What is the SWORD of the SPIRIT? 

 

WISDOM FROM THE SPIRIT

1 Corinthians 2:6- Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written, What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— 10 these things God has revealed to us through the SPIRIT. For the SPIRIT searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the SPIRIT of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the SPIRIT who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the SPIRIT, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

14 The natural person does not accept the things of the SPIRIT of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are SPIRITually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

 

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

Luke 8:4- And when a great crowd was gathering and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable, 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. 8 And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold.” As he said these things, he called out,“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

9 And when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, 10 he said, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’ 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the WORD OF GOD. 12 The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the WORD from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the WORD, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. 14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the WORD, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

 

The SWORD of the SPIRIT is the WORD of GOD in which it's wisdom is revealed to us by the HOLY SPIRIT.  The Holy SPIRIT helps us to understand all the hidden knowledge in GOD'S WORD.  These things are only discerned by the SPIRIT.  Without the Holy SPIRIT, GOD'S WORD is foolishness to us.  When we hold fast to the SWORD of the SPIRIT, we bear fruit that comes from perseverance and patience.  

 

THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT IS THE WORD OF GOD

 

Hebrews 4:12- For the WORD OF GOD is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

 

 

This verse likens the WORD of GOD to a two-edged SWORD because it discerns our thoughts and intents while cutting deep even to the soul and spirit.  Interestingly, it also says it is living and powerful.  How can a book be powerful, let alone alive?  These verses below explain this:

 

THE WORD IS ALIVE

 

THE WORD BECAME FLESH

John 1:1- In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with God, and the WORD was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through 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. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

14 And the WORD became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said,‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

 

THE WORD OF LIFE

1 John 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the WORD of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

 

1 Peter 1:17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding WORD OF GOD; 24 for “All flesh is like grass    and all its glory like the flower of grass.The grass withers,  and the flower falls, 25 but the WORD of the Lord remains forever.” And this WORD is the good news that was preached to you.

 

John 12:44- And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the WORD that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

 

1 Thessalonians 2:13- And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the WORD of GOD, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the WORD of GOD, which is at work in you believers.

 

The WORD of GOD is many things as we can see.  It is God, it held life, it was a light that shone in the darkness, and it became flesh as Jesus Christ who after His sacrifice the WORD became the good news. Now we know how the WORD of God can be alive and powerful...  This also explains how the WORD of GOD can be constantly meaningful for every person in every generation. it explains how it can just speak to you differently each time you read it, it also explains how the WORD of GOD is infalliable no matter what the translation.  SInce the WORD is alive, the SPIRIT guides us in truth and wisdom even though man has attempted to change the WORD of GOD.  God is bigger and more powerful than that, He won't allow a few mistranslated or missing words cause His WORD to come back void and useless.  We are HIs children and He promises not to leave us in darkness and error.

 

THE SPIRIT TEACHES US THE WORD

 

So how is the WORD of GOD also the SWORD of the SPIRIT?  How does it help us in battle?

 

2 Timothy 3:15-17 ...and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

 

2 Corinthians 10:3- For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfareare not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

 

This SWORD of the SPIRIT teaches us the WORD of GOD and trains us in righteousness so we are prepared for battles. He is our instructor when we need guidance and corrects us when we get off track.  He makes sure we are equipped with knowledge and good works so that sin does not ensnare us in the heat of the battle.  With the WORD of GOD which is the SWORD, we are able pull and cast down the enemy, take him captive and punish him.  We are a force to be reckoned with when we have the WORD of GOD in hand and nothing can stop us.

 

RIGHTLY HANDLING THE WORD OF GOD

 

What happens if we don't know how to handle the SWORD of the SPIRIT which is the WORD of GOD?

 

2 Timothy 2:14- Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the WORD of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. 

 

When we use the WORD OF GOD to argue or quarrel with others about what is right and wrong, we are misusing the SWORD and it can hurt others.  Instead of it being an effective weapon to train one in righteousness and keep back the enemy, it instead becomes an unfortunate tool that will cause divsion and destruction to those that hear it.  The wounds made by the SWORD then can cause ganegrene and spread, which is the ungodliness caused by it.  When we do this, our commander is not nodding His head in approval at your use of the SWORD, but is saddened by the damage done by it to people who are or could be a part of His army.  We need to be very careful how we handle our SWORD and make sure any moves we make are guided by the SPIRIT and not by our own unsteady hands.  If a quarrel arises, back away before anyone gets hurt and encourage others to do so. 

 

ODE TO THE WORD OF GOD

 

Now, when we rightly handle the WORD of GOD, how does this make us feel?  How does this help and equip us?  How should we look at GOD'S WORDS?  This next chapter is the longest in the bible, consisting of 176 verses.  There must be a reason why God chose His WORD to be the subject of this great Psalm.  Let's take a look and see why...

 

MEDITATIONS ON THE EXCELLENCIES OF THE WORD OF GOD

א Aleph

Psalm 119:1- Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord! 2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart! 3 They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways. 4 You have commanded us To keep Your precepts diligently. 5 Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes! 6 Then I would not be ashamed, When I look into all Your commandments. 7 I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments. 8 I will keep Your statutes;  Oh, do not forsake me utterly!

ב Beth

9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.12 Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes. 13 With my lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth.1 4 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. 16 I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

ג Gimel

17 Deal bountifully with Your servant,That I may live and keep Your word. 18 Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law. 19 I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me. 20 My soul breaks with longing For Your judgments at all times. 21 You rebuke the proud—the cursed, Who stray from Your commandments. 22 Remove from me reproach and contempt, For I have kept Your testimonies. 23 Princes also sit and speak against me, But Your servant meditates on Your statutes. 24 Your testimonies also are my delight And my counselors.

ד Daleth

25 My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word. 26 I have declared my ways, and You answered me; Teach me Your statutes. 27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works. 28 My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word. 29 Remove from me the way of lying, And grant me Your law graciously. 30 I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me. 31 I cling to Your testimonies; O Lord, do not put me to shame! 32 I will run the course of Your commandments, For You shall enlarge my heart.

ה He

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end. 34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. 35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it.36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness. 37 Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way. 38 Establish Your word to Your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You. 39 Turn away my reproach which I dread, For Your judgments are good. 40 Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me in Your righteousness.

ו Waw

41 Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord—Your salvation according to Your word. 42 So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word. 43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I have hoped in Your ordinances. 44 So shall I keep Your law continually, Forever and ever. 45 And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts. 46 I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, And will not be ashamed. 47 And I will delight myself in Your commandments, Which I love. 48 My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes.

ז Zayin

49 Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life. 51 The proud have me in great derision, Yet I do not turn aside from Your law. 52 I remembered Your judgments of old, O Lord, And have comforted myself. 53 Indignation has taken hold of me Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law. 54 Your statutes have been my songs In the house of my pilgrimage. 55 I remember Your name in the night, O Lord, And I keep Your law. 56 This has become mine, Because I kept Your precepts.

ח Heth

57 You are my portion, O Lord; I have said that I would keep Your words. 58 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; Be merciful to me according to Your word. 59 I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to Your testimonies. 60 I made haste, and did not delay To keep Your commandments. 61 The cords of the wicked have bound me, But I have not forgotten Your law. 62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You, Because of Your righteous judgments. 63 I am a companion of all who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts. 64 The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy; Teach me Your statutes.

ט Teth

65 You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your word. 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe Your commandments. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word. 68 You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes. 69 The proud have forged a lie against me, But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart. 70 Their heart is as fat as grease, But I delight in Your law. 71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. 72 The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.

י Yod

73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. 74 Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, Because I have hoped in Your word. 75 I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. 76 Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, According to Your word to Your servant. 77 Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; For Your law is my delight. 78 Let the proud be ashamed, For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood; But I will meditate on Your precepts.79 Let those who fear You turn to me, Those who know Your testimonies. 80 Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes, That I may not be ashamed.

ך Kaph

81 My soul faints for Your salvation, But I hope in Your word. 82 My eyes fail from searching Your word, Saying, “When will You comfort me?” 83 For I have become like a wineskin in smoke, Yet I do not forget Your statutes. 84 How many are the days of Your servant? When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me? 85 The proud have dug pits for me, Which is not according to Your law. 86 All Your commandments are faithful; They persecute me wrongfully; Help me! 87 They almost made an end of me on earth, But I did not forsake Your precepts. 88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

ל Lamed

89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. 90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. 91 They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants. 92 Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. 93 I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have given me life. 94 I am Yours, save me; For I have sought Your precepts. 95 The wicked wait for me to destroy me, But I will consider Your testimonies. 96 I have seen the consummation of all perfection, But Your commandment is exceedingly broad.

ם Mem

97  Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts. 101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. 102 I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me. 103 How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.

ן Nun

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. 106 I have sworn and confirmed That I will keep Your righteous judgments. 107 I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word. 108 Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, And teach me Your judgments. 109 My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law. 110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts. 111 Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, For they are the rejoicing of my heart. 112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes Forever, to the very end.

ס Samek

113 I hate the double-minded, But I love Your law. 114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. 115 Depart from me, you evildoers, For I will keep the commandments of my God! 116 Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.117 Hold me up, and I shall be safe, And I shall observe Your statutes continually. 118 You reject all those who stray from Your statutes, For their deceit is falsehood. 119 You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross; Therefore I love Your testimonies. 120 My flesh trembles for fear of You, And I am afraid of Your judgments.

ע Ayin

121 I have done justice and righteousness; Do not leave me to my oppressors. 122 Be surety for Your servant for good; Do not let the proud oppress me. 123 My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation And Your righteous word. 124 Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy, And teach me Your statutes. 125 I am Your servant; Give me understanding, That I may know Your testimonies. 126 It is time for You to act, O Lord, For they have regarded Your law as void. 127 Therefore I love Your commandments More than gold, yes, than fine gold! 128 Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way.

פ Pe

129 Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul keeps them. 130 The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. 131 I opened my mouth and panted, For I longed for Your commandments. 132 Look upon me and be merciful to me, As Your custom is toward those who love Your name. 133 Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me. 134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, That I may keep Your precepts. 135 Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes. 136 Rivers of water run down from my eyes, Because men do not keep Your law.

ץ Tsadde

137 Righteous are You, O Lord, And upright are Your judgments. 138 Your testimonies, which You have commanded, Are righteous and very faithful. 139 My zeal has consumed me, Because my enemies have forgotten Your words. 140 Your word is very pure; Therefore Your servant loves it. 141 I am small and despised, Yet I do not forget Your precepts. 142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth. 143 Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, Yet Your commandments are my delights. 144 The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; Give me understanding, and I shall live.

ק Qoph

145 I cry out with my whole heart; Hear me, O Lord! I will keep Your statutes. 146 I cry out to You; Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies. 147 I rise before the dawning of the morning, And cry for help; I hope in Your word. 148 My eyes are awake through the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word. 149 Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; O Lord, revive me according to Your justice. 150 They draw near who follow after wickedness; They are far from Your law. 151 You are near, O Lord, And all Your commandments are truth. 152 Concerning Your testimonies, I have known of old that You have founded them forever.

ר Resh

153 Consider my affliction and deliver me, For I do not forget Your law. 154 Plead my cause and redeem me; Revive me according to Your word. 155 Salvation is far from the wicked, For they do not seek Your statutes. 156 Great are Your tender mercies, O Lord; Revive me according to Your judgments.157 Many are my persecutors and my enemies, Yet I do not turn from Your testimonies. 158 I see the treacherous, and am disgusted, Because they do not keep Your word. 159 Consider how I love Your precepts; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness. 160 The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

שׁ Shin

161 Princes persecute me without a cause, But my heart stands in awe of Your word. 162 I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure. 163 I hate and abhor lying, But I love Your law. 164 Seven times a day I praise You, Because of Your righteous judgments. 165 Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble. 166 Lord, I hope for Your salvation, And I do Your commandments. 167 My soul keeps Your testimonies, And I love them exceedingly. 168 I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, For all my ways are before You.

ת Tau

169 Let my cry come before You, O Lord; Give me understanding according to Your word. 170 Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word. 171 My lips shall utter praise, For You teach me Your statutes. 172 My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness. 173 Let Your hand become my help, For I have chosen Your precepts. 174 I long for Your salvation, O Lord, And Your law is my delight. 175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise You; And let Your judgments help me. 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek Your servant, For I do not forget Your commandments.

 

This chapter tells us so much! Throughout it we see the author use different words to describe GOD'S WORD.  What names for GOD'S WORD did you notice?  Here they are along with their definitions:

• WORD- account, acts, advice, agreement, answer, case, cause, charge, Chronicles, claims, commandments, commands, conditions, conduct, counsel, customs, dealings, decree, deeds, desires, events, fulfillment, instructions, manner, matter, message, oath, obligations, one of the promises, order, plan, portion, promise, proposal, purpose, reason, records, report, rule, thoughts, verdict, way

• Way- Manner, conduct, direction, mission, path, journey, example, actions

• Commandments-  obligation, prescribed, terms, law, ordinance, precept

• Statutes- boundaries, conditions, custom, decree, due, fixed order, limits, measure, ordinance, portions, prescriptions, required amount, what is appointed.

• Laws- direction or instruction

• Judgements- arrangements, case, cause, charge, claim, customs, decisions, destruction, due, order, ordinances, plans, practice, procedure, regulation, rule, sentence, standard, trial, verdict, way prescribed

• Precepts- commandment or statute

• Testimony- witness

 

So GOD'S WORD is a collection of everything He ever said.  It is the Holy Bible.  The Bible in fact consists of all the things listed above, so when we are keeping GOD'S WORD we are observing and guarding everything He has said in our hearts.

 

How does the author describe GOD'S WORDS?

• Righteous

• Upright

• Wonderful

• Good

• Faithful

• Pure

• Truth

• Right

 

Are these words you use to describe what you read in the Bible?

 

What does he liken GOD'S WORD to?

• Better than thousands of coins of gold and silver

• Sweeter than honey to his mouth

• A lamp to his feet and a light to his path

• The rejoicing of his heart

• A great treasure

• Counselors

• A delight

 

Are GOD'S WORDS any of these to you? Why or why not?

 

How does the author feel when he is without GOD'S WORDS?

• His soul breaks with longing for them

• His soul clings to the dust without them

• His soul melts with heaviness without them

• He pants for them

 

Hopefully we can all reach a point where we feel this way when we haven't been in the WORD.  Some uf us are just starting out and have yet to have that desire fully brought to the surface.   We must encourage one another to spend time in the WORD and understand we are all at different walks with God.  Only the Holy Spirit can foster a feeling of yearning and great longing for the words of the Father.  Prayer before we take time to meditate on His WORD is a great way to start the fire. 

 

Now I would like you to notice how the author would ask God to do something "according to HIs WORD"... He was reminding God of His promises to those who believe in His WORD and hold fast to it.  These promises were also what comorted him in his affliction. What were they?  According to GOD'S WORD, He promised to:

• Deliver us 

• Give understanding

• Plead our cause

• Revive us

• Redeem us

• Help us

• Accept our supplications

• Be merciful

• Hear our voice

• Look upon us

• Give mercy and kindness to us as our comfort

• Grant us salvation

• Cleanse us

• Make us able to give answer to those that reproach us

• Make us wise

• Keep us from shame

• Give light

• Give understanding to the simple

• Gives us peace

• Keep us from stumbling

 

Those are quite a few promises! Do you believe every WORD God has said?  Have you taken hold of these promises?  When you pray, do you remind God what He has promised to those that believe?

 

Now when the author is wanting to be able to keep GOD'S WORD, what does he ask for from God?

• Give me understanding

• Teach me

• Direct my steps

• Make me walk in the path of Your commandments

• Incline my heart to Your testimonies

• Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things

• Establish Your WORD

• Open my eyes

• Let me not wander from your commandments

• Enlarge my heart

 

Only God can cause us to obey and understand His WORD, that is why the author isn't asking someone else to help him or relying on his own abilities.

 

What is the action of the author towards GOD'S WORD that enable him to keep ahold of it?

• He believes in the WORD

• He hopes in GOD'S WORDS

• He loves the WORD

• He trusts in the WORD

• He observes the WORD with all his heart

• He meditates on the WORD

• He contemplates the WORD

• He turns his feet toward the WORD 

• He seeks God with his whole heart

• He takes heed

• Hiding the WORD in his heart

• Declaring the WORD

• Rejoicing in His WORD

• He clings to His WORD

• He delights in His WORD

• He longs for His WORD 

• He rememebers GOD'S WORD

• He entreated God's favor

 

Notice how all the actions of the author are in response to the things he asked God to do. The reason he is able to keep ahold of GOD'S WORD is because God has enabled him to do so.

 

How often does the author spend time meditating on the WORD?

• All times

• He rises before the dawning of the morning

• All day

• At midnight he rises to give thanks for GOD'S WORD

• His eyes fail from searching His WORD

• Continually

• His eyes are awake through the night watches

• Forever

 

To be strong in GOD'S WORD, we must spend time in training.  Like a warrior, the more time we spend learning, doing and thinking about what strengthens us for battle, the more EQUIPPED and successful we will be when that time comes.  How often do you spend in GOD'S WORD?  Do you find you are ill EQUIPPED when battles arise?  Do you feel you don't have the knowledge to be successful?  These problems can be simply fixed by asking God to do the things the author asked. Sometimes we find it hard to get into the WORD, but just remember it is God that enables us and gives us that desire, so start today by reaching out to Him in prayer.

 

So when God enables the author to keep His WORD and understand it what does he do?

• He praises God

• He gives thanks

• He speaks GOD'S WORD without shame

• He does no iniquity

• He walks in His ways

• His feet are restrained from evil

• He doesn't forget GOD'S WORD

• He does not depart from His WORD

• He walks in liberty

• He runs the course

• He keeps GOD'S WORD till the end

• He lives

 

These are the things that keep us strong against the enemy when we hold on to the SWORD of the SPIRIT.  By not letting go, we are able to rejoice in the battle, stand firm, keep away from evil and endure to the end, coming out victorious and full of life!  How great is GOD'S WORD!

 

Now, when we are in battle, we are careful to take note who is fighting with us so we do not get caught off guard or drug down with them.  Everyone in our army must follow the orders of the commander or else we may be in danger of losing the battle.  What does this Psalm say about those (the wicked) that do not follow after the commander?

• They draw near who follow after wickedness; They are far from Your law.

• Salvation is far from the wicked, For they do not seek Your statutes.

• You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross

• It is time for You to act, O Lord, For they have regarded Your law as void.

• You reject all those who stray from Your statutes, For their deceit is falsehood.

• You rebuke the proud—the cursed, Who stray from Your commandments. 

 

We see here that the wicked are those that do not have salvation.  Because they don't have salvation, their fruit is rotten and full of deceit, wickedness and pride.  Because they do not have salvation, God does not enable them to keep the His laws, statutes or commands. Because of this, the Lord will act by rebuking, rejecting and putting away the wicked.  As our great commander, He does not want those who will not follow after Him in His army.  He does not want those that will reject His commands to end up leading others after them.  He being wise and mighty, will do whatever it takes to keep His army pure and strong.

 

How does the author feel about those who do not hold on to GOD'S WORD? 

• My zeal has consumed me, Because my enemies have forgotten Your words.

• I hate and abhor lying, But I love Your law.

• I see the treacherous, and am disgusted, Because they do not keep Your word.

• Rivers of water run down from my eyes, Because men do not keep Your law.

• Depart from me, you evildoers, For I will keep the commandments of my God! 

• I hate the double-minded, But I love Your law.

• Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.

• Indignation has taken hold of me Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law. 

 

It seems he has some very intense feelings towards those that reject GOD'S WORDS.  This is what I would call a righteous anger because his feelings are the same that God would have for those people.  He hurts for what hurts God and feels pain for what causes God pain.  This is natural when we become children of God.  We know what brings us joy and the fullness we have in God and we don't understand why others would want it any other way.  Just understand, that although the author feels this way, he does not act in any way towards those that cause him feelings of distress, but instead leaves room for God to judge.  We still must react in love because it is not anger that is sin, but whatever reaction we have that can turn into sin.

 

What happens when he is attacked by his enemies?

• Princes also sit and speak against me, But Your servant meditates on Your statutes.

• The proud have forged a lie against me, But I will keep Your precepts 

• Many are my persecutors and my enemies, Yet I do not turn from Your testimonies. 

• Princes persecute me without a cause, But my heart stands in awe of Your word

• The cords of the wicked have bound me, But I have not forgotten Your law. 

• The proud have me in great derision, Yet I do not turn aside from Your law

• Let the proud be ashamed, For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood; But I will meditate on Your precepts

• I am small and despised, Yet I do not forget Your precepts.

• Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, Yet Your commandments are my delights. 

• The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts.

• My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law.

• The wicked wait for me to destroy me, But I will consider Your testimonies. 

• For I have become like a wineskin in smoke, Yet I do not forget Your statutes.

• They almost made an end of me on earth, But I did not forsake Your precepts.

 

Like I said above, although the author has strong feelings about his enemies, he leaves room for God's judgements and instead we see his focus remains on GOD'S WORD and spending even more time immersing himself in them.  We see that no matter what his enemies do to him, he remains strong and steadfast.  He holds tightly on to the SWORD which is the WORD. He is able to not only defend but fight back and overcome though GOD'S WORDS.  We should never place our energy and focus on those that are troubling us and the trials we face, but instead let us remember the WORDS of GOD and focus on His awesomeness because He is the one who will supply the strength and deliver us from those that trouble us.

 

Phillipians 2:12- Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the WORD of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

 

In closing, it is God who produces all good works and obedience in you.  It is He who produces the desire and will inside of you to obey His WORD.  It is He who will deliver you and save you.  Just hold fast to the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is GOD'S WORD and He will teach you and guide you in all His ways.