Psalm 119:1-8

Psalm 119:1-8

Joyful are people of integrity,who follow the instructions of the Lord.Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.They do not compromise with evil,and they walk only in his paths.You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands.As I learn your righteous regulations,I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey your decrees.Please don’t give up on me!

Have you ever said something and as soon as you said it your stomach felt ill because you knew you shouldn’t have said it? Or have you ever done something that you knew you shouldn’t, but you thought that no one would know, but sure enough people found out and then you were embarrassed? Or maybe you are even currently living in an area of sin and it is really nagging at your conscience. You are not really enjoying life, because you just can’t get completely relaxed and happy knowing you are not walking in the integrity of the Lord.

    Psalm 119:1 tells us that, “Joyful (happy, blessed) are the people of integrity who follow the instructions of the Lord.” Verse 2 goes on to say, “Joyful (happy, blessed) are those who obey His laws and search for him with all of their hearts.”  So often people say that they do not want to follow God or have anything to do with Christianity because there are so many rules or things they can not do.  But here God tell us that the rules bring you joy and blessing. They bring freedom, which is exactly opposite of how the world sees it.
    I love verses 5&6 that say, “Oh that  my actions would consistently reflect your decrees.  Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life to your commands.” How many times in my life I have wished that my actions and words were more consistent with God’s decrees. How many times in my life I would have escaped embarrassment if I had only lined my words and deeds up with God’s word.
    God has grace and mercy for us when we mess up.  He forgives us as soon as we repent. He knows us inside and out. He knows when we are going to mess up and He chooses to love us anyway.  Just because God does love and forgive us does not mean we should go on living as we did before, allowing ourselves to say an dd anything we want.  Verse 7 says, “As I learn your righteous regulations I will thank You by living as I should.” God has given us so much and we often take Him for granted, but when we make a decision for Christ and to follow God we need to thank God for what He has done for us by changing our ways and living for Him.   
    Just because we do become Christians and want to do right does not mean we will never mess up. The psalmist knew this too because he ended this section of verses by saying, “I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on my!” How many times have you wanted to give up on yourself? Isn’t it good to know you are not the only one who has ever felt that way? Isn’t it even better to know that God will never give up on you?
    Sometimes people justify their wrong behavior. They live against the word of God and they tell themselves that they are a relatively good person and they believe in God so they that they are good enough and don’t need to worry. We can never be “good enough” for God. Our being Christians isn’t about our being good enough, it is about God wanting us to be right with him, and him making a way of salvation. We don’t do good to try and earn our way into heaven. We should live right first off because it is our way of thanking God for saving us. Our way of telling him that we love him. The cool thing is that even though we are lining up our lives with his word because we are thankful and we love him, He turns right around and gives us joy and peace. When we obey His commands and walk in His ways then we will be a happier and more joyful people!
    If there is an area that you are allowing yourself to live outside of God’s laws, I challenge you to change it. Line your life up with him in every area and you will be amazed at the peace and joy you will find.

Father I pray for each on that is reading this now. That they will personally pray as the psalmist in  Psalm 139:23 says that you will search me and know my heart and point out if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting. Lord if there is any stronghold that is keeping them from serving you and having the joy that only you can give, I pray that the stronghold will be broken now., and that they will be able to go forth in your peace and your joy.

In Jesus Name

Amen