Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way. (Psalm 119:34–37—NKJV)

There are not many “sure things” in life. Actually, there is nothing “sure” about life except death and taxes, so they say. Sure bets, sure bargains, and sure deals all seem to quickly turn to ashes in your hands. The same is true of new year’s resolutions, good intentions, and the “best laid plans of mice and men.” One does not have to live very long before ugly realities force their way in upon happy dreams and blissful ignorance.

With ample verification of this reality every day, what makes a believer say with any confidence that he will live for Christ for the rest of his days? Notorious examples of failure in resolution are precisely the reason that unsaved individuals laugh a believer to scorn when he seeks to stand for Christ. The world has seen religious men fall before. Many men have fallen from a high pedestal.

Does God make any provision for His children in order to prevent their failure? Are there practical tools available for every saint to persevere, endure, and to finish well in the faith? Indeed there are! Psalm 119 is known as the longest chapter in the Bible and it has one main theme—the relationship of the saint to the Word of God. The section we are seeking to uncover today is verses 33 to 40. It concerns the equipping of the saint to bring glory to God for the duration of life. It is David’s prayer for assistance to overcome.

A quick review of the verbs shows both desperation and desire at the same time. “Teach, give, make, incline (bend), turn, establish (cause to stand), and revive” are words of action and force. Each verse is packed with secrets for a stout, healthy faith. The believer who will prevail in this life must be assured in his faith, stand up in assuring others of his faith, and display to the world authentic, sure faith. He will plead before God and will:

  • Receive clear guidance for obedience (verse 33). “Teach” means to point out, to throw. God’s teaching in the Word is to give definitive instruction, not hopeful suggestions. Approach the Bible with a keen ear to learn and a desire to obey. Treasure and guard its truth to the end (uttermost).
  • Engage his mind (34). Understanding is discernment?—?which only grows by active mental exertion and practical experience. Only consistent, faithful living becomes whole-hearted obedience.
  • Have steady steps in familiar paths (35). A confident stride comes from surety of purpose, as directed by the Leader, on familiar ground. Great delight comes from knowing what you are about.
  • Grow a spiritual heart language (36). Just as the culture of your childhood gives you your “heart language,” so the divine bending (incline) of your heart by faithful submission to the Word preserves you from the grasping, never satisfied, hunger of men (love of gain, unjust gain, plunder; i.e., covetousness).
  • Keep a focused eye (37). The eye is the fountain. Worthless (hollow and false) things abound. The saint’s prayer must be that God will cause the believer’s eye to pass over the worthless things of dim luster and cause his eye to alight on what is brilliantly lasting and true. Reviving, clear vividness is found in God’s words.
  • Treasure the gift of the dynamic Word (38). God has caused His Word to stand (establish). It is energy itself for living a life of reverential worship.
  • Anchor his perspective firmly in the mercy and goodness of God (39). Take advantage of your heavenly Shield and Fortress in the battles and storms of life.
  • Be revived. Nothing revives like the cool, refreshing spring of God’s Word (40). His righteousness preserves, recharges, refreshes, rejuvenates, and reinvigorates the thirsty soul.

Take courage in the sufficiency of Christ and be fearless over the long haul of life. He will cause you to overcome. Trust and obey.