27 February 2006

Text: Psalm 119:33-40

STRUGGLES WITH THE PROBLEM OF COVETING WORLDLY THINGS
1. An important, honest hint
"And not to covetousness"    Psalm 119:16:b

2. A further hint
"Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things"    Psalm 119:17a

3. Reproach
"Turn away my reproach which I dread"    Psalm 119:39a
a) From the Lord

b) From people

OVERCOMING WORLDLINESS
1. Prayer
a) To have God as the Teacher
"Teach me. O LORD, the way of Your statutes…"    Psalm 119:33b

b) To have understanding
"Give me understanding…"    Psalm 119:34a

c) To have firm guidance
"Make me walk in the path of your commandments…"    Psalm 119:35a

d) Influence over inclinations
"Incline my heart to Your testimonies…"    Psalm 119:36a

e) Revival
"And revive me in Your way…"    Psalm 119:37b

"Revive me in Your righteousness…"    Psalm 119:40

f) Establishment
"Establish Your word to Your servant…"    Psalm 119:38a

2. Turning away from the sin of covetousness
"And not to covetousness…"    Psalm 119:36b

"Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things…"    Psalm 119:37a

3. Declarations and determinations
a) Promise to keep the Word of the Lord
"And I shall keep it to the end…"    Psalm 119:33

"I shall keep Your Law,
Indeed I shall observe it with my whole heart"    Psalm 119:34

b) Devoted to the Lord and His word
"I delight in it…"    Psalm 119:35b

"Devoted to fearing You…"    Psalm 119:38b

"Your judgments are good…"    Psalm 119:39b

"Behold, I long for Your precepts"    Psalm 119:40a