God's Broad Commandments

[0:00] All right, we're in the middle of Psalm 119, very long chapter, and as a reminder of the Psalms, and we're studying verses 89 through 96, if you guys want to open up, so 89, 96.

[0:12] A reminder, the Psalm is a wisdom composition, so it's teaching us here about right living and right faith, and it makes clear that wise living centers around the instruction of God.

[0:23] So this is the Word of God that gives us wisdom, and we all want that, right? We want to live wisely, live well, so let's jump in. So verses 89 through 96.

[0:37] Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations. You have established the earth, and it stands fast. By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants.

[0:50] If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life. I am yours, save me, for I have sought your precepts.

[1:03] The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies. I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad. So the first three verses speak about the sovereign and unchanging nature of God's Word.

[1:18] It's firm, it's powerful, it maintains all creation. It reminds me of Hebrews 1.3, where it talks about Jesus. So He, Jesus, is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature.

[1:33] And He upholds the universe by the Word of His power. So Jesus upholds the universe by the Word of His power. So, hey, James. And I'm reminded of God's creative power, too, through His Word.

[1:45] So in Genesis 1, it talks about how all the Father had to do to create the universe was speak it into being. So Genesis 1.3, and God said, let there be light, and there was light.

[1:59] That's all God has to do. And John chapter 11, when His friend Lazarus died, all Jesus had to do to bring him back to life was give His Word of command. He said, Lazarus, come out, and He came out.

[2:13] And that's what God did for each of us when we heard the gospel. And we trusted in Jesus. We were dead in our sin. And we were unresponsive, unable to respond to God, as much as a dead person is unable to hear and respond to a command.

[2:31] But God breathed life into us. He made us born again. And He made us able to see and adore and trust in Jesus. So God is strong.

[2:41] He is powerful. He sustains all of creation. He's the one who sustains you and me and is sovereign over all life. So we can be encouraged in the ups and downs of life that our Heavenly Father cares for us and has us.

[2:54] So that's the first three verses and the latter half of the psalm. The psalmist talks about finding hope and life in God's Word.

[3:06] So verse 92, if your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. We're 89 to 96. So when we face life's hardships, we can be tempted to disconnect from God.

[3:22] I think that's an easy temptation. We want to withdraw. Maybe we're too busy, so we get crowded out or we're too stressed. Or we become bitter towards God.

[3:35] We hear the lies that we can handle it on our own or God doesn't care about us. And so we disconnect from Him. Or we can also disconnect from other people, community.

[3:48] But I think these are both unwise things. With God, God's Word is a lamp unto our feet. And God gives us wisdom and instruction. In those times, we should be seeking Him more.

[4:02] I love the psalmist's cry in verse 94. He says, I am yours. Save me. And we can use that reasoning with God. We can say, God, we are yours.

[4:16] We are yours in Christ, your child. You are our God in Christ. And we can use that to leverage God's compassion and mercy towards us.

[4:27] And also with other people. We don't want to retreat from others. We want to stay connected. It's super hard. It can be when times are tough. But instead of retreating, thinking that we'll be a burden upon other people, we can let others support us and love us and serve us in our time of need.

[4:45] The last verse says, I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad. Life is short.

[4:56] All of this world and its enjoyments are but a breath. Even like the most beautiful sunset or like the best piece of music or like whatever we come across.

[5:09] It's so short. It's just a breath. But God is infinite. In his scope and duration, his love is infinite. And we get to enjoy him forever. And I love in Ephesians 2, verse 7, just this glimpse into what God has in store for us.

[5:28] So it says that in chapter 2, God made us alive together with Christ. So that in the coming ages, he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace and kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

[5:40] A little bit of a mouthful. But in the coming ages, his plan, his purpose is to shower us with kindness. I think it's just cool to think about.

[5:51] Like that's what God wants us to do when he brings us into eternity. He's just going to give us kindness. That's what he wants to show us. And I think that's really amazing. So these truths of God's boundless love and his power, the hope that he gives, the promises that he gives, they're all in his word.

[6:09] So as we've been reminded throughout this chapter, let's read and meditate on God's word. Let's be satisfied with himself as we seek him. And with that, Anna, could you lead us in a song?

[6:23] Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.