MIXED MESSAGES
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for the church and for the privilege that is mine to worship you freely. I pray for those in hard places who do not enjoy the freedom I have; please bless them with a profound sense of your pleasure today.
Read PSALM 119:113–128
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
ס Samekh
113 I hate double-minded people,
but I love your law.
114 You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.
115 Away from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commands of my God!
116 Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live;
do not let my hopes be dashed.
117 Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
I will always have regard for your decrees.
118 You reject all who stray from your decrees,
for their delusions come to nothing.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
therefore I love your statutes.
120 My flesh trembles in fear of you;
I stand in awe of your laws.
ע Ayin
121 I have done what is righteous and just;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Ensure your servant’s well-being;
do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
looking for your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your love
and teach me your decrees.
125 I am your servant; give me discernment
that I may understand your statutes.
126 It is time for you to act, Lord;
your law is being broken.
127 Because I love your commands
more than gold, more than pure gold,
128 and because I consider all your precepts right,
I hate every wrong path.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Who speaks to you each week? Think about the people in your daily life: the preacher at church, the salesperson in the store, the commentators on television or on social media, your colleagues at work. How many different messages do you hear every week?In these two sections of Psalm 119, the writer contrasted the words of the world with the Word of God. Ever since the serpent questioned God’s Word in Genesis 3, we have lived in this war of words. The big question remains: who will we listen to: God or the enemy?
The psalmist recognized the problem. The words of the world are set against the Word of God. So, he could say he hated double-minded people (v. 113) and every wrong path (v. 128). However, he loved God’s law (v. 113) and God’s commands (v. 127). He was clear that God was his refuge (v. 114), the One who sustained him (vv. 116, 117), the One who loved him (v. 124), and the One who would vindicate him (v. 126).
The writer was clear that there is a contrast between the words of God and the words of the world. And yet, he asked for discernment from God, his teacher (vv. 124, 125). How many messages do we hear each week without questioning their validity?
Apply
What methods are available to you to evaluate the truth of input you receive each day?
Closing prayer
Loving God, my teacher, please grow greater discernment in me so that I can see through the messages coming at me from this world. I want to be more confident in your perfect instruction.
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