I will, with God's Help by Pastor Dave

“I call with all my heart; answer me O Lord, and I will obey your decrees. I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes.”
Psalm 119: 145-176
 
Psalm 119: 145-176
 
Observe
We reach the last four stanzas of this amazing Psalm:

1. God is called upon to answer prayer and to aid the Psalmist in keeping His Word (145-152)(Qoph)
2. The prayer grows deeper asking for salvation from suffering and a demonstration of how God’s Word, in His love, preserves life (153-160)(Resh)
3. Petition leads to a faithful focus on God and His Word; the psalmist has to wait on God in faith for salvation. In that waiting obedience remains (161-168)(Sin & Shin)
4. In the final stanza the psalmist’s petitions grow in fervency and passion. God’s Sovereignty is recognized and the humility of the author is displayed in the light of God’s greatness(169-176)(Taw)

 
Interpret
     The key theme of this Psalm is God’s Word – His Law, precepts, statutes and commands. It is a relational Psalm that demonstrates the beauty of the closeness that is possible between God, the creator, and humans, the created. It is a Psalm that builds in intensity as the author recognizes his need of God, His Word and Salvation. Humble commitment, service and obedience is required, in faith, for this relationship to fully grow, develop and blossom.
     In these last stanzas the Psalm grows to a crescendo. Prayer and God’s Word are the key themes. We see how the psalmist prayed, what he prayed for, when and how. We see the contents of his petitions, the period of waiting that occurred and how faith and obedience remained during this time. In all of this we see God’s supremacy, the truth of His Word and His salvation.
     The Psalm is almost like a testimony, paying witness to God’s love and truth. It demonstrates the beauty and closeness of a relationship with the Almighty. As the Psalm closes we can almost imagine the writer falling on his knees in humility, recognizing his lost state and casting himself upon God’s loving grace in abject servanthood; the only possible response when God is truly ‘seen.’
 
Application
     In recent services we have considered how we ‘honour,’ God. We have looked at how we are to ‘enjoy’ God and glorify Him in this life. In a sense, and in real detail, this Psalm is a blueprint answer for us to these issues. It details the need to know God in and through His Holy Spirit inspired Word, that the latter makes alive in us. The Psalm demonstrates many forms of prayer and is a testimony of faith. It shows the beauty, joy, agony and wonder of a close relationship with God – it is an inspiration for us to mirror and emulate.
     The real 'keys' it displays for us to unlock our relationship in God with, are those of prayer, faith, Word and obedience. Turning these keys in practice truly bless us, glorifies God and gives us joy; we will know and see God. The final piece though is the admission and recognition of our utter need of God as demonstrated in today’s opening verses (recorded above) and closing verse. These link very much to our baptismal vows that we make where we say, we pray, “I will, with the help of God.”
 
The Question of Application
     What ‘key’ will you use today, with the help of God, to grow in your relationship with Him?
 
Prayer
    Lord, you are just and your commandments are eternal. Teach us to love you with all our heart and to love our neighbour as ourselves. Through Jesus Christ, your only Son, You reveal that You work in your creation, so through Him, your living Word, enable us to know Your love and to share it with others. Teach and enable us in prayer and faith through Jesus Christ and Your written Word. We ask this in his name. Amen
 
Praise 
I Will – Citizen Way
Take my Life and Let it be – Chris Tomlin