Praise For God’s Word

Psalms 119:41–48
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I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to death your right to say it. (Attributed to Voltaire).

Liberty

Walking in liberty is not the freedom to do as we please but to do as we ought to. This liberty can only be found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This is not a liberty to do what we want to do but a freedom to serve and obey the Lord. If we are going to walk in liberty, we must be:

1. Divinely Equipped.

a. Receiving - “Let Thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even Thy salvation, according to Thy Word” (v. 41). Given only by God through the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord.

b. Response - “So shall I have within to answer him that reproaches me; for I trust in thy Word” (v. 42). The devil must be answered by an internal word of humility.

c. Responsibility - “And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in Thy judgements” (v. 43). It is our responsibility to share the truths of God’s Word.

2 Directly Enabled.

a. Consistency - “So shall I keep Thy law continually forever and ever” (v. 44). When we come to the place of total commitment, we will not serve God out of duty but out of desire.

b. Constraint - “And I will walk at liberty: for I seek Thy precepts” (v. 45). The Word of God does not constrain us; it sets us free. Many of us constrain ourselves.

3. Distinctly Exhibited.

a. Determination - “I will speak of Thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed” (v. 46). Determined to be bold as a witness regardless of who hears it.

b. Delight - “And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved” (v. 47). When God takes away a sinful delight, He replaces it with another.

c. Demonstration - “My hands also will I lift up unto Thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in Thy statutes” (v. 48). We reach out for what we long for.

Application

The hands of a drowning person will reach out for a lifesaver. I have the liberty to reach out to Christ, and He is always there to rescue me and keep me from sinking in my sin.

Psalms 119:41-48 (English Standard Version)

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