Study of Psalm 119. Psalm 119:5

This continues the study of Psalm 119.  (Start the series here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2017/09/study-of-psalm-119-psalm-1191.html)

God Provides (by Rhonda Sawtelle)
Psalm 119: God's Word....

vs. 3–5: Provides Direction

Oh, that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes! Psalm 119:5

O that: my wish is that; O! would that!
Ways: of moral action and character
Directed: in moral sense, be directed aright, faithfulness
To Keep: Keep: take heed to self, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; to protect, be circumspect
Statutes: commandment

Oh, that every part of my life would remain in line with what You require! Psalm 119:5 (VOICE)

What is your wish? What do you dream of? The best wish would be that we live a life pleasing and honoring God. 

As I studied that meaning of the words in Psalm 119:5, the word "Faithfulness" stood out. How I would personally translate Psalm 119:5 "My desire is that I'd be faithful to obey God's Word." 

Faithful. Faithfully obey God. 

Faithful:1. strict or thorough in the performance of duty: a faithful worker.2. true to one's word, promises, vows, etc.3. steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant: faithful friends.4. reliable, trusted, or believed.http://www.dictionary.com/browse/faithful?s=t

What good is having directions, if you don't follow them? God clearly states what we are to do and how we are to live. Want true happiness and joy? Then be faithful to the obedience to His Word. 

Study of Psalm 119. Psalm 119:4

This continues the study of Psalm 119.  (Start the series here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2017/09/study-of-psalm-119-psalm-1191.html)

God Provides (by Rhonda Sawtelle)
Psalm 119: God's Word....

vs. 3–5: Provides Direction

You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently. Psalm 119:4

You: God 
Commanded: give a charge
Keep: take heed to self, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. Guard; to protect, be circumspect
Precepts: a mandate of God; (plural only, collectively, for the Law) -- commandment
Diligently: up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly

Our lives are filled with situations and circumstances that have rules. 

When you drive, there are specific rules that must be followed, and if not, there are consequences — up to and including death. Stopping on red, may seem like a silly rule, but it's one that when obeyed protects you from getting t-boned. 

The fact is that we live our lives by rules each day.  Why do we then fight and ignore the simple basic rules that God (who created us) has given us? Why do we think that we know better and can ignore the laws that God designed? He created the laws knowing us and what we would need to protect us from ourselves and on another. 

Yet, so often we ignore God's commands, thinking we know all too well. That is basically, ignoring the meaning of a red light — and driving directly into the path of a car obeying the law of the green light. 

God provides direction, not because He want to rob us of fun. Rather, he provides direction through His commands so that we can enjoy life, and truly be happy! 

Red light. Green light. It really is as simple as that. 

Study of Psalm 119. Psalm 119:3

This continues the study of Psalm 119.  (Start the series here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2017/09/study-of-psalm-119-psalm-1191.html)

God Provides (by Rhonda Sawtelle)
Psalm 119: God's Word....

vs. 3–5: Provides Direction

They also do no iniquity; they walk in His ways.Psalm 119:3

Do: to do or make—systematically and habitually
No: nay, neither, never, no
Iniquity: violent deeds of injustice
Walk: behave self, of moral and religious life
His ways: course of life, or action, undertakings, in good sense

Habits. We all have them. Some are good and others we need to work on breaking. If we want to be happy and joyful, then we need to make sure we do not have habits that go against God. In no way, never, a flat out NO. Habits that are against God almighty have to be broken! 

But as we all know, bad habits need to be replaced with better ones. How do we do that? First, we must identify the bad habits. Name them. Write them down. When we take the time to actually name and put in writing the bad habits, it makes them very real. We can't ignore them any longer. 

Next, share the list with God. No, I'm not joking here. He already knows all our habits — good and bad. But name them and take with over with God. Ask for forgiveness. Explain why the habit is bad — and goes against our holy God. 

The next step is ask God for the strength, determination and will to change the bad habit. He will give it. But it's up to us to do the work. Accountability helps in this area. Find a trusted friend or two and ask them to pray with you, for you and come along side to encourage you. 

And lastly, replace the bad habit with a God-honoring one. This is the "walk in His ways" part of the verse. Behave yourself! Make your course of life — all actions, thoughts, words — one that shows that you fear a holy and almighty God. 

Say NO to sin and start creating habits that demonstrate that we are children of God Almighty! 

Study of Psalm 119. Psalm 119:2

This continues the study of Psalm 119.  (Start the series here: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2017/09/study-of-psalm-119-psalm-1191.html)

God Provides (by Rhonda Sawtelle)
Psalm 119: God's Word....

vs. 1, 2: Provides Joy

Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,who seek Him with the whole heart!Psalm 119:2

Blessed: happy, joyful; blessed the perfect in way
Keep: guard with fidelity, keep, observe
Testimonies: always of laws as divine testimonies or solemn charges
Seek Him: seek deity (the true God) in prayer and worship
Whole: (in) all manner, every
Heart: the inner man, indefinite, soul, comprehending mind, affections and will

What am I passionate about? What motivates me? What will I sacrifice for? 
The answer or answers to those questions will show where my focus is, and what is important to me. For those are things for which I am willing to devote my time, my money, and my mind to — they take forefront in my life. 

Where does God fit in to my life? Do I consider His Word important? Do I observe and guard with fidelity that things which He says? Do I really seek, look for and spend time worshiping Him? Do I love Him with my entire being? Does loving and obeying God consume my thoughts, wills, and desires? 

If I want to be happy, than I must make sure that God is that one I am seeking. My thoughts, actions, attitude should be filtered through God's Word. 

And what does the Lord require of you  — to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Study of Psalm 119. Psalm 119:1

This begins the study of Psalm 119. 

God Provides (by Rhonda Sawtelle)

Psalm 119: God's Word....

vs. 1, 2: Provides Joy
vs. 3–5: Provides Direction
vs. 6: Provides Motivation
vs. 7, 8: Provides Results

vs. 9: Provides Purity (Sanctification)
vs. 10: Provides Boundaries
vs. 11: Provides Influence
vs. 12: Provides Instruction
vs. 13: Provides Conversation
vs. 14: Provides Treasure
vs. 15: Provides Contemplation
vs. 16: Provides Position

vs. 17: Provides Life
vs. 18-19: Provides Perception
vs. 20: Provides Longing
vs. 21: Provides Judgment
vs. 22, 23: Provides Protection
vs. 24: Provides Wisdom

vs. 25: Provides Revival & Rejuvenation
vs. 26, 27: Provides Knowledge
vs. 28: Provides Encouragement 
vs. 29: Provides Understanding
vs. 30-32: Provides Goals

vs. 33, 34: Provides Application
vs. 35: Provides Guidance
vs. 36, 37: Provides Ambition
vs. 38-40: Provides Purpose

vs. 41, 42: Provides Incentive
vs. 43: Provides Hope
vs. 44, 45: Provides Discipline
vs. 46, 47: Provides Confidence
vs. 48: Provides Communion

vs. 49–51: Provides Strength
vs. 52: Provides Comfort
vs. 53, 54: Provides Harmony
vs. 55, 56: Provides Relevance

vs. 57, 58: Provides Thoughtfulness
vs. 59, 60: Provides Objective
vs. 61: Provides Security
vs. 62: Provides Thanksgiving
vs. 63: Provides Companionship
vs. 64: Provides Substance

vs. 65, 66: Provides Integrity
vs. 67, 68: Provides Obligation
vs. 69, 70: Provides Truth
vs. 72: Provides Value

vs.73–75: Provides Conviction
vs. 76, 77: Provides Pleasure
vs. 78, 79: Provides Commonality
vs. 80: Provides Pride

vs. 81-88: Provides Steadfastness

vs. 89–91: Provides Immortality
vs. 92–95: Provides Existence
vs. 96: Provides Everlastingness

vs. 97–100: Provides Intelligence
vs. 101, 102: Provides Perimeters
vs. 103: Provides Refreshment
vs. 104: Provides Discernment

vs. 105: Provides Light
vs. 106: Provides Righteousness
vs. 107–112 Provides Determination

vs. 113: Provides Unity
vs. 114: Provides Refuge
vs. 115: Provides Perception
vs. 116–118: Provides Support
vs. 119–120: Provides Admiration

vs. 121–125: Provides Comprehension
vs. 126–128: Provides Perspective

vs. 129: Provides Miracles
vs. 130: Provides Enlightenment
vs. 131: Provides Desire
vs. 132–134: Provides Compassion
vs. 135, 136: Provides Response

vs. 137–139: Provides Trustworthiness
vs. 140–142: Provides Dependability
vs. 143, 144: Provides Significance

vs. 145–148: Provides Reason
vs. 149–152: Provides Patronage

vs. 153–160: Provides Justice

vs. 161–164: Provides Devotion
vs. 165: Provides Peace
vs. 166–168: Provides Allegiance

vs. 169: Provides Insight
vs. 170–172: Provides Appreciation
vs. 173–176: Provides Help

Blessed are the undefiled in the way,

who walk in the law of the Lord!

Psalm 119:1

Blessed: happy, joyful; blessed the perfect in way
Undefiled: sound, wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity
Way: of moral action and character, duty, good sense
Walk: behave self
Law:  codes of law, precept or statute
Lord: God

Want true happiness? Then conduct oneself "within the boundaries and limits of it, according to its direction, as it is a rule of walk and conversation in the hands of Christ the Lawgiver." (John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible)

Is it really that simple? Yes. But don't mistake happiness for an easy life free from stress, pain, or heartache. Happiness is not based on circumstances, rather it is based on knowing that you are obeying God and conducting yourself in accordance with His word. 

God provides joy—to receive it, make sure your character is one of integrity and your actions are blameless in the eyes of God.