Psalm 119:76: A WORD-SHAPED LIFE (Part 2)

Bobby Howell

Psalm 119 • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

Psalm 119:76–77

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The second part of a Word-Shaped Life, addressing the two concerns of comfort and life

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Psalm 119:76: A WORD-SHAPED LIFE (Part 2)

This evening we continue our examination of a Word-Shaped Life as presented in Psalm 119:73-80. In our previous sermon, we examined the need for living a Word-Shaped Life.

Our goals, as created image bearers of God, is to live a life that glorifies God. Consider the very first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, a document used since the mid 1600s to train up individuals to live a Word-Shaped Life,

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Q: What is the chief end of man?

A: Man’s chief end is to glorify God,* and to enjoy Him forever.^

(*Psalm 86:9; Isaiah 60:21; Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Corinthians 10:31; and Revelation 4:11; ^Psalm 16:5-11; 144:15; Isaiah 12:2; Luke 2:10; Philippians 4:4; and Revelation 21:3-4)

If we are to live a life that glorifies our Creator, it is imperative that we understand Who He is and how to bring Him glory. Last week we established that this knowledge of Who God is and how we can bring Him glory is found in the Holy Scriptures.

Last we we saw how living a Word-Shaped Life acknowledged God as Creator, thus positioning ourselves in humility as we ask God for help in learning His Word. We also saw that a Word-Shaped Life encouraged other believers. Then we ended our time by observing that a Word-Shaped Life filters all of life through a God-focused lens. That is, when we live a Word-shaped life, even afflictions are seen as given under the sovereign and good hand of our loving Father.

Continuing our examination of Psalm 119, we come to the next two verses. These two verses engage our both our comfort and our life. That is to say, they concern from where we receive our comfort and from whence we get our life. The psalmist provides the context for both of these directly in the Word of God.

As we have learned from this psalm, God’s Word is sufficient for all of our needs. That word sufficient is common in church circles, but I think it might be helpful to provide a working definition, because this psalm presents God’s Word as sufficient.

The sufficiency of God’s Word could be described as,

“The sufficiency of Scripture is the sole-ability to meet all of mankind’s needs, provide answers to all his questions, and to demonstrate the way to live a life that honors God.”

Think about WD-40. This compound serves a variety of needs, for loosening tight lug nuts to lubricating axels, from removing crayon from wallpaper to cleaning shower heads, it almost seems as if there is nothing that WD-40 cannot do. It is a sufficient chemical that answers the needs of many items around the house.

On a infinitely higher level, though, God’s Word meets all our needs, provides answers to all our questions, and demonstrates the way to live a life that honors God. Thus, it is imperative that we live a Word-Shaped Life.

A WORD-SHAPED LIFE DRAWS COMFORT FROM GOD AS REVEALED IN THE WORD- Psalm 119:76

Living a Word-Shaped Life draws comfort from the Word of God. That is, God’s Word provides comfort during difficult times.

There are several implications of this idea, of which we will now examine.

I. THE PSALMIST EXPERIENCED A DISCOMFORTING SITUATION

The first implication from this verse is that the psalmist was in the midst of a discomforting situation. Now, we have no idea what the situation was specifically, nor do we need to know.

We all experience times in which we are faced with discomforting situations. We get a bad report from the doctor, our child is running away from the Lord, our car breaks down, we stub our toe, we lose a job, a family member passes away, and the list could go on and be as varied as the grains of sand on the seashore.

What situation are you experiencing right now? No doubt, all of us are affected in some shape or form from the coronavirus pandemic. With the heavy loss of jobs, the many deaths, and the different way of life, we are experience discomfort.

What unmet expectations do you have that leave you in discomfort? What needs do you have that you feel are not fulfilled? The psalmist, like us, experienced discomfort.

Before we move on, let me say that we can face two dangers in relation to discomfort.

A. We can ignore the discomfort in stoic fashion, overlooking the lessons that God is teaching us.

One danger we face when dealing with discomfort is that we ignore it. We attempt to simply live in the midst of it, without giving it much attention or treating it seriously.

There is great danger in this method. Think of your hand being placed on a stove burner. If the burner is on, there will be a burning pain running through your hand, transmitting to your brain the fact that this hurts and is causing damager. To ignore this pain would bring out the damage of nerves and eventually the loss of your hand.

Likewise, God uses discomfort to get our attention. At times, it is to bring attention to sin in our lives. At other times, it is to reorient our focuses. Regardless of the purpose, to ignore the discomfort is unwise.

B. We can focus exclusively on the discomfort in an obsessive way, neglecting others in our lives.

The second danger we face when dealing with our discomfort is to focus on it exclusively. We can, and I would say most of us tend to be of this flare, focus primarily on our own discomfort.

Thinking of the pain analogy, pain is our body’s way of telling us that something is wrong. When we get a splinter, it hurts, but it is not significant pain. It is a slight reminder that there is a foreign object lodged in our skin and that it needs to be removed. Now, though it is pressing to remove it to eliminate any potential infections, it is not a dire situation.

Focusing exclusively on our pain in with the splinter, we can miss out on the fact that our neighbor’s spouse just passed away. We neglect their pain because we are so gripped by our own.

We must avoid both of these dangerous tendencies, and instead follow the psalmist’s lead and allow God to use these discomforting situations to help us grow.

C. We can endure the discomfort while trusting our sovereign, good Father in Heaven to use it for His glory and our good.

While the psalmist does not mention this specifically in our passage, we know that, when compared to Romans 8:28-29 that God has a purpose for everything that comes into our lives. While our entire lives are meant to bring this gracious God glory, we know this includes our discomfort. But, when we lived a Word-Shaped Life, we begin to see all things, even discomforting things, as tools in the hands of the Almighty Potter.

II. THE PSALMIST TURNED TO HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD FOR COMFORT

In this midst of this discomforting relationship, where did the psalmist turn? He turned to his relationship with God. He realized that God provided comfort, true and lasting comfort.

This leads us to ask, where do we turn to hen we are discomforted? We routinely turn to everything but God.

Like Adam turning to the fruit, or like Cain turning to anger, or like Israel turning to Egypt, or like David turning to Bathsheba, or like the disciples turning to fear, we turn to everything but God.

For example, we turn to entertainment to be distracted from boredom. We turn to caffein to help us stay awake because we did not get enough sleep, and then we turn to melatonin and sleeping pills to help us go to sleep.

We turn to pills to help us be happy, then we turn to pills to help slow us down and not be so energetic. We turn to sex for fulfillment, believing the lie of our society that it is the ultimate aim of existence.

We turn to politicians in the hopes that they will restore America to its former days of glory. We turn to the news to know how to understand what is going on in the world. We turn to talk-shows to know how to relate to others.

We turn to sports to find relationships and meaning. We turn to our children, thinking they will provide fulfillment.

We could go on and on, and with each one of us we have different pulls. James tells us, in connection with sin specifically, that we are all drawn away by our “own” lusts, that is, by desires that are unique to us (see James 1:14)

Where does the psalmist turn? He turns to his relationship with God. He realizes that God is meets the all of his needs, answers all of his questions, and that God demonstrates how to live a life that brings glory to Himself.

This is all encapsulated in the word: lovingkindness (also translated as loyal love and steadfast love).

Lovingkindness means “kindness, lovingkindness in condescending to the needs of his creatures.”

God’s love, when considered upon the knowledge of Who He is, is beyond compare and understanding. It is demeaning to the love of God to say that it boggles the mind. The words of an older hymn captures this thought well,

Could we with ink the ocean fill And were the skies of parchment made Were every stalk on earth a quill And every man a scribe by trade

To write the love of God above Would drain the ocean dry Nor could the scroll contain the whole Though stretched from sky to sky

The Love of God, Frederick Martin Lehman

When faced with this discomfort, the psalmist turned to his relationship with God, falling on the limitless love of God. Brothers and sisters, we would do well to follow his lead, forsaking all other empty promises of hope, fulfillment, and comfort and falling into the arms of the infinite, loving God.

III. THE PSALMIST EXPECTED COMFORT FROM GOD AND HIS WORD

Now, as the psalmist experienced discomfort he turned to his relationship with God, he expected comfort. He prayed that God would comfort him. He sought relief, an easing of his trials.

Through God we can experience comfort in a variety of ways. Just as our children as for things, we do not always give them everything they want. My kids are constantly asking for candy, even before dinner. As a parent, I know that if they eat the candy before dinner they will not want it, and they will miss out on those important nutrients needed to develop and grow.

Likewise, they may ask for something for which they are not ready. For instance, my oldest child recently learned how to ride a bike. But before she really mastered that she wanted a skateboard. She isn’t ready for a skateboard (neither are her mom and dad!).

So, I think it would be beneficial for us to examine what comfort often looks like from the Scriptures, because if we are not careful we will force our own ideas of what comfort is and miss out on the blessings God provides.

A. Comfort often comes in ways that we do not understand at the present- Genesis 50:20

Comfort often comes in ways that we do not understand at the present. Think of Joseph, one of twelve sons, who experienced hatred at the hands of his step-brothers. He was sold into slavery and even when doing what was right experienced unjust treatment.

Now, we know from Scripture that Joseph enjoyed a close relationship with God (Genesis 39:2, 21, 23). We can safely assume that Joseph prayed to God for deliverance, and yet deliverance never came. Did God answer Joseph’s prayers? Was Joseph comforted in this matter?

I believe Joseph demonstrated a wonderful trust and faith in God, one that I would love to learn to emulate. Consider the words of John Calvin, after whom we have named our newborn son,

“Had Joseph kept his thoughts fixed on the treachery of his brethren, he never could have resumed fraternal affection for them. But turning toward the Lord, he forgot the injury, and was so inclined to mildness and mercy, that he even voluntarily comforts his brethren, telling them, “Be not grieved nor angry with yourselves that ye sold me hither; for God did send me before you to preserve life.” “As for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good,” (Gen. 45:5; 50:20.).”— John Calvin

While there are no prayers recorded in Scripture, any other individual who has the phrase “The Lord was with...” usually typifies a prayerful dependence upon God. God answered Joseph’s prayer, but it was not something he grasped during his discomforting situations. It was only after those situations that God’s answer of comfort became apparent.

B. Comfort often comes in spite of discomfort- 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Comfort often comes in spite of discomfort. This is one of many truths that separates the believer from the unbeliever, that, even in the midst of pain and suffering, believers can have comfort.

Consider the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. We do not know what this “thorn in the flesh” is, but we do know that God promised to give Paul grace. He answered Paul’s prayer, but not in the way Paul expected.

And what was Paul’s response to this answer? “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” (12:9)

We, so often, would gladly give away the power of Christ to enjoy a brief moment of comfort. God gives comfort, but it often comes in spite of discomfort, all for the greater purpose of glorying God.

C. Comfort often comes in incredible displays of God’s unrivaled power- Daniel 3:16-30

The account of the three Hebrew children’s incredible trust of God illustrates the truth that God often provides comfort in incredible displays of His unrivaled power. In a way that proved to Nebuchadnezzar of God’s power, God delivered Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael from death.

Comfort, at times, comes in incredible displays of God’s unrivaled power. Think of instances where someone is diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and given a few months to live. Then in another scan the cancer is completely gone. Now, it is possible that the doctors’ misdiagnosed it, stranger things have no doubt occured. But we also know that God has unrivaled power, and there are times when He provides comfort by displaying that power.

D. Comfort often comes through our brothers and sisters in Christ- Acts 15:36, 41

Another way God comforts His children is through other brothers and sisters in Christ. Consider this account of the early church. She had endured persecution from religious and even secular leaders. During this time God sent Paul and Barnabas (and Silas afterwards) to strengthen the churches. They comforted through means fixing the church on its basis.

God often uses our brothers and sisters to comfort us. This is one of the many benefits (and uses) of the church. This is the precise idea Paul discussed in Ephesians 4:16. God designed us to be in relationship, not only with His Triune self, but also with other believers.

And, as we seek comfort from God, God will often provide it through His people and His Word.

E. Comfort always comes through the Word of God- 119:76

“According to Your Word to Your servant,” the psalmist prays. That is, the psalmist knew that comfort would come through the Word of God. Notice, too, Psalm 119:92, “If Your law had not been my delight, Then I would have perished in my affliction.”

Comfort always comes through the Word of God, and living a Word-Shaped Life is dependent upon the Word of God. The psalmist prayed according to this truth.

True comfort only comes through the Word of God. That is a fact of Scripture. The prayer for comfort stems from a dependence upon God’s revealed Word. We pray to the God of heaven because we have His Word and know Him to be true. We pray, knowing that God works in and through the prayers of His people. We receive comfort, because as God has comforted people in His Word, we know that He will also comfort us.

IV. THE PSALMIST TYPIFIES THE SON OF GOD

As we have looked at this verse and observed how a Word-Shaped Life draws comfort from God and His Word, we would be remiss not to think about the precious Son of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Jesus lived a Word-Shaped life as none other did. Unique to the Son of God, as He read the Scriptures (what we call the Old Testament), He would be reading of His impending torture and death.

In his chapter on Christ’s Reading, Mark Jones describes this knowledge of Christ,

“Indeed, as several theologians have observed, the prospect of Christ’s future sufferings was a perpetual Gethsemane for him”—Mark Jones, Knowing Christ, 88

So, how did Christ live and function, knowing of what His end would be? Christ lived a Word-Shaped Life, drawing comfort from God and His Word.

In the face of temptation, Christ quoted the Word of God (see Matthew chapter 4 and Luke chapter 4).

He based His ministry on the Word of God (see Matthew 13:10-17, where parables were used to avoid greater condemnation on His hearers). His teachings were based on the Word of God (see the sermon on the mount in Matthew chapters 5-7, look at the cross references).

Even as Christ faced His coming death, living a Word-shaped life that drew comfort from God and His Word also provided the knowledge that He would rise again and would reign forever and ever. Again, Mark Jones reminds us that,

“As the Psalms highlight the various traumas eh would experience, they equally emphasize his ultimate victory over his enemies....As the God-man, he knew that he would reign comprehensively, judiciously, and eternally.”—Mark Jones, Knowing Christ, 89

CONCLUSION

So, what discomfort are you facing? Unmet expectations? Chronic pain? A severed relationship?

What are you turning to for comfort? Or, to whom are you turning for comfort? Answering these questions, in accordance with our Scripture before us, will enable us to live a Word-Shaped Life that Draws Comfort from God and His Word.

Christian, the painful lesson of discomfort often reminds us that the comfort we seek is not what God desires to provide. Remember,

Comfort often comes in ways that we do not understand at the present

Comfort often comes in spite of discomfort

Comfort often comes in incredible displays of God’s unrivaled power

Comfort often comes through our brothers and sisters in Christ

Comfort always comes through the Word of God

Perhaps you have never followed Christ. This psalm is addressed to “Your servant,” that is, a follower of God. But, though you may not follow Christ now, you may be in the throws of discomfort.

God often uses that to draw your heart to Himself. He shows you, in His gracious love, how unfulfilling and meaningless life without Him is. He rips away the insignificant pleasures and minute joy that comes from this life, showing you something far better: God Himself.

These all are tools to point you to His infinite holiness, and like many others in Scripture you need to recognize that you are a sinful being worthy of His judgment. You, in sin, have offended His perfection and stand under His righteous wrath. But if you want to live a Word-Shaped Life that draws comfort from God and His Word rather than fear and judgment, look no further than the Son of God.

You see, He lived a Perfect, Word-Shaped Life, because you and I never could. And, as we mentioned, Jesus suffered and died on the cross. But why? Isaiah 53:5 answers that question, “But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scouring we are healed.”

Jesus took the punishment sinners deserved, and when we by repenting (turning around) of our sins and placing our faith in His sacrifice, believe, we can be saved (Rom. 10:13).

Living a Word-Shaped Life means drawing comfort from God and His Word. Are you living this Word-shaped life?

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