Tonight we come to another section of Psalm 119. The psalm was written to instruct those who returned from exile in the values of God's Word. They had been away from their homeland and away from God's instruction. God used this psalm to reintroduce them to the value and importance of His Word.
One hundred seventy-six verses divided into 22 sections of eight verses each. A letter of the Hebrew alphabet prefaces each section. It is much like we use our alphabet today. To emphasize importance of basics we often talk about the ABC's of something. This is the ABC's of God's Word. With the exception of v122 every verse deals in some way with the Word of God.
In tonight's section we will look at friendship in the Word.
I. Our Portion vs. 57-58
A. The nature of our relationship with God.
(Prov 18:24) "A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."
1. The Lord is our friend…that is our portion.
2. Obedience to His Word…is also our portion.
3. Friendship is a relationship between ourselves and others…it is never a one-way street.
(John 14:23) "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."
B. Benefits of this unique relationship with God.
1. We are committed to Him totally.
2. We receive favor and mercy from Him according to His Word.
3. He has made promises to us that we can count on.
4. He will not go back or renege on the promises He has made in His Word.
II. Our Walk v59-60
A. It begins with thoughts of our own lack of goodness.
(Psa 14:3) "They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one."
(Rom 3:23) "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
1. When we consider our ways we will conclude that we cannot walk for Him in our own strength and power.
2. "All we like sheep have gone astray…"
3. In other words, we cannot do it on our own.
4. When we attempt to do so, we will stray from the path.
B. Once we realize how far off track we are, we should strive to correct our course.
1. Warning signs abound to get us to correct the wrong way. Ex. Road signs.
2. We need to turn to friendly paths of God's Word with its promises.
(Prov 4:18) "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."
3. Hurry up and correct it now.
4. The longer we wait, the farther off course we will stray.
III. Our Remembrance v61-62
A. Remembering when the wicked have robbed us of material goods, by arousing fleshly emotions.
1. Bad things happen to good people…mark it down and don't forget it.
2. That doesn't mean that God doesn't care or that He has forsaken us.
3. It should cause us to remember His Word…His promises.
B. Remembering Him at midnight--He is a Friend for all times.
1. He is still God, even when it is dark outside.
2. He is still God in the midst of the storms of life.
3. The God of the mountain is still God in the valley.
C. Remembering because of His righteous ordinances.
(Prov 30:5) "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him."
1. The best things to think upon are the Words of the Bible.
2. Note: Philippians 4:8-9 3. Think on these things and do them.
IV. Our Companions v63-64.
A. We are not alone.
1. There is mutual trust and love for fellow Christians.
2. The basis for fellowship with others is our relationship with the Lord.
3. A walk with Christ is better if others walk with me.
4. We can strengthen and encourage one another along the way.
B. Look around and see the mercy of God.
1. The Lord's mercy is seen throughout the earth.
2. No matter where we go we can find evidence of God's mercy and goodness.
3. God's mercy is only seen through the eyes of the redeemed.
4. The natural man or lost man takes it all for granted and never considers God.
5. As we look at His mercy we are reminded that we need to be instructed and taught the Word of God.