We have worked through all of Psalm 119 with lessons from the Lord.  I pray that as we read and study that you heard His voice speak to you from His Word of Truth.  I pray you were as encouraged and invigorated as I became as we read.  Truth is Truth, whether we decide to believe God or not. I believe.  I decided a long time ago to follow Jesus and trust God.  There’s no turning back from what God says about who He is, what He has done, is doing and will do with how much He loves me.  Why, be led by anyone but The Good Shepherd who loved me before I was born and died to save me?  I believe and I agree with the Psalmist’s words this morning with a heart, mind and soul that is all in.  I believe and I surrender for The Lord is my Shepherd, He is, indeed, everything I need.

As we read our last portion of daily manna from God through this Psalm, we feel the writer’s desire to be in the Presence of God more than anything else.  Look closely at all the verbs he uses as he seeks God’s help and salvation! –“Let my cry be heard by You, provide insight, rescue me personally, steady me, invigorate my soul, use Your Word to put iron in my soul”!  These requests are asked of Almighty God who brought salvation, once and for all, through Jesus Christ, His Son.  It was the Plan from the beginning and was accomplished. The words of the psalms are not just used in worship for the sole worship of God; the words are prophetic and have been fulfilled in Jesus.

The last words of the Psalmist wreck me this morning…”and when I stray, seek me”.  Not if, but when…for all sin and fall short of the glory of God—but God in His love, mercy, and grace seeks, finds, forgives, and restores us.  “I’ll recognize the sound of your Voice.” 

Yes, The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23, NIV)

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”—Jesus, John 10:27-28

I hear you, Lord!

Psalm 119:169-176, The Message

ת Taw V is for Victory over the Enemy with Life Eternal

Let my cry come right into your presence, God;
    provide me with the insight that comes only from your Word.
Give my request your personal attention,
    rescue me on the terms of your promise.
Let praise cascade off my lips;
    after all, you’ve taught me the truth about life!
And let your promises ring from my tongue;
    every order you’ve given is right.
Put your hand out and steady me
    since I’ve chosen to live by your counsel.
I’m homesick, God, for your salvation;
    I love it when you show yourself!
Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well,
    use your decrees to put iron in my soul.
And should I wander off like a lost sheep—seek me!
    I’ll recognize the sound of your voice.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

God sent Jesus to powerfully demonstrate the depth of His love for us.  Jesus was, is, and always will be the Son of God who was sent to earth to heal, seek the lost, forgive, restore, transform and provide hope. He did this by defeating death to rise up in resurrection power in victory over death and evil. He is our Savior, Redeemer, the Lord of our lives, and the Victor over death for all who believe.  We who believe have victory with Jesus!

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” –Jesus, John 14:6

I believe God. I believe all He says in His Word.  I believe in Jesus who saved me from all my sins and set me free to love like He loves us—unconditionally and relentlessly. I believe in God’s Holy Spirit who guides my heart, mind, and fills my souls with Truth each hour of every day of my life.  And when I stray, I know He will seek me and pull back out of danger and into His Presence. 

I hear you, Lord, for I know the sound of your voice.

Lead, me, Lord

In Jesus Name, lead me—I’m listening, Amen

And I’m singing…

I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.

Refrain:
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

2 He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing. [Refrain]

(In The Garden, by C. Austin Miles, 1912)