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The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 30:5-6 (HCSB)
⁵ Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. ⁶ Don’t add to His words, or He will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 119:97-104 (HCSB)
⁹⁷ How I love Your instruction! It is my meditation all day long. ⁹⁸ Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me. ⁹⁹ I have more insight than all my teachers because Your decrees are my meditation. ¹⁰⁰ I understand more than the elders because I obey Your precepts. ¹⁰¹ I have kept my feet from every evil path to follow Your word. ¹⁰² I have not turned from Your judgments, for You Yourself have instructed me. ¹⁰³ How sweet Your word is to my taste— [sweeter] than honey in my mouth. ¹⁰⁴ I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore I hate every false way.

My observation:

The writer of today’s Proverb may not have thought of himself as a wise man, but what he wrote in this Proverb convinces me that he was indeed a man who possessed wisdom. Notice the high view and reverence he had for the word of God.

Likewise, the Psalmist shared Agur’s view of the scriptures. Men like this that reverence and put their trust in God’s word find that they have a guiding light that will help them to navigate safely through this dark and dangerous world.

It is not easy to navigate your way through this world without the wisdom and strength that comes from God and his word. The lessons you can learn, and the wisdom you can gain from reading and obeying God’s word are priceless.

Psalm 119:97 (MSG)
Oh, how I love all you’ve revealed; I reverently ponder it all the day long.

Psalm 119:103 (MSG)
Your words are so choice, so tasty; I prefer them to the best home cooking.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I associate myself with the thoughts and expressions I have observed in your word today.

Father God, I so much depend upon your word to guide me through the many decisions I have to make each day. I can truly say with the hymn writer, “Without Jesus, I would surely fail”.

My song:

Guide Me, O Thou Gracious Savior (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/391

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 29:18 (ESV)
Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 119:89-96 (HCSB)
⁸⁹ Lord, Your word is forever; it is firmly fixed in heaven. ⁹⁰ Your faithfulness is for all generations; You established the earth, and it stands firm. ⁹¹ They stand today in accordance with Your judgments, for all things are Your servants. ⁹² If Your instruction had not been my delight, I would have died in my affliction. ⁹³ I will never forget Your precepts, for You have given me life through them. ⁹⁴ I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts. ⁹⁵ The wicked hope to destroy me, but I contemplate Your decrees. ⁹⁶ I have seen a limit to all perfection, but Your command is without limit.

My observation:

Today’s Proverb reminds us that there is a blessing for those who keep the law. The writer had a high view of the scriptures. The Psalmist would agree with this view.

Psalm 19:7 (HCSB)
The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise.

Notice what the Psalmist said in our focal passage, “Lord, Your word is forever; it is firmly fixed in heaven”.

I have heard it said, “God said it in his word, I believe it in my heart, and that settles it”. A closer look at this statement, and I would beg to differ. It is more biblically accurate to say, “God said it in his word, and that settles it”. That is what the Psalmist declares in our focal passage.

Yes, we need to believe God’s word. We can trust it because God said it, it is perfect, it is forever, and it is settled.

The purpose of Psalm 119 is to encourage and bless those who read it, sing it, pray it, and obey it. In so doing it will shape your character and your conduct.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the amazing power of the word of God to change, shape, and mold the lives of your people. Yes Lord, I believe.

My song:

Lord, Take My Life (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/ns/239

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 28:9 (HCSB)
Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law— even his prayer is detestable.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 119:81-88 (ESV)
⁸¹ My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. ⁸² My eyes long for your promise; I ask, “When will you comfort me?” ⁸³ For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes. ⁸⁴ How long must your servant endure? When will you judge those who persecute me? ⁸⁵ The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law. ⁸⁶ All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me! ⁸⁷ They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. ⁸⁸ In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

My observation:

The psalmist learned to very important lessons for living in this world with all of his problems and difficulties.

The first lesson was that there is a source of help that is greater and more dependable in the heavens above than anything he could ever find in the earth below.  The Psalmist knew that there was a God in heaven who loved and cared for him.

Psalm 33:13 (ESV)
The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man;

Isn’t it wonderful to know that God looks down from heaven and that he sees and knows everything that is happening in the lives of his beloved children.

The second lesson that the Psalmist learned was the important place of the Word of God in the life of God’s people. The Psalmist found hope and comfort in God’s word in the midst of his troubles and tribulations. He found God’s word to be faithful.

Looking up to God and looking into his word will reap the same provisions in your life if you will do what the Psalmist did.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so glad that you are a God who looks down from your throne in heaven, and that you know my thoughts and that you see my needs.

Father God, I am so glad that you speak to me through the bible, and that I have the privilege of communicating with you through prayer.

Lord, sometimes we need to just open your Word, so that we can see and remember your promises, and just cry out to you about our needs like the Psalmist did.

Psalm 119:86 (AMP)
All Your commandments are faithful and sure. [The godless] pursue and persecute me with falsehood; help me [Lord]!

My song:

Call on Jesus (Watch this video with lyrics by Hillsong):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pz8P96myUZk&feature=related

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 25:19 (HCSB)
Trusting an unreliable person in a difficult time is like a rotten tooth or a faltering foot.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 119:73-80 (HCSB)
⁷³ Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding so that I can learn Your commands. ⁷⁴ Those who fear You will see me and rejoice, for I put my hope in Your word. ⁷⁵ I know, Lord, that Your judgments are just and that You have afflicted me fairly. ⁷⁶ May Your faithful love comfort me as You promised Your servant. ⁷⁷ May Your compassion come to me so that I may live, for Your instruction is my delight. ⁷⁸ Let the arrogant be put to shame for slandering me with lies; I will meditate on Your precepts. ⁷⁹ Let those who fear You, those who know Your decrees, turn to me. ⁸⁰ May my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes so that I will not be put to shame.

My observation:

The Psalm for today reminded me of the Bill and Gloria Gaither song, “I Am Loved”. That song says, “The one who knows me best, loves me most”.

God has provided his people with a wonderful book about life. The bible has been described by one poet as the, “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth”.

The bible is a book that you can depend upon to manage all of the basic questions about life. In dealing with questions about life, the bible has it covered from A to Z. Before you turn to the self-help books at your local bookstore why not open your Bible and seek counsel from the one who knows you best, and loves you most?

Psalm 119:73 (NIV)
Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands.

How much better and richer our lives are when we know, obey, and delight in the Word of God. Why not try God’s way first? Does he not know best?

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for the Word of God. Lord, I am so grateful that you have provided us with this basic instruction book about life, how to live it, and manage it. Lord, help me to be more devoted to it, and to always seek its counsel first for dealing with issues about life, and how to live it more abundantly.

My song:

I Am Loved (Click on link below to watch video by The Gaither Vocal Band):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng46-UrsrB8

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 24:13-14 (HCSB)
¹³ Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your palate; ¹⁴ realize that wisdom is the same for you. If you find it, you will have a future, and your hope will never fade.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 119:65-72 (HCSB)
⁶⁵ Lord, You have treated Your servant well, just as You promised. ⁶⁶ Teach me good judgment and discernment, for I rely on Your commands. ⁶⁷ Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. ⁶⁸ You are good, and You do what is good; teach me Your statutes. ⁶⁹ The arrogant have smeared me with lies, but I obey Your precepts with all my heart. ⁷⁰ Their hearts are hard and insensitive, but I delight in Your instruction. ⁷¹ It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn Your statutes. ⁷² Instruction from Your lips is better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

My observation:

The subject of suffering is one that we never escape. It comes to the young and the old. Since we cannot escape it, the wisest thing to do is to prepare for it before it comes. Jesus taught his disciples and anyone that would listen to him that you could expect to have suffering in this world.

John 16:33 (HCSB)
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

The goodnews in the words of Jesus is that he has conquered the world. The goodnews about suffering is that you can overcome it.

In our focal passage for today the Psalmist found hope in God, and in the Word of God. If you plant the Word of God in your heart before the troubles come, you will find that it will return the blessing of comfort and peace when the time of suffering comes. The testimony of the Psalmist is that God always shows up. He is a promise keeping God, and he treats his servants well.

Here is another bit of goodnews that you can hide in your heart in preparation for the trying days or dreary nights that may be in your future. Remember, God will always be enough for your every need. There is no area in which he is lacking. Your problems are never too big for God’s hands.

Lamentations 3:17-24 (HCSB)
¹⁷ My soul has been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is. ¹⁸ Then I thought: My future is lost, as well as my hope from the Lord. ¹⁹ Remember my affliction and my homelessness, the wormwood and the poison. ²⁰ I continually remember [them] and have become depressed. ²¹ Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: ²² Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. ²³ They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! ²⁴ I say: The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I praise and thank you that you are an ever present God. Father, I am so thankful that I am never out of the sight, and out of the care of my all sufficient heavenly Father.

Father God, since suffering will come, I am thankful that I have available the provisions of a God who provides for his people in the time of suffering.

My song:

God will take Care of You (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/694

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 23:9 (HCSB)
Don’t speak to a fool, for he will despise the insight of your words.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 119:57-64 (HCSB)
⁵⁷ The Lord is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words. ⁵⁸ I have sought Your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise. ⁵⁹ I thought about my ways and turned my steps back to Your decrees. ⁶⁰ I hurried, not hesitating to keep Your commands. ⁶¹ Though the ropes of the wicked were wrapped around me, I did not forget Your instruction. ⁶² I rise at midnight to thank You for Your righteous judgments. ⁶³ I am a friend to all who fear You, to those who keep Your precepts. ⁶⁴ Lord, the earth is filled with Your faithful love; teach me Your statutes.

My observation:

In each of these sections of this Psalm we can find some service that the reading and obeying of the Word of God will provide for your life. The people that we associate with in life, and who we consider our friends are important.

Solomon, one of the wisest men of his time had something to say about this subject. In the Proverb he said:

Proverbs 13:20 (HCSB)
The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.

If you want to have a true friend, consider walking with wise people, people who share a love for God’s Word.

If you choose to walk with the unwise person, they will lead you to walk in the pathway of the wicked. That is the path to enslavement. Consider what walking with the wicked will get you.

Psalm 119:61 (MSG)
The wicked hemmed me in—there was no way out— but not for a minute did I forget your plan for me.

The wisest choice you can make in life is to choose friends who love God and who love and are devoted to God’s Word.

Psalm 119:63 (MSG)
I’m a friend and companion of all who fear you, of those committed to living by your rules.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for the service that the Word of God provides for the people of God who read it and heed it.

Father God, I thank you for the blessing it has been in my life to have friends who love You and who delight in and are devoted to the Word of God.

Lord, a friend who is in Thee and in Thy Word, is the type of friend that we would indeed benefit from having as our companion. Lord, give me friends who walk with Jesus.

Psalm 119:74 (HCSB)
Those who fear You will see me and rejoice, for I put my hope in Your word.

Psalm 119:79 (HCSB)
Let those who fear You, those who know Your decrees, turn to me.

My song:

I Have a Friend, Whose Faithful Love (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/156

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 22:2 (HCSB)
The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord made them both.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 119:49-56 (ESV)
⁴⁹ Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. ⁵⁰ This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. ⁵¹ The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law. ⁵² When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O Lord. ⁵³ Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law. ⁵⁴ Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning. ⁵⁵ I remember your name in the night, O Lord, and keep your law. ⁵⁶ This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept your precepts.

My observation:

There are some things that fall to you in life regardless of your status or class. There are some things in life that are common to all people. I have noticed that both the rich and the poor have troubles and afflictions in this world.

However, I have also found that there is a source of hope and comfort that is also available without cost to the poor and rich alike. The Psalmist found that in the midst of his darkest hours hope and comfort when he remembered God’s name, and the promises of God’s Word.

The God who gave hope and comfort to the Psalmist will give comfort to you if you remember what the Psalmist remembered.

Psalm 119:76 (ESV)
Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.

Psalm 119:92 (ESV)
If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you that you are the God of all comfort for the poor and the rich alike, for with you there is no distinction.

Father God, I am so grateful that when the days seem so long, and the nights so dark, that I know that there is a God in heaven who knows my name, and who loves and cares about me.

Lord, I pray that in my times of trouble and affliction that I will remember to call upon and rely upon God’s name and God’s promises. Lord, I declare my dependence upon Thee.

My song:

I Need Thee Every Hour (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/371

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 21:17 (HCSB)
The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 119:41-48 (HCSB)
⁴¹ Let Your faithful love come to me, Lord, Your salvation, as You promised. ⁴² Then I can answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in Your word. ⁴³ Never take the word of truth from my mouth, for I hope in Your judgments. ⁴⁴ I will always obey Your instruction, forever and ever. ⁴⁵ I will walk freely in an open place because I seek Your precepts. ⁴⁶ I will speak of Your decrees before kings and not be ashamed. ⁴⁷ I delight in Your commands, which I love. ⁴⁸ I will lift up my hands to Your commands, which I love, and will meditate on Your statutes.

My observation:

In every heart there is a legitimate desire for freedom. However, most people don’t see being devoted to and loving the Word of God as a source of freedom. The Psalmist found that being devoted to the Word of God reaped in his life the blessing of freedom.

Psalm 119:45 (HCSB)
I will walk freely in an open place because I seek Your precepts.

This freedom was so precious to the Psalmist that he prayed that the Lord would never take the word of truth from his mouth.

Psalm 119:43 (HCSB)
Never take the word of truth from my mouth, for I hope in Your judgments.

The blessing of freedom that the Psalmist received is available to each of us. The Word of God is truth, and the truth shall set you free. Listen to what Jesus said about this.

John 8:32 (HCSB)
You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the freedom that is found in having a personal relationship with Jesus.

John 14:6 (HCSB)
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Father God, I am thankful for the desire that you have placed in my heart that gives me a love for the Word of God, and the desire and the power to obey the Word.

Father God, this song is my love song to you in gratitude for all that Jesus has done for me.

My song:

Lord, Jesus, I Love You (You’re My All) (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/ns/231

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 18:10 (HCSB)
The name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 119:33-40 (HCSB)
³³ Teach me, Lord, the meaning of Your statutes, and I will always keep them. ³⁴ Help me understand Your instruction, and I will obey it and follow it with all my heart. ³⁵ Help me stay on the path of Your commands, for I take pleasure in it. ³⁶ Turn my heart to Your decrees and not to material gain. ³⁷ Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless; give me life in Your ways. ³⁸ Confirm what You said to Your servant, for it produces reverence for You. ³⁹ Turn away the disgrace I dread; indeed, Your judgments are good. ⁴⁰ How I long for Your precepts! Give me life through Your righteousness.

My observation:

If you are looking for the most important way you could spend your time, you can find no better value than the time you spend in the Word of God.

The bible is a source of refuge and strength for those who would turn their eyes from worthless things, and turn their eyes to the precious Word of God.

Psalm 119:37 (HCSB)
Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless; give me life in Your ways.

If you pray the prayer that the Psalmist prayed, you will never regret it. When you look back over a life of being devoted to the bible and the God of the bible, you will be able to join with the Apostle Paul in his testimony.

Philippians 3:7-9 (HCSB)
⁷ But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. ⁸ More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith.

My prayer:

Father God, my dear Father, I delight to pray the prayer of the Psalmist, “Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless; give me life in Your ways.”

Father God, lead and guide me as I read the scriptures to look full into the face of Jesus, and allow the light of his glory and grace to shine into my needy life.

My song:

Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/645

The Word for wisdom:

Proverbs 17:24 (HCSB)
Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive, but a fool’s eyes roam to the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 17:27 (HCSB)
The intelligent person restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head is a man of understanding.

The Word for inspiration:

Psalm 119:25-32 (HCSB)
²⁵ My life is down in the dust; give me life through Your word. ²⁶ I told You about my life, and You listened to me; teach me Your statutes. ²⁷ Help me understand the meaning of Your precepts so that I can meditate on Your wonders. ²⁸ I am weary from grief; strengthen me through Your word. ²⁹ Keep me from the way of deceit and graciously give me Your instruction. ³⁰ I have chosen the way of truth; I have set Your ordinances [before me]. ³¹ I cling to Your decrees; Lord, do not put me to shame. ³² I pursue the way of Your commands, for You broaden my understanding.

My observation:

The Psalmist delighted in the Word of God, and it was of great benefit to him. Notice what he said in the last verse of the above section.

One of the reasons why people lack wisdom is because they do not ask for it, and their hearts and their hands are not open to receive it. The Lord is the source for all that you need to have wisdom.

Proverbs 2:6 (HCSB)
For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Could your issue be that knowledge is not attractive to you? One of the sources of wisdom is knowledge; the other source of wisdom is to have understanding. Does reading the bible delight you? Without knowledge you can’t have wisdom.

Proverbs 2:10 (HCSB)
For wisdom will enter your mind, and knowledge will delight your heart.

The bible will provide you with the instructions you need about life. The God of the bible is the source of real life. You may be at a point in your life like the Psalmist. You may be weary and carrying around a heavy heart. However, even when you are so low that you are in the dust, there is hope for you in the Word of God. Isn’t it about time to have a talk with Jesus, and discover or rediscover the life that the Lord can give you? As the hymn writer said, “Look and Live”.

My prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I praise and thank you for the help and the strength that comes from hearing a word from the Lord for our needy souls.

Father God, I pray that those who are spiritually hungry and their lives are in the dust, that you would revive them from the dust, and restore them to real life.

My song:

Look and Live (Click on link below for lyrics and midi):

http://biblestudycharts.com/SH_Look_And_Live.html