The Word Centred Life (Bet)
How can a believer live a God-honouring life in the midst of this impure and evil world. The answer is to this question is found in Psalm 119:9-16. The psalmist asks the same question (albeit rhetorically), “How can a young man keep his way pure?” The answer...by living according to the word of God.
A righteous life, pleasing to God, comes from a word centred life (119:9). To “keep” ones way is to protect, or safeguard your life from sin and impurity by directly applying the word of God to all the activities of your life. Guarding your life means directing your heart towards God and seeking to make His will central in everything you do. Without the Scriptures being central to our lives our hearts will wander away from God (119:10). The key to a holy and righteous life is storing up (treasuring) God’s word in our hearts. It is preserved there for appropriate use in the battle against temptation and sin (119:11)
Purity of life comes from a proper attitude towards God. In humility the psalmist requests that the Lord teach him His statutes (119:12). Before he makes this request of God he praises God and gives Him proper regard.
A God-honouring life comes from a mind that is dwelling constantly on the word of God (119:13-16). The psalmist life is one of constant recounting of the word of God (119:13). This is a natural result of treasuring God’s word in ones heart. The psalmist delights in God’s word more than the riches of this earth (119:14). He meditates on the Scriptures, and delights in them (119:15-16). He is determined to live out God’s commandments. Brethren, treasure God’s word more than anything else, live by it, and you will live a life pleasing to God.