July 4, 2017
WHERE DOES YOUR TRUST LIE?
Psalm 119:41–48
Susan Williams
Central Truth
Waiting with hopeful expectation, keeping continually, seeking and following, grabbing ahold of, meditating or dwelling upon. These are the actions of a believer toward God’s Word that will result in unhindered trust in His “love letter” to His children.
Key Verse | Psalm 119:42
[F]or I trust in your word.
(Psalm 119:42b)
Psalm 119:41–48
Waw
41
Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD,
your salvation according to your promise;
42
then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
43
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my hope is in your rules.
44
I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever,
45
and I shall walk in a wide place,
for I have sought your precepts.
46
I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
and shall not be put to shame,
47
for I find my delight in your commandments,
which I love.
48
I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.
Dive Deeper | Psalm 119:41–48
After putting 200K miles on my car, I’ve learned to trust the manufacturer’s handbook to help me identify problems when those pesky warning lights appear and, more importantly, to tell me how to keep my vehicle running smoothly.
Thirty-eight years ago, some dear friends introduced my husband and me to the most important “manufacturer’s handbook” since Creation. These faithful disciplers loved and trusted God’s Word for every aspect of life. After we trusted in Christ, they immersed us in countless Bible studies. Studying God’s Word for several hours a week seemed a natural response to this new life God had given us.
Because these dear friends grounded us in Scripture, I developed a love for God’s Word and a trust in the Scriptures for “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). Even in trepidation or unwillingness to follow His plan, I knew His ways were right and the only way to peace. So I would prayerfully pursue His Word and Him until my will aligned with His. This transforming work of the Spirit resulted in MORE trust and MORE love of God and the Scriptures. Regardless of the mountains I faced (bitterness towards my father, marital challenges, raising teenagers, poor financial decisions, etc.), God’s Word always proved to be trustworthy.
The psalmist KNEW God. He knew His Word, ordinances, law, precepts, testimonies, commandments, statutes—all facets of God’s message to His people. The psalmist also kept it, walked it out, delighted in it, and dwelt upon it continually, giving him liberty and boldness when facing reproach or temptation. He could therefore confidently proclaim his trust in and love of the Scriptures for all of life, as evidenced throughout Psalm 119. Not one aspect of life is beyond the transformative power of God and His Word.
So many in the Church today are woefully unfamiliar with the Scriptures. When life’s challenges arise, they quickly put their trust in what is familiar to them from their culture—paid “professionals,” self-help programs, isolation from Truth and friends, masking the pain. When we put our trust in the One who is trustworthy and His Word, the Holy Spirit brings transformation and peace.
Discussion Questions
1.When facing challenges in life (personal, relational, circumstantial), where do you turn for resolution, help, and comfort?
2. If you find you turn to something other than God’s Word and prayer for answers, what do you think hinders your trust in God’s wisdom?
3. What would it take for you to fully trust the Scriptures as the true source for seeking wisdom, healing, and transformation?
4. What steps can you take today to begin to build a “mental warehouse” of treasure from God’s Word that would edify and strengthen you to grow in your trust of God and His Word throughout your life?