3 GOD S WORD GIVES COURAGE Who do you know who has acted with courage? QUESTION #1 #BSFLspoken BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 29
THE POINT Because of God s Word, I can stand in a world that opposes me. THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE Who doesn t love the beauty of palm trees swaying in the breeze on ocean beaches? But what s beautiful can sometimes be fragile. When you see news footage of hurricanes striking tropical towns, you ll likely see scores of palm trees once tall and majestic uprooted and thrown all around the beach. Yet in those same towns, you can probably find oak trees still standing tall. The difference is in the roots. Palm trees have shallow roots, while oaks have roots that go deep into the ground. In life, have you noticed how some people always seem to stand firm when the winds of opposition blow? Just like the trees, it all depends on their roots. Psalm 119 celebrates the sufficiency of God s Word to meet our every need. As we explore verses 17-24, we ll see that God s Word is sufficient to sustain us even in the most difficult times. Opposition surely will come, but when our roots go deep into God s Word, He strengthens us and gives us the courage to stand. 30 SESSION 3
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? Psalm 119:17-20 17 Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey your word. 18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. 19 I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me. 20 My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times. your servant. He also listed two fundamental characteristics that define the true servant of God: 1. True servants live the Word of God. The psalmist was a faithful servant of God, but he didn t ask God to deal with him based on the merits of his service. Instead, he prayed, Be good to your servant a request that reflects the grace, goodness, and generosity of the Master. His words remind us we have a benevolent Master to whom we can bring large petitions with great expectations. 2. True servants learn the Word of God. In verse 18, the psalmist petitioned God to Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. Many wonderful things abound throughout the pages of Scripture, but we ll miss them unless God opens our eyes to see them. Without the illumination of God s Spirit, we cannot understand what God has inspired (see 1 Cor. 2:14-16). The psalmist not only called himself God s servant, but also a stranger on earth a sojourner and pilgrim traveling through a foreign land on his way home. Life on this earth is fleeting and temporary; we are not here to stay. A time is coming when we will leave this world to go to our eternal home (see John 14:3). That s why Paul wrote that our citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20). This citizenship is about more than just our destination beyond this world; it s also about being set apart How would you summarize the psalmist s requests in these verses? QUESTION #2 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 31
THE POINT Because of God s Word, I can stand in a world that opposes me. in this world. Something should be different about people who have devoted themselves to God and His Word. Because when we are transformed, we no longer conform to the world (see Rom. 12:2). It s interesting that the psalmist neither prayed for safety on his pilgrimage nor for success in this world. He only prayed, do not hide your commands from me. He prayed that God would provide what a traveler needs most a good map, a true compass, and a sure path. In effect, the psalmist was asking God to illuminate his path (see Ps. 119:105). As strangers on earth, we need God s Word to keep us focused. Because when we focus on God s Word, He gives us the strength to stand courageously in a world where we don t belong. In what ways do Christians live as strangers in today s world? QUESTION #3 Psalm 119:21-22 21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed, those who stray from your commands. 22 Remove from me their scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall (Prov. 16:18). Their condition. They are under a curse. And this is a terrible curse, indeed: Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life (Gal. 6:7-8). Their conduct. They stray from your commands. Those who rebel against God s Word will face serious consequences: For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction (Ps. 1:6). 32 SESSION 3
The psalmist longed for protection from a number of enemies who were persecuting him. Fortunately, those enemies drove him to God. Apparently the psalmist wasn t experiencing physical threats. Instead, his enemies were targeting him with relational and emotional abuse. That s why he wrote: Remove from me their scorn and contempt. This reminds us that people don t have to hit you to hurt you. They can hurt you with lies, taunts, and insults. When the psalmist faced scorn and contempt, he prayed that the Lord would take it away from him. Similarly, when people mistreat us in today s world, we shouldn t take matters into our own hands. We don t need to respond in kind to those who persecute us. Instead, we can turn in trust to Christ and seek His deliverance. The good news is that God s Word will keep us focused on Him the One who delivers us and keeps us strong even as we face the harshest opposition. What are some appropriate responses when Christians face insult and contempt? QUESTION #4 BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 33
THE POINT Because of God s Word, I can stand in a world that opposes me. Psalm 119:23-24 23 Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees. 24 Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors. In verse 23, the psalmist revealed the source of his mistreatment. Clearly, he had enemies in high places. What would you do if you were in his predicament? Would you run in fear? Retaliate? Compromise? Or would you do what the psalmist did? Your servant will meditate on your decrees. No matter what others did or said, the psalmist focused his mind and heart on the Word of God. The psalmist could stand because he kept his focus on God s perspective. Fortunately for him (and for us), this focus on God s Word provided two additional benefits: 1. Delight. Your statutes are my delight. Verse 24 wasn t the first time the psalmist expressed joy over God s Word. He d already declared, I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches (v. 14) and I delight in your decrees (v. 16). It s important to see that the psalmist didn t base his joy on the material, temporary, or changing things of this world. Rather, he based his joy on the living, powerful, and unfailing Word of God. As a result, he was able to maintain his joy even in the midst of suffering. We, too, can find great joy and delight in the truth, wisdom, and promises of God s Word. 2. Direction. Your statutes they are my counselors. God s Word is our counselor, our guide, and our direction. The Scriptures counsel us in the way we should go and they will never lead us astray. All that remains is for us to take God at His word and trust Him. As Solomon wrote: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Prov. 3:5-6). When has God s Word been a counselor in your life? QUESTION #5 34 SESSION 3
STANDING STRONG Which of the following images best illustrates how the Bible helps you stand strong in a society that s increasingly opposed to God s will? What steps can you take this week to increase your reliance on God s Word? "Defend the Bible? I would just as soon defend a lion. Turn the Bible loose and it will defend itself." CHARLES SPURGEON BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 35
THE POINT Because of God s Word, I can stand in a world that opposes me. LIVE IT OUT How will you prepare now to take a stand on God s Word whenever necessary? Consider the following suggestions: Stand straight. Identify things you watch, read, or listen to that offer a different worldview than what God offers through His Word. Remove these negative influences as necessary. Stand together. As a group, identify Scriptures that have helped you stand courageously in the past. Post these Scriptures in your meeting place or share them online. Stand with others. People around you may be facing insult or contempt because of their decision to walk with Christ. Encourage them. Pray with them. Walk with them. Help them remain grounded on God s Word. You will experience persecution in this life. The good news is that you get to determine how you will respond. Will you be a palm tree or an oak? The choice is yours. My thoughts Share with others how you will live out this study: #BSFLspoken 36 SESSION 3