Guarding and Guiding

In this series of studies, we are looking at each of the twenty-two stanzas in Psalm 119. I believe this chapter will help us learn to traverse this New World we are facing in 2020 and beyond. Let's look at these verses.
 
Beth
               9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
                         By guarding it according to Your Word. 
            10 With my whole heart I seek You;
                         let me not wander from Your commandments!  
            11 I have stored up Your word in my heart,
                        that I might not sin against you.     
            12 Blessed are You, O LORD;
                        teach me Your statutes!                                      
            13 With my lips I declare
                        all the rules of Your mouth.            
            14 In the way of Your testimonies I delight
                        as much as in all riches.                       
            15 I will meditate on Your precepts
                        and fix my eyes on Your ways.                
            16 I will delight in Your statutes;
                        I will not forget your word.             
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ps 119:9–16). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
 
This stanza points out the various ways that help us endeavour to "Keep Pure".  Yes, we learned in the first eight verses that it is impossible to be perfect, but that should not deter us from striving to be our best. These verses give us strategies to help us to do just that.
 
Verse 9 instructs us to guard our way so that we can be pure. The word guard brings to mind soldiers standing at attention, ready to protect and defend the people and property within their charge. Guards are ready to fight off any enemy threatening harm. How do we guard against attacks from the enemy? Verses 10-16 point out some very effective tactics. 
 
Read these verses prayerfully several times. As you ponder this stanza the second time, underline, or take note of the words that indicate the writer’s passion as he wrote these words. It is hard to escape seeing how he deeply felt.  What emotions arise in you as you read these verses?
 
What actions did the writer take as a result of his deep love for God's Word?  Underline those in a different colour.
 
The writer found pure joy and delight in learning, meditating, memorizing and putting into practice what the Lord had taught him in God's Word.  It seems that the writer's heart was so full that he could not keep the truths of God's Word to himself. He had to share them with others. Verse 13 points out that: “With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.”
 
Today, amid this pandemic, we must share God's Word. There are many who need Christ, who is able to give them peace in this storm. As I write, God is speaking to me.  Sharing my faith does not come easily. Many of you can identify with my fear of rejection.  I hesitate sharing Christ face-to-face.  As an introvert, most of the time this isolation is not a problem for me.  I am searching my heart, asking the Lord to show me how to speak into the lives of others, because this does not come naturally to me.  How can I bring comfort and peace to those who are struggling? God has a different method for each of us. I believe it must start by finding the same joy and delight in God's Word that the writer of this Psalm found.  Once God's Word becomes the food we cannot live without, once it becomes our sustenance, we will not be able to keep it to ourselves. God will show each of us, how, by using our unique personalities and spiritual gifts, we can best share with others what it means to have a personal relationship with Him.
 
My prayer for you today is that:

• You will love God's Word passionately
• You will know God's peace, power, protection and presence each day 
• You will see the doors God opens for you to use your unique gifts and personality to share God's message with those He brings into your life

 
Guard your heart to be faithful to the Lord,
Guide others to know God’s love and forgiveness .