What a Personal Relationship with God Means

1. Read: Psalm 119:145-162

2. About the Text:

1) In this section of Psalm 119, the poet emphasizes his personal relationship with God.

2) The pronouns I, me, and my are elevated in this section.

3) This emphasizes the unique nature of each person’s relationship with God.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. With the whole heart.

1) We must give everything we have to this relationship.

2) Ecclesiastes 12:13 – the whole of man.

3) Matthew 22:37-40

2. With a willingness to obey.

1) “Keep statues,” “observe testimonies,” “hope in the word.”

2) Hebrews 5:8-9 – “though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”

3) Matthew 28:18-20 – to observe all things.

3. With hope that God will answer.

1) Our hope is sure and steadfast – Hebrews 6:19 – “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil”

2) Romans 5:5 – “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

1. Begins early.

1) Before dawn – It is the first thing on his mind – shows priority.

2) Matthew 6:33

2. Means meditation.

1) This is mental effort and focus.

2) Psalm 1:2 – “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.”

3) Psalm 16:8 – “I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.”

3. Results in Life

1) God empathizes with us because of His mercy and steadfast love.

2) Lamentation 3:22-24 ESV – “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases . . .”

3) He gives us life with His justice, and today that is through the cross.

4) “to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26).

1. The evil are near physically, temporarily, but far from God.

1) “Therefore the law is powerless, And justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore perverse judgment proceeds” (Hab.1:4).

2) “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus…” (2 Tim.3:12).

3) “The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous” (P.15:29).

2. The Lord is near in all things.

1) “The Lord is at hand” (Phil.4:5).

2) “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:8).

3. God’s presence is forever.

1) “And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever” (Rev.22:3-5).

2) “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” (Heb.13:5).

1. A personal relationship with God means . . .

1) Prayer

2) Practice

3) Position

2. Invitation