The Longest Chapter

WE ARE NOW OFFICIALLY HALF WAY THROUGH THE BIBLE EVERYBODY!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! GOD IS VERY PLEASED WITH YOU!!!

We had a fantastic start to this chapter yesterday with Jaybrena and today we are going to finish up on this chapter...yes, the SAME chapter of the book of Psalms. This is in fact the longest chapter in the entire Bible (by the way, did you remember to pay particular attention to the EXACT halfway verse in the Bible, Psalm 118:8?). One of my commentaries calls this chapter a "devotional on the word of God". This is a perfect summary for what this chapter is all about! That same commentary also says that the author focuses on two aspects of the Word:

1) God's directions for life.

2) God's promises - one calling for obedience and one calling for faith.

The author uses eight Hebrew terms provided for him by Old Testament traditions: law, statutes, precepts, commands/commandments, ordinances, decrees, word, and promise. This Psalm is also unique in that it is supposed to be read rather than sung or recited. And as Jaybrena said yesterday, this Psalm is an acrostic using each letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

This Psalm is so jam-packed with treasures that it is hard to pick things out to highlight...a true "jackpot" in the middle of the Bible! Verses 89-90 again talks about the eternal nature of God and all that He touches, including His Word, His faithfulness, and His creation. We are granted such peace through the promise that all of these things are eternal! They NEVER change and they last forever and ever! In a world where things are constantly changing, this brings us immense security and peace.

Verse 105 of this Psalm is one of the most well-known and beloved of all Psalms. It is one of the greatest analogies in all of the Bible. We need God's Word to help show us the way we should travel, to help show us the directions we need to turn, and to provide light for our lives. Without this "Lamp" we are groping around in the darkness, stumbling, tripping, and falling. Remember, this path is not what WE want it to be, but what God, in His sovereignty and wisdom, has determined what our path should be. On His lighted path, there is no danger and there are not traps set for us. There is only protection and joy. Does this mean that we will not face any trials while on His path for our lives? Absolutely not! We will face many tough and life-altering situations while on this path, but we can face them WITH the love and help of the Lord. And we can have joy during these difficult times, because as we are learning through Pastor Chris' sermons, our joy is NOT determined by our circumstances but by WHOSE we are and WHO is in control of our lives. This is a VERY hard concept to learn and to live...it took me almost 35 years to get this one down!

Verse 133 goes right along with verse 105. The Psalmist is petitioning God to direct His footsteps according to His Word. Sometimes, God is just waiting for us to acknowledge that we need Him to direct our path. He is waiting for us to ask Him to SHOW us that path. We need to be BOLD in our prayers and ask God for this! Come boldly before the throne and ASK Him! We also need to BOLDLY ask God to not let any sin have control of our lives. As we all know, sin can so easily ensnare us and hold us captive to its ways. We must ask for protection from the enemy and from our own flesh. And it is NEVER too late to ask this of God, even if we are in the midst of a trap of sinfulness. ASK HIM!!!

In verse 160, the Psalmist talks about the truth of God's Words. TRUTH, what is it? Is it whatever each individual person wants it to be? NO!!! It is God's Word and everything contained therein. It is Jesus Himself. John 14:6 is Jesus saying, "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Light. No one comes to the Father except through me." That is Truth and Truth eternal! Do you know The Truth that comes with everlasting life? If you do, do you let that Truth set you free from strongholds that would threaten to keep you a prisoner?

So, we are now halfway through the Bible and we have just completed the longest chapter of the Bible. Is your light shining? Have you been transformed by completion of half of God's eternal Truth, His Word? Jesus said:

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:16 (NIV)