Today’s passage: Psalm 119:97-120
Helpful thoughts:
- Mem
- The psalmist has more wisdom than his contemporary enemies, his teachers, and those who were older (“The aged”) because he knew the word of God.
- Age brings experience, but experience not discerned through the grid of the Word of God can misguide. The Bible trumps all other forms of wisdom.
- In order to have victory over sin, you must “put on” what is right (Verse 101 and Ephesians 4:20-24)
- The psalmist has more wisdom than his contemporary enemies, his teachers, and those who were older (“The aged”) because he knew the word of God.
- Nun
- The Bible shows us how to live. When our hearts and consciences are not in agreement with the Word, follow the Word.
- In order to incline our hearts to perform His statutes, we must delight in the Word.
- Our thinking informs our desires, our desires inform our actions.
- Samekh
- We think of “hate” as an emotion that we would not typically encourage. The word is used here in the context of choosing one person over the other. One is chosen, the other, “hated,” and in this case, they are hated because of their double-mindedness.
- See James 4:1-10, especially verses 1-3 and 8.
- Cunning does not make people grow spiritually, fear of the Lord does (Verses 118 & 120).
- We think of “hate” as an emotion that we would not typically encourage. The word is used here in the context of choosing one person over the other. One is chosen, the other, “hated,” and in this case, they are hated because of their double-mindedness.
Questions to consider:
- When the Word of God is sweet to our taste, what will the world’s values and sin “taste” like? If we delight in the world’s thinking, what will the Word of God “taste” like? How does this help us to know where the root of repentance is found?
- How does God direct us where to go and how to live (Verse 105)? Why would we sometimes prefer a sign or a “feeling” of peace instead? How would knowing and submitting to God’s Word give us peace of mind in the decisions we make (2 Timothy 3:16-17)?
- What would a person who is “cunning” but also “double-minded” result in? How does the fear of the Lord result in a purification of our mind (Our thinking) and result in growth?