We now come to the longest psalm, as
well as the longest chapter in the Bible. There are 176
verses in this psalm. None of the verses are very long.
They are pithy and to the point. In fact, there are only
eight verses in each of the twenty-two sections. Heading
each one of the sections is a Hebrew letter, written out
from the Hebrew alphabet. Of interest, each verse in
each section begins with the letter of the Hebrew
alphabet that heads those eight verses. Bibles have the
letter written out, and some Bibles have the actual
Hebrew symbol for that letter, too. This is an
interesting feature of the psalm. Enjoy it as you read
it.
Today our "blessing" begins with an
important question. "WHEREWITHAL SHALL A YOUNG MAN
CLEANSE HIS WAY?" In other words, "How is a young fellow
going to keep his life clean?" The world is a filthy
place! There are many temptations that can take a man in
the wrong direction. He (or she) could be tempted
sexually. He could fall into drunkenness. He could smoke
pot or take drugs. He could fall into bad language and
street talk.
We have all known dear little boys
with much potential who grew up to be degenerate men. It
is sad! Also, we know good, clean men who expose
themselves to temptations, succumbing to a sinful
lifestyle. Many a man comes from a good home, only to
become--like the Prodigal son--seeking his fortune in
the world. Once away from home, he dabbles in sin. It is
then he finds himself in dire straights–ashamed–but
caught in the trap of Satan.
How is a young man to cleanse His
way? How? God does not let a question like that go
unanswered. The answer is "by taking heed thereto
according to Thy word." The Words of God tell a man how
to live. "Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against
the soul." (I Peter 2:11) "Flee also youthful lusts!"
(II Timothy 2:22) "Love not the world neither the things
that are in the world!" (I John 2:15) "Trust in the LORD
with all thine heart and lean not unto they own
understanding" (Proverbs 3:5) and "Abstain from
fornication." (I Thessalonians 4:3)
You and I could name talented men
with much potential for the LORD who have succumbed to a
woman’s wiles. The same for some women! In so doing,
they have ruined their marriages, their lives, their
goals, and their testimonies for the Lord. Some are
forgiven by their mates and families; but there is
always a scar, no matter how much "mercy" was given. You
have seen men take a drink of wine and end up as a drunk
on the street corner begging for a money. You have seen
women drugged and staggering, prostituting their bodies
for drug money. This was not what their mothers had in
mind the day they gave birth. But this is what he or she
has become because he or she did not "take heed" to what
the Words of God told them to do and not to do.
"With my whole heart have I sought
thee, O let me not wander from thy commandments!"
(Vs.10). This is the plea of the psalmist. "God, do not
let me wander from Thy Word!" It is a
heart-determination for a person to stay true to the
verities of Scripture. Don’t think that you are so
strong that you will not trip over a sin that will
destroy your life. You are not strong! It is only God
who is strong! Put blinders on your eyes and stuff your
ears with the Words of God. Otherwise, you will be like
one of those derelicts, too.
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart,
that I might not sin against thee." (Vs. 11) Please
don’t be like some I know who can quote Scripture till
it comes out of their ears and read their Bibles daily;
yet, they have found themselves in adulteress
situations. The Bible must be in the HEART-–not in the
HEAD. No one is that strong that he can dabble in fire
and not be burned! Please take today’s "blessing"
seriously.
Do not be found numbered with the
transgressors. It is a long road back to home when this
happens. Believe me! (ysw)
