How can anyone live without the Lord, God as the Source of Life?  I have strayed, becoming unfocused on God, confused while haphazardly veering from the lighted pathway of God.  But the farther I walked from Him and with Him, the greater the fear became.  I could no longer feel the touch of His Spirit or the Voice of His wisdom as these spiritual senses faded into the background of the noisy world that pulls in all directions—all but the right one for our good and God’s glory. 

The longer we stay lost in the noise; the more bankrupt we become.  Sin bankrupts our souls and leaves us completely empty. All have sinned but not all come back from being bankrupted by sin. I am blessed to have had mentors in my life who pointed me back to the Path of God.  I learned long ago to come back to God quickly for the longer we wait the greater our sins enlarge as evil’s focus is to destroy us.  

Unfocused attention on God leaves us empty, continually searching to fill the bankrupted void while being full of fear.  But when we turn back to God, in Jesus Name, fear fades as we come with fearful awe of our God who can turn our ashes of defeat int beauty for His glory! When we listen to Him; His blessed assurance fills our souls.  God blesses prodigal souls with bank deposits that clear our sin debts, then with restoration, wisdom, direction, clarity of vision, comfort, peace, joy, and contentment all driven by the love of God.  No longer bankrupt from sin; God fills the banks of our repentant beings with redemption—at the cost of His Son, Jesus Christ.  Yes, Jesus paid it all indeed.  All to Him we owe.

The Psalmist is intent on teaching us how to keep our bank accounts solvent and full—pursue God and do what He says.

Psalm 119, The Message

ב Beth

How can a young person live a clean life?
    By carefully reading the map of your Word.
I’m single-minded in pursuit of you;
    don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted.
I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart
    so I won’t sin myself bankrupt.
Be blessed, God;
    train me in your ways of wise living.
I’ll transfer to my lips
    all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
I delight far more in what you tell me about living
    than in gathering a pile of riches.
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,
    I attentively watch how you’ve done it.
I relish everything you’ve told me of life,
    I won’t forget a word of it.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

We learned yesterday to stay the course because of our adoration of God.  Today we learn to listen to God and follow the map given to us in His Word so that we may stay the course with Him!  

“I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won’t sin myself bankrupt,” is the testimony of the Psalmist. (Message paraphrase)

In the NIV translation that all of us probably remember most is; “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

We learn that God will fill the banks of those whose hearts are completely His for where God guides us; He provides for us. 

We are given a choice; Bankrupted hearts of sin or hearts that overflow with the Goodness of God through the redemptive work of Jesus?

I choose God. I love Him because He first loved me.  I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died and rose again to give us hope of eternal live with Him. Why? Because… “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

We also learned yesterday that God’s love never quits so His love is always available to those who come seeking real love who is God!

What is your choice?  To be empty (bankrupted) or to be filled daily with the love of God?  Choose wisely as it is indeed a matter of life or death.  There will be an audit when Jesus comes back again…

Lord,

Thank you for this part of the psalm that teaches us that your Word is one of many ways you speak with us.  Your Word speaks to our hearts by the power of Your Holy Spirit living in us.  You fill us daily with all we need to be all your created us to be then do.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  To you be all the glory, honor, and praise.

In Jesus Name, Amen