Text: Psalm 119:89-96
Twelfth stanza of Psalm 119 – This lesson is about stability. God’s word is settled/fixed in heaven. This allows us to have stability in our lives if we follow the word of God.
God’s Word is Forever Settled (v. 89)
- The laws of man are always changing – God’s law does not change (Galatians 1:6-9)
- God will not change His mind (1 Samuel 15:29) – He is not affected by polls or special interest groups
- His word endures forever (1 Peter 1:24-25)
- What about the old law? … it changed (Colossians 2:14) – but that was prophesied as part of God’s plan (Jeremiah 31:31-34); no such prophecy in the New Testament (Jude 3)
Creation Proves the Power and Faithfulness of God (v. 90-91)
- God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3) – it continues “according to [His] ordinances” (v. 91; cf. Colossians 1:16-17)
- God promised that His providential care would continue after the flood (Genesis 8:22) – His care “throughout all generations” (v. 90) is a witness to Him (Acts 14:16-17)
- If the earth can stand as long as it has, we can trust God’s word to stand (v. 91)
- Why is this important to remember? … just as physical birth continues through God’s providence (Genesis 4:1; 1 Timothy 2:15), spiritual rebirth continues through His word (1 Peter 1:23); God continues to give life if we trust and obey; His ongoing care proves that we can trust Him
Forsaking God’s Word Leads to Destruction (v. 92)
- We need God’s word to protect us from the destruction that comes from following our own way (Proverbs 14:12)
- We need God’s word to protect us from the forces of evil that are against us (Ephesians 6:12-17)
- If we drift away from God’s word, we will not escape the penalty we deserve (Hebrews 2:1-4) – that penalty is spiritual death (Romans 6:23)
We Enjoy Stability As We Follow God’s Word (v. 93-95)
- Paul warned about being “carried about by every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14) – to prevent this, we go to God’s word (Ephesians 4:15); knowledge leads to maturity (Ephesians 4:13); so the Lord set up the church to help us know the word (Ephesians 4:11-12, 16)
- How we can enjoy stability despite the evil and turmoil that exists around us – never forget God’s precepts (v. 93), seek His precepts (v. 94), diligently consider His testimonies (v. 95)
- We have a firm foundation by following the Lord’s teachings (Matthew 7:24-27) – stand firm in the faith (1 Corinthians 16:13); hold to what was taught (2 Thessalonians 2:15)
God’s Word is Infinitely Better Than the Word of Man (v. 96)
- Man is on a never-ending quest to acquire knowledge (Ecclesiastes 1:13; 12:12; Acts 17:21; 2 Timothy 3:7) – there is a limit to what we can know (Proverbs 25:2; Deuteronomy 29:29)
- There is no limit with God (Romans 11:33; Psalm 147:5) – His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9); the foolishness of God is wiser than men (1 Corinthians 1:25)
- More than just God’s word being enduring, it is forever right (Psalm 119:160)
Conclusion
- With all of the turmoil that exists in the world, God’s word provides us with a solid foundation
- His word is “forever…settled in heaven” (v. 89) – we need to trust in God and believe and obey His word
