Life From The Dust
Life From The Dust - Psalm 119:25-32
Dear CG Leaders,
Thank you for your kind encouragements concerning the series and the daily devotions. I am particularly thankful the devotions are meaningful for you and your CG members. I’m praying that God will grant us a passion for the blessed life in 176 days so that, at the end of it, we would choose no other way to live than according to God’s Word. But remember, as I demonstrated yesterday, the end is not knowing the Word, as important as that is. It is knowing God. Or, as Jesus said in John 17:3 “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”
I love the imagery of the Daleth section. The idea of dust, from which we came, and life is constantly pressing us back into, reminding us we are ‘but dust,’ only to have God save us from it; wow, that’s a powerful picture. A good word study would be to find all the places in the Bible where ‘dust’ is mentioned. I’ll do that. Perhaps you could also.
Well, I was so enthused about this concept that I did a quick study and came up with this as a quick overview -
Dust is where we started and where we end. Throughout the Bible, dust is the reminder that we are fallen, frail and finite (each of those words need expounding). Yet throughout Scripture, God delights in raising people from the dust. (What a story that is!) Verse 25 is our cry; the cry of every person who feels the weight of our weakness and mortality, who know that only the Bible can give us life, clear our dust-infested lungs to live well now, and eventually even raise us from the dead.
Oh my. I hope that study will develop into something much larger!
This is one of the reasons I love the Bible. Every word, every jot and every tittle deserve our whole hearts in study and surrender. It truly is the “unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph 3:8). I know you are already reading a lot but Thomas Brook’s book by that title is one to read! (.99 on Kindle).
Well, friends, that’s about all I can get to this Monday morning. I need to get ready for our Monday afternoon staff meeting. I hope your view of God and His Word this week is clear and precious to you. And pray for me, will you: “that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel…” (Eph 6:19). Here’s the outline for this Sunday -
Life from the Dust
Psalm 119:25–32
(Daleth)
Big Idea: When we, as God’s pilgriming people, are weak, weary, and near the dust, God uses his Word to revive, strengthen, teach, and direct them. This enables us to live the blessed life.
First: The Word Revives the Weary Soul (vv. 25–28)
a) My soul clings to the dust (v. 25)
Just thinking about this returns us to Eden and Adam’s creation. What a story!
b) Revive me according to your word (v. 25)
c) Teach me your statutes (v. 26)
d) Give me understanding (v. 27)
Per vs 25-27, dependence is one of the major themes of Psalm 119.
e) Strengthen me in my sorrow (v. 28)
What a great CG question. “How has God done this for you?” you could ask.
Second: The Word Directs the Faithful Heart (vv. 29–30)
a) Remove false ways from me (v. 29)
b) Graciously teach me your law (v. 29)
Notice vs 29a & b. He doesn’t create a vacuum. He fills it with God’s Word.
c) I have chosen the way of faithfulness (v. 30)
d) I set your rules before me (v. 30)
What a great testimony these two verses are. God has made us responsible, moral creatures who can and should choose him with every choice we make.
Third: The Word Enlarges the Obedient Life (vv. 31–32)
a) I cling to your testimonies (v. 31)
“Cling” will be a good word study,
b) Let me not be put to shame (v. 31)
“Shame” will be a good word study.
c) I will run in the way of your commandments (v. 32)
d) For you enlarge my heart (v. 32)
Conclusion: The pilgrim who was clinging to the dust in verse 25 is running in the way of God’s commandments by verse 32. God’s Word takes a weary soul, directs a faithful heart, enlarges it and enables its owner to lead an obedient life of blessing.
