Preserve My Life

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Preserve My Life

Date: Oct. 9, 2016

Passage

Psalm 119:137-160 (ESV)

Tsadhe

137   Righteous are you, O LORD,
    and right are your rules.
138   You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness
    and in all faithfulness.
139   My zeal consumes me,
    because my foes forget your words.
140   Your promise is well tried,
    and your servant loves it.
141   I am small and despised,
    yet I do not forget your precepts.
142   Your righteousness is righteous forever,
    and your law is true.
143   Trouble and anguish have found me out,
    but your commandments are my delight.
144   Your testimonies are righteous forever;
    give me understanding that I may live.

Qoph

145   With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD!
    I will keep your statutes.
146   I call to you; save me,
    that I may observe your testimonies.
147   I rise before dawn and cry for help;
    I hope in your words.
148   My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,
    that I may meditate on your promise.
149   Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
    O LORD, according to your justice give me life.
150   They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
    they are far from your law.
151   But you are near, O LORD,
    and all your commandments are true.
152   Long have I known from your testimonies
    that you have founded them forever.

Resh

153   Look on my affliction and deliver me,
    for I do not forget your law.
154   Plead my cause and redeem me;
    give me life according to your promise!
155   Salvation is far from the wicked,
    for they do not seek your statutes.
156   Great is your mercy, O LORD;
    give me life according to your rules.
157   Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
    but I do not swerve from your testimonies.
158   I look at the faithless with disgust,
    because they do not keep your commands.
159   Consider how I love your precepts!
    Give me life, O LORD, according to your steadfast love.
160   The sum of your word is truth,
    and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) is adapted from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. All rights reserved.

For information on how the ESV can be quoted, please visit our permission site.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 119:149

Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
O LORD, according to your justice give me life.

First, God's promises are trustworthy (137-144). God is righteous and faithful. His promises are fully trustworthy. Our zeal wears out-and wears us out-but God's word lasts forever. His promises have been thoroughly tested by many believers throughout history, and they are true. Even when trouble and distress come, God's word gives peace.

Second, I put my hope in your word (145-160). God's promises and commands are true and eternal. Even in the long watches of the night, when God seems far away, he is near and ready to help us. When we call on him, he is there. He preserves life according to his word (149, 154, 156, 159). He loves those who love and trust and obey his word. Salvation is far from those who despise the word of God, who devise wicked plans instead of following God's word. But all God's words are true, and all his laws are eternal. Faithless people do not obey God's word. They cannot be saved. But the lives of those who call on the Lord for help will be preserved according to his promise.

Prayer: Lord, you are my hope and my salvation. Help me to obey your eternal word and have life.

One Word: The Lord preserves life

Solomon’s Fame and Wealth

2 Chronicles 9:1-31

Key Verse: 9:8

Today's Question

See answer and references