We have been studying the longest "chapter" in the Bible over the past several weeks. Psalm 119 divided up into 22 sections of 8 verses each. Nearly every verse has something to say about the Word of God. This psalm was used to instruct those who returned from exile in the values of God's Word.
The section before us this evening deals with the subject of 'Hope and the Word'.
I. Remembrance of the Word. v49-50
A. The Lord will remember His Word by which He has given us hope.
(Isa 26:3) "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."
1. Hope has to do with the future.
2. But our hope is only as good as the promise to which it is related.
3. Hope in the Word is a strong hope.
4. There is no stronger foundation for our hope than the Word of God.
B. It is the Word which brought life.
(John 1:3-4) "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. {4} In him was life; and the life was the light of men."
1. Are you going to heaven? I hope so!
2. That hope is empty unless it is founded upon the promises of God's unchanging Word.
C. When afflictions come, it is our comfort.
(Rev 2:10) "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
1. We don't what affliction the psalmist was undergoing, but he found comfort in the Word of God.
2. "…thy word hath quickened me."
3. The Word is what kept him alive.
4. Hoping in the Word will comfort and strengthen us in midst of difficulties in our lives.
5. The greatest comfort available in our trials is to remember that the Savior always remembers us, if we are truly saved.
a. God remembered Noah
b. God remembered Abraham
c. God will remember us, He doesn't forget His own.
II. The Enablement by Word v51-52
A. There are those who will ridicule the believer.
1. That has always been the case.
2. It is one of Satan's strategies to hinder the work of God.
3. Remember how they mocked Nehemiah and the work to rebuild the wall?
4. Anytime we try to do a work for God there will be those poised to criticize and mock us for what we do.
5. But remember, they are actually in ridicule of Christ and God.
B. This should not make us "decline" from the Word of God.
1. Don't quit!
2. Note this little thought.
3. We are to remember the teachings of God's Word and let them comfort us.
(Mat 5:11) "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake."
III. How to Sing Among the Wicked. v53- 54.
A. What do we see when we look at those who reject the truth of God's Word.
1. The psalmist said that 'horror' took hold of him.
2. The word doesn't mean afraid, but means 'to heat up with anger'.
3. He was angry when he looked at those who rejected God's Word.
4. Are we filled with indignation at those who mock God?
B. Note a couple of thoughts from v54.
1. This world is only a house of pilgrimage-we are just passing through!
2. We would do well to remember that all that is in this world is temporal.
3. It will pass away, we are in this world, but we are not of this world.
4. While we are on our journey, the Lord gives us songs of hope.
(Eph 5:19) "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;"
(Psa 40:1-3) "I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. {2} He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. {3} And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD."
C. When we feel like crying now we remember our hope of eternity and we will feel like singing!
IV. How To Go To Sleep Peacefully v 55-56
A. Retire at night remembering the Lord.
1. Instead of worrying over and replaying the scenes of our day…
2. Focus our attention on the Lord and what He has done for us and what He has in store for us in the days ahead.
(1 John 3:1-3) "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. {2} Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. {3} And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
B. Keep the admonition of the Word by calling on the Lord regularly.
1. Instead of counting sheep…
2. We should talk with the Shepherd.
3. Regular prayer will keep us in tune with Him and with His Word.
C. We can sleep peacefully when we have been obedient to the Word.
1. We can always be at peace with the Lord
2. And with the world as we abide in the truth of God's Word.
3. Our horizontal relationships are only right when our vertical relationship is proper.
God's Word is a foundation for hope. We find there is:
1. Comfort in the midst of trials by remembering the Word.
2. Power to overcome the ridicule of unbelievers by remembering the Word.
3. Rejoicing and singing when the Word is remembered.
4. Peace at the end of the day when the Word is remembered.