precious ointment. (“Volutare in cæno, tanquam cinnamonis et unguentis pretiosis.”) Yet when the word pierced his heart, and brought a new bias and taste into his soul, how delightfully is his language changed in the recollection of his past “excess of riot!” “Quam sauve est istis suavitatibus carere!” 13 Ps 119:72, 127. 1 Rev. 3:18. 2 1 Cor. 3:22. 3 “This is my Scripture,” Origen used to say of such texts. 4 Eph. 3:18. 5 John 14:6, with 5:39. 6 Isaiah 35:8. 7 Jer. 6:16. Psalm 119:15 I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways. meditate Ps 119:23,48,78,97,131,148 1:2 Jas 1:25 have respect Ps 119:6,117 Charles Bridges - 15. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways Our rejoicing in the testimonies of God will naturally flow in an habitual meditation in them.8 The thoughts follow the affections. They are no burden to the carnal man, so far as his heart is in them. But having no spiritual taste, he has no ability for spiritual meditation. Indeed many sincere Christians, through remaining weakness and depravity, are too often reluctant to it. They are content with indolent reading: and, with scarcely a struggle or a trial, yield themselves up to the persuasion, that they are unable sufficiently to abstract their minds for this blessed employment. But let the trial prove the work. Perseverance will accomplish the victory over mental instability, and the spiritual difficulty will give way to prayer—“Lord, help me.” The fruitfulness of this employment will soon be manifest. Does it not “stir up the gift of God that is in us,”1 and keep the energies of the heart in a wakeful posture of conflict and resistance? Besides this, it is the digestive faculty of the soul, which converts the word into real and proper nourishment: so that this revolving of a single verse in our minds is often better than the mere reading of whole chapters. “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and the rejoicing of my heart.”2 Thus the mind becomes the instrument of faith and love—of joy and strength. But this meditation not only includes the stated times of thought, but the train of holy thoughts, that passes through the mind during the busy hours of the day. This maintains an habitual flow of spiritual desires, and excites the flame of love within, till at length the Psalmist’s resolution becomes the inwrought habit of our minds—“I will meditate in thy precepts.” Can we want a subject for meditation, if indeed the salvation of Jesus has been made known to our souls? While musing upon this glorious theme, does not “the fire burn”3 within, as if our hearts were touched with a live coal from the altar of God? Chide then, believer, thy dull and sluggish spirit, that suffers the precious manna to lie ungathered upon the ground, that is slow to entertain these heavenly thoughts, or rather that heavenly guest whose peculiar office it is to “help our infirmities,”4 and especially to “take of Christ’s, and show it unto us.”5 The exercise, however, of this, as of every other duty, may prove a barren form, that imparts neither pleasure nor profit.6 Let each of us then ask—What distinct experimental benefit have I received from the word? Do I endeavor to read it with prayerful meditation, until I find my heart filled with it? But this communing with the word is not for contemplation, but for practice.7 By meditating on God’s precepts, we learn to have respect unto his ways—carefully “pondering the path of our feet,” that we “turn not aside.”1 Thy loving kindness is before mine eyes; and I have walked in thy truth.”2 “My foot,” saith Job, “hath held his steps; his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; “I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.”3 8 Ps 119:97. Psalm 1:2. 1 2 Tim. 1:6. 2 Jer. 15:16. “Meditation is that exercise of mind, whereby it recalls a known truth, as some kinds of creatures do their food, to be ruminated upon, until the nutritious parts are extracted, and fitted for the purposes of life.”—Bishop Horne on this verse. 3 Ps. 39:3, and comp. Ps. 45:1. 4 Rom. 8:26. 5 John 16:14, 15. 6 “If a chapter be read with the eye merely, while the mind remains inattentive, and the book be shut as soon as the chapter is finished, and thus, what has been read immediately escapes the memory; what is there to surprise, if, after the whole Bible has been several times read through, we discover in ourselves no increase of piety and devotion?” Professor Franck. 7 Joshua 1:8. 1 Prov. 4:26, 27. 2 Psalm 26:3. 3 Job 23:11, 12. Psalm 119:16 I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word. delight Ps 119:14,24,35,47,70,77,92 40:8 Ro 7:22 Heb 10:16,17 not forget Ps 119:11,83,93,109,141,176 Pr 3:1 Jas 1:23,24 I shall delight in Your statutes - Delight is that which gives pleasure or satisfaction. It describes that which is pleasing. I shall not forget Your word - And what is the best way not to forget God's Word? Memorizing His Word (see also Memory Verses by Topic and Memorable). Are you? Are you memorizing His Word? Don't make excuses (too old, etc). Don't procrastinate (I'll begin tomorrow). Begin today. Pick a favorite passage. Write it on a card to carry around today. Ask God's Spirit to enable you to meditate on it. You won't regret it. And let this begin a habit. Try memorizing one verse each week, being sure to review the ones already memorized. Psalm 119:165 says "Those who love Your law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble." Psalm 119:130 says "The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple." Psalm 119:89 says "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven." Very few things we do in this short life will endure forever, but God's Word does (Mt 24:35). So begin your adventure today. You will not regret it in eternity! One Amazing Letter I will not forget Your word. —Psalm 119:16 Today's Scripture & Insight: Psalm 119:9-16 Once in a while my wife and I open the mail to find a letter with no words on it. When we take the “letter” out of the envelope, we see a piece of paper with nothing more on it than a colorful mark made with a felt pen. Those “letters” warm our hearts because they’re from our preschool granddaughter Katie, who lives in another state. Even without words, these letters tell us that she loves us and is thinking about us. We all cherish letters from those we love and those who love us. That’s why there is so much encouragement in the fact that our heavenly Father has given us a letter called the Bible. The value of Scripture goes beyond its words of power, challenge, and wisdom. Amid all of the stories, teaching, and guidance this Book provides, the overriding idea is that God loves us and has planned our rescue. It tells us of His love in overseeing our existence (Ps. 139), meeting our needs (Matt. 6:31-34), comforting us (2 Cor. 1:3-4), and saving us through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus (Rom. 1:16-17). Lord, help me to examine the Bible’s pages, understand its truths, and apply its teachings to my life. May I be as excited about Your letter to me as I am about a letter, email, or Facebook posting by a friend. The love of God for us is revealed in His letter to us—the Bible. Charles Bridges - 16. I will delight myself4 in thy statutes; I will not forget thy word As delight quickens to meditation5 so does the practical habit of meditation strengthen the principle of delight. In the enjoyment of this delight the Christian (however small his attainments may be) would rather live and die, than in the pursuit, and even in the possession of the most satisfying pleasures of a vain and empty world. But if it be a real “delight in the Lord’s statutes,” it will be universal—when they probe the secret lurking-places within, and draw out to the full light the hidden indulgences of a heart that is yet “carnal;”6 when they call for the entire crucifixion of every corrupt inclination, and the unreserved surrender of all to the self-denying service of our God. This spirit is very different from the delight of the hypocrite, which is rather “to know,” than to do the “ways of his God:”7 and therefore which is satisfied with outward conformity, with little or no desire to “understand the errors of his heart,” that he might be “cleansed from secret faults.”8 The spring of our obedience will therefore prove its sincerity; and the reality of our love will be manifested by its fruitfulness and active cheerfulness in our appointed sphere of duty. We may also observe here an evidence of adoption, when obedience is not a burden, but a delight. The servant may perform the statutes of God, but it is only the Son who “delights in them.” But what—we may ask—is the spring of adoption? It is “the Spirit of the Son sent into our hearts, whereby we cry ‘Abba, Father.’ ”9 It is because we are at peace with God through Jesus Christ; because the statutes are the message of reconciliation through him, that they become delightful to those who are partakers of this great salvation. The spirit of adoption, therefore, as the principle of delight, is the spring of acceptable obedience in the Lord’s service. And surely those who are serving him in this happy filial walk are not likely to “forget his word.” As the eye is continually turned to the object of its affection, so the eye of the soul, that has been fixed with delight on the ways of God, will be habitually resting upon them. As one of the wise heathens observed—“I never yet heard of a covetous old man, who had forgotten where he had buried his treasure.”10 The reason is abundantly evident. His heart is in it. And this explains the forgetfulness of the ungodly or the formalist. They have no delight in the statutes. And who is not glad to forget what is distasteful? But if we “have tasted that the Lord is gracious”—if we have found a treasure in the way of his testimonies—we cannot forget the sweetness of the experience, or where to go to refresh ourselves with the repetition of it. Forgetfulness of the word is, however, to the Christian, a source of continual complaint, and sometimes also of most distressing temptation. Not that there is always a real charge of guilt upon the conscience. For, as Boston somewhat quaintly observes—“Grace makes a good heart-memory, even where there is no good head-memory.” But means must be used, and helps may be suggested. Watchfulness against the influence of the world is of the first importance. How much of the good seed is choked by the springing thorns!1 If our hearts are ever refreshed with spiritual delight, we should be as cautious of an uncalled-for advance into the world, as of exposing an invalid’s susceptible frame to a damp or unhealthy atmosphere. Whatever warmth had been kindled in spiritual duties, may be chilled by one moment’s unwary rush into an unkindly clime. We must also recommend increasing attention to the word, as the means of its preservation2—the exercise of “faith,” without which it will “not profit”3 the active habit of love, bringing with it a more habitual interest in the statutes4—all accompanied with unceasing prayer for the gift of the Holy Spirit, made the express subject of promise for this purpose.5 Under this heavenly teaching and recollections, what delight will be found in the statutes! what blessed remembrance of his word! And what a happy spirit is their delight and remembrance of the word—the affections glowing—the memory pondering—the presence and manifestation of truth keeping the heart in close communion with God! “O Lord God, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the hearts of thy people and prepare their hearts unto thee.”6 4 “I will solace and recreate myself.”—Ainsworth. A beautiful illustration of the refreshment of the word, when the mind is tired out with the toilsome encumbering cares of the world. 5 Ps 119:14, 15. 6 See Rom. 7:14. 1 Cor. 3:1, 3. 7 Isaiah 58:2. 8 Psalm 19:12. 9 Gal. 4:6. 10 “Nec vero quenquam senum audivi oblitum, quo loco thesaurum obruisset.”—Cicero de Senectute. Compare Matt. 6:21. 1 Matt. 13:22. 2 Heb. 2:1. 3 Ib. 4:2. 4 Verse 15. 5 John 14:26. 6 1 Chron. 29:18. Psalm 119:17 Gimel. Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word. Deal: Ps 119:65,124,132 13:6 116:7 Joh 1:16 2Co 9:7-11 Php 4:19 I may live Ro 8:2-4 Eph 2:4,5,10 Tit 2:11,12 1Jn 2:29 5:3,4 Gimel. Deal bountifully with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word. Warren
Salmos 119
Phillips - His Desire to Live for God (Ps 119:32) "I will run the way of Thy commandments, when Thou shalt enlarge my heart." Sin narrows us. By nature we are chronically addicted to our own ways. God's wants and wishes do not appeal to us at all. Sin has narrowed our hearts so that our circle of desire is circumscribed by self. As for God's vast and eternal interests, we scarcely have a thought for them at all. The psalmist realizes that if ever he is to have an enlarged horizon, he must first have an enlarged heart. God must enlarge his heart. Such things as the prayer meeting, the communion service, the demands of the mission field, the daily quiet time, the meeting place of the people of God, must all be interests God implants in the soul. The psalmist's desire is to live for God. He asks God to enlarge and increase that desire so that he will end up running eagerly in God's ways. Enlarge rāchaḇ <H7337> J D Watson What an important word this is in our time and with some of the prevalent teachings in the church! The Hebrew rāchaḇ (<H7337>) means "to extend, open wide, gain living space or territory." As one authority tells us, "The root often occurs in descriptions of the spaciousness of the land of Canaan (Genesis 26:22) ... It is repeated in reaffirmations of the extent of Israel's promised inheritance both during and after the conquest of Canaan (Exodus 34:24; Deut. 12:20; Isaiah 54:2)." It is also used, however, as do the psalmists, in a figurative sense. Psalm 18:36, for example, pictures giving strength: "Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip" (also 2 Sam. 22:37). Particularly striking is Psalm 119:32: "I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart." While today's ever popular prosperity teachers read such a verse and speak of God "increasing our borders" and making us rich, that is not David's prayer. Yes, used literally, rāchab means the increasing of land and property, but he applies it to something infinitely deeper. He prays, "enlarge my heart," that is, make my heart more spacious. "Heart" is lēḇ (<H3820>), derived from lēḇāḇ (<H3824>, April 13), which refers not only to the physical organ, but figuratively to the whole of the inner person and personality. Why does David pray like that? Why does he ask God to extend, open wide, increase the living space in his inner person? So more of God's Word will fit into it so he might, therefore, be more fit to "run the way of [God's] commandments." As Paul challenges us: "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?" (1 Cor. 9:24), and again in Hebrews 12:1: "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." Oh, that each of us would pray with David, "Lord, make my heart bigger so I can fit more of your Word into it that I might be better equipped to run the race you have laid out for me." James Smith - . I. A Large Heart Required to Live the Christian Life. How can one mount up with a stony heart? And that is the kind of heart we have by nature. II. A Larger Heart Required to Run as well as Mount Up (Ps. 119:32). "I will run in the way of Thy commandments, when Thou shalt enlarge my heart." Unless my heart is enlarged, I shall be unable to obey God perfectly, unable to run in the way—the narrow way III. The Most Active for God are those with Largest Hearts. IV. Larger Heart Result of Reflection. In Ps 90:12, we see that the need of another heart, to make the best of man's short life, is or ought to be, the outcome of reflection on the transitions of life. Preliminaries. Cleansing first (v. 25), then a new hear J J Knapp - The Enlarged Heart Ps 119:32 If we take up the movement of a clock, we find hidden at the heart of that ingenious mechanism a steel spring, that, once wound up, brings the intricate work of small wheels to work and makes the two hands move. We see nothing of that hidden power that controls and regulates the movement of the hands. However, if something goes wrong in the movement of the clock, we do not seek the cause in the two hands that work themselves around the hour plate, but we know full well that it is the inner mechanism that has been corrupted or the spring has broken. Now, it is the same with the believer. He is called to walk in the way of the Lord’s commandments, he may not even swerve from it a hair’s breadth, because whoever transgresses even only in one aspect, is guilty of transgressing the whole law. Often things go wrong. The course lies before us, but the feet don’t want to go. The cause of that poor progress, or also of the standing still, must not be sought in all kinds of outward circumstances; it is hidden inwardly, the regressing walk is a natural consequence of a corruption of the heart hidden in the depth of our being. A God-glorifying walk depends upon the heart, the well-being of the heart. In that heart are the issues of life. From that heart proceed evil considerations. Therefore it is so necessary to look closely, continually, with a never slackening attention at that heart. The psalmist knew it when he sang prayerfully: “I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.”His heart was confined, oppressed, hemmed in. And now he felt it: if that would only be out of the way first and room would be made again inwardly, then the feet would go happily again in the path of the commandments. However, now he also knew: his heart was too deep to reach it himself, the spring inside it with the fine movements of all his inclinations and desires was hidden so deeply in his innermost being, that his human ability failed altogether here. Behold, therefore he turned himself with that corrupted mechanism to the highest Artificer, who was the Creator of it, and he placed it humbly before His countenance, saying: If Thou would enlarge my heart, then will I run. Space inwardly, a reconciled and cleaned conscience, a clear consciousness that all our sins have been forgiven graciously, a comforted soul, who knows that in Christ Jesus God is for us,—behold, that inner enlargement makes our feet steadfast in the way of God’s commandments and makes us to walk spryly upon the path of life that has been revealed unto us. SUMMARY - A believer’s obedience and progress depend not on outward circumstances but on the inward condition of the heart, which only God can cleanse and enlarge so that joyful, steady walking in His commandments becomes possible. Cultivating spirituality of mind’ ‘Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.’ Psalm 119:32 William Wilberforce - Oh, my very dear Samuel, be not satisfied with the name of Christian. But strive to be a Christian ‘in life and in power and in the Holy Ghost.’ I think a solitary walk or ride now and then would afford an excellent opportunity for cultivating spirituality of mind, the grand characteristic of the thriving Christian. REFERENCE: Private Papers of William Wilberforce (1897) Dan Wilt - Run in the Path Today, you will stay on God’s path no matter the distractions that draw you away. Psalm 119 is called the Alpha-Beta, because it is an elegant, finely structured, long song calling the singer into the fullness of intimate life with God. In Ps 119:32, the writer commits himself to running hard on the path of God’s commands because his heart has been set free by them. A bobsled run is a narrow pathway. It seems to deny athletes the freedom to move right or left, to enjoy wide-open spaces and unconstrained travel. But a bobsled is built for one purpose—speed. The narrow, icy path is designed to propel the craft forward with accuracy and increased momentum toward its singular target—the finish line. Sometimes we need wide-open spaces, but sometimes God’s commands propel us, like a defined bobsled run, toward our goal of Christ-likeness. They propel us with momentum and elegant motion. Keep God’s Word close to your heart today. Sing it, speak it, meditate on it, and allow its loving parameters to propel you through today to your goal of becoming like Christ. Prayer: Father, I embrace Your gracious guidance and loving limits as a gift today. I give all my energy to obeying Your call to love, to live joyfully, to keep myself pure in heart and mind, and to serve the unlovable, because I know I am gaining speed and power as Your child on this path. Rod Mattoon - Beloved, running from the Lord will foul up your life. Running from His Word, His will, His way, His work, etc., will create problems for you. Jonah found out this truth the hard way, spending three days in the Whale Motel. He could have avoided all those calamities and complications in his life if he would have obeyed the Lord when he was issued his orders by the Lord. If you are going to run, then run the right direction and the Lord will help you on your path. Psalm 119:32—I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. Isaiah 40:31—But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 1 Corinthians 9:24—Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. Hebrews 12:1—Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Are you running for the Lord? James Smith - An Enlarged Heart and its Effect Liberty is a great blessing — but the enjoyment of evangelical liberty is the greatest blessing. To be freed from the claims of the violated law, to be delivered from the power of guilt on the conscience, to be brought up out of a horrible pit, and have the feet set upon a rock — is an unspeakable privilege! This liberty lies at the root of cheerful obedience, which made the Psalmist say, "I will run the way of your commandments, when you shall enlargemy heart." Psalm 119:32. What a desirable state! What a blessed result! THE PRIVILEGE. "An enlarged heart." Man's heart is naturally contracted by sin, especially by selfishness, which makes man his own idol, and gathers his thoughts and affections around himself, to the neglect of others. But unbelief closes the heart against God, refuses to believe his love, and prevents the enjoyment of his soul-enlarging truth. The love of the world always has a contracting and hardening tendency as well. So that if a man is under the power and guilt of sin; if selfishness, unbelief, and the love of the world rule in him — then he is sure to be narrow, contracted, and unfitted for duty. The enlargement of the heart is of sovereign grace. It flows from the atonement, which is a glorious exhibition of the unselfishness, love, and large-heartedness of God. It is produced by the Holy Spirit, who sheds abroad the love of the Father in it, applies the precious blood of the Son to it, and makes the doctrine of free grace work effectually upon it. Nothing will enlarge the heart like . . .a knowledge of God and his wondrous love; faith in Jesus and his finished work; love to God and his people; joy in God; and the peace of the gospel enjoyed within. Enlargement comes through . . .the word, believed and appropriated; prayer, when the heart is drawn out to, and engaged with God; and the sweet but powerful operations of the Holy Spirit, as the Comforter, and Spirit of adoption. THE PROMISE. "I will run the way of your commandments." God's commands are reasonable and sacred. But men are not willing, generally, to do as God bids them, until grace teaches and constrains them. David says, "I will — if God enlarges my heart." If God will give me love and power — I will do whatever God has commanded. I will do it readily — for I will run. I will do it steadily — I will do it from my heart. I will do it punctually — just as God has commanded. I will do it cheerfully — as one that loves the work, and his employer too. "I will run," this expresses great affection, and joyful perseverance. God's commands — are man's rule; and by these we should carefully and constantly walk. Religion must be voluntary and practical — or it cannot be pleasant to us, or acceptable to God. A large heart is a loving heart — beating with love toward God and man, and glowing with a desire to honor the Savior. A loving heart is an obedient heart — for love always prompts us to please the beloved object, and to do just as he wishes us. The life is — as the heart is. If the heart is selfish and contracted — so will the life be. Man's work — flows from God's work. If God works within — we work without. If he enlarges the heart — the effect is sure to appear in the life. With the church we may say, "You, O Lord, have wrought all our works in us." God's free grace — is the root of man's cheerful obedience! Reader, did you ever experience this enlargement of the heart? If so, you felt as if you must run in the way of God's commandments . . .out of pure love to him, to express your obligation to him, and to glorify his sovereign grace. If you have never had a heart enlarged by the Holy and ever blessed Spirit — then you know nothing of the sweetness of experimental religion; nor do you know what true holiness means. It takes a large heart to hold much of God's grace, and it takes much grace to make poor, dull, heavy creatures like us heartily say, "I will run the way of My commandments!" J C Philpot - When You shall enlarge my heart “I will run the way of Your commandments, when You shall enlarge my heart” (Psalm 119:32). The Word of God is full of precepts, but we are totally unable to perform them in our own strength. We cannot, without divine assistance, perform the precept with a single eye to the glory of God, from heavenly motives, and in a way acceptable to the Lord, without special power from on high. We need an extraordinary power to be put forth in our hearts—a special work of the Spirit upon the conscience—in order to spiritually fulfill, in the slightest degree, the least of God’s commandments. None but the Lord Himself can enlarge the heart of His people. None but the Lord can expand their hearts Godward, and remove that narrowedness and contractedness in divine things which is the plague and burden of a God-fearing soul. When the Lord is absent, when He hides His lovely face, when He does not draw near to visit and bless, the heart contracts in its own narrow compass. But when the Lord is pleased to favor the soul with His own gracious presence, and bring Himself near to the heart, His felt presence opens, enlarges, and expands the soul, so as to receive Him in all His love and grace. True religion centers on the heart—the whole inner person—because genuine conversion begins with love for God, and when the heart is conquered by grace, the entire life follows. God enlarges the heart through sanctifying grace by expanding the understanding through the contemplation of God Himself and by reshaping the will to conform increasingly to His will; as the mind discerns more clearly what God requires and the will becomes more resolved to obey it, enlarged inner capacity naturally results in fuller, freer, and more joyful obedience—hence, an enlarged heart leads to running in the way of God’s commandments. Believers lag not because the path is too hard or the burdens too heavy, but because the heart is too small; true spiritual speed comes from an enlarged heart—renewed by greater light, love, and power from God—which transforms difficult paths, overcomes obstacles and trials, loosens the grip of worldly encumbrances, and breaks the power of besetting sin so that obedience becomes eager, prompt, and joyful. I will run the course of Your commandments, for You shall enlarge my heart. Ps 119:32; Heb 12:1, Ro 5:3 I was intrigued by an article that explained how a trained runner can keep on running. It detailed what happens in the body in a distance race. When the body begins to overheat, sweat glands release liquid to cool it. When it begins to run low on sugar, which is fuel for the muscles, a hormone from the pancreas tells the liver to release stored sugar into the bloodstream. As the legs and heart need more oxygen, the brain signals the heart to beat faster. Blood flow to the internal organs and upper body is shut down by 80 percent so that more blood gets to the legs and heart. Deep breathing brings in more air. Blood vessels in the legs dilate 400 percent to accommodate the increased flow of blood. All of this enables a person to run long distances. Just as God has built into the body the capacity to keep running, so too He sustains us spiritually in the race of life. Through His indwelling Holy Spirit, He uses His Word, the church, Christian friends, prayers, and other means to give us the energy and endurance we need in our long-distance race toward Home. —D. C. Egner RUNNING WITH PATIENCE IS PERSEVERANCE IN THE "LONG RUN." Adrian Rogers - Psalm 119:32 A person might come to me and say, "I'm just so weak, I can hardly get out of bed. I don't feel good enough to do anything." I might say, "Well, have you been to the doctor?" If the person says no, I might ask, "Do you think you have a disease? What are you eating?" Suppose he said, "There's a restaurant I go to on Sunday. I get a meal there if it's not raining. That's all I ever eat." Well, of course, he's weak. Friend, a sermon on Sunday is designed to whet your appetite, not to feed you for a solid week. The Word of God is your source of growth. Stay in it, and you'll start to feel stronger. The Word of God is a Source of Growth Not only is it a source of victory—it is a source of growth. Look, if you will, in verse 32 of this same chapter: "I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart" (Psalm 119:32). Are you growing in heart power? Is God enlarging your heart? I know many of you that—I've been pastor to now for about fifteen years—that haven't grown much. At least, I can't observe it very much. That might say as much about me as it says about you, because I'm your pastor and your shepherd. But, there's no way that you're going to grow apart from the Word of God, dear friend.