In what ways can we seek God's guidance to "keep Your word"? Opening Verse “Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word.” (Psalm 119:17) What “Keep Your Word” Requires – Personal commitment to obey every revealed command – Ongoing reliance on God to illuminate and strengthen (Psalm 119:18, 105) – A life that reflects Scripture in belief, speech, and conduct (James 1:22) Why We Need His Guidance – Our hearts are prone to wander (Jeremiah 17:9) – Spiritual truth is spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14) – Only God imparts both the desire and the power to obey (Philippians 2:13) Ways to Seek God’s Guidance to Keep His Word • Saturate your mind with Scripture – Daily reading plans; slow meditation on passages (Joshua 1:8) – Memorize key verses to recall in temptation (Psalm 119:11) • Pray specifically for insight and obedience – Ask for wisdom (James 1:5) – Echo the psalmist: “Teach me, LORD, the way of Your statutes” (Psalm 119:33) • Trust and submit wholeheartedly – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart…He will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6) – Surrender decisions to His revealed will before acting (Romans 12:2) • Welcome the Spirit’s conviction – The Spirit guides “into all truth” (John 16:13) – Respond quickly when He exposes sin (Galatians 5:16-17) • Seek counsel from mature believers – God often guides through the wise (Proverbs 11:14) – Test all advice against Scripture as the final authority (Acts 17:11) • Cultivate a worshipful lifestyle – Gather with the church for Word-centered worship (Hebrews 10:24-25) – Use praise to keep your heart tender and receptive (Colossians 3:16) Practices That Strengthen Long-Term Obedience – Journal God’s answers and lessons learned – Fast periodically to sharpen spiritual focus – Serve others; obedience is reinforced in action (John 13:17) – Guard inputs—music, media, friendships—that shape desires (1 Corinthians 15:33) Encouragement from Other Scriptures • John 14:23 — “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word.” • 1 John 2:5 — “Whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him.” • Psalm 37:23 — “The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD.” Living Out Psalm 119:17 Today As we continually seek the Lord through His Word, prayer, and Spirit-led obedience, He deals bountifully with us—ordering our steps so that we not only know but faithfully keep His Word, reflecting His glory in every sphere of life. |
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