Delighting in God’s Word (Part 15): Single-Minded Biblical Focus

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Psalm 119:113

I hate those who are double-minded,
but I love your instruction.

(CSB)

The greatest struggle anyone has in living for Christ is their struggle with the flesh.  Most believers have a strong heart desire to live lives pleasing to God but since we still live in our flesh with its desires, are engaged in a struggle.  Even the Apostle Paul spoke of his struggle with the flesh in Romans 7:15-25. 

The Christian band Petra perform a song entitled Jekyll and Hyde.  Take a moment to listen to the song here and reflect on the Jekyll and Hyde we all deal with in our lives.  The next eight verses in our continuing study of Psalm 119 and delighting in Gods Word begins with the psalmist expressing his hatred of double-mindedness and his love for the instructions provided in God’s Word.  From this foundation, the psalmist goes on with,

1)      Acknowledgement of Gods protection coupled with the hope he finds in God’s Word (Psalm 119:114) – It is a dangerous world.  As of April 22, there have been 420 terrorist attacks in 2018 leading to 2,120 fatalities globally.  (1)  As of April 22, there has also been a total of 67 mass shootings in the United States.  (2)  These alarming statistics illustrate that we live in a dangerous world.  However, with the psalmist’s acknowledgement of needing God’s protection, the world of his time was also dangerous.  The good news for each of us is that like the psalmist, we too can find comfort and hope in God’s Word.

2)      Acknowledgement of stronger obedience to God’s Word through disassociation with evil (Psalm 119:115) – Growing up there were kids my parents did not want me to hang around with.  This was usually because these kids habitually got into trouble and my parents wanted me to stay out of trouble.  This is good advice not only for children but also for adults.  However, the Bible does command God’s people to go into all the world spreading the Gospel (Mark 16:15) which requires interaction with unbelievers.  This does not represent a contradiction in scripture for as adults, especially adult believers, we can discern good from evil and while we must interact with unbelievers, we know when to disassociate ourselves from evil so like the psalmist we can have stronger obedience to God and His Word.

3)      Acknowledgment of the sustaining power of God and His Word (Psalm 119:116-117) – When we live in a dangerous world we need some sustaining force in our lives that provides hope and security.  As a Christian I find that hope in my personal relationship with Jesus Christ my savior.  I have eternal life through my belief and confession that Jesus died, and rose again for my sins (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10).  I find hope in knowing the security of my eternal state with God and unashamedly share it with others when God gives the opportunity. 

4)      Acknowledgement of God’s rejection of those that stray from His commands and fall for the deceitful lies of Satan (Psalm 119:118) – While at times it appears those not living for Jesus have the good life, the Bible reminds us that the appearance of living the good life is temporary while living for Jesus in this life has its troubles but also an eternal reward (Psalm 73). 

5)      Comparing the removal of evil to removal of dross from metal (Psalm 119:119) – The removal of dross from fine metals like Gold represents a purification process.  This process involves first grinding the metal into a fine powder and then melting the mixture in a furnace.  During this smelting process the pure gold sinks to the bottom with the impurities coming to the top for removal, leaving the pure gold.  (3)  In a similar fashion, God’s Word grinds our spirit and places us in the heat of the furnace of trials in our lives bringing any evil present in our lives to the top for removal through our surrendering it to God.  When Jesus returns at the end of the great tribulation, he will remove the dross of evil dominating our dangerous world, establishing His Kingdom on earth. 

6)      Development of a reverential fear of God and His judgments (Psalm 119:120) – When people mention the fear of the Lord, some envision God ready to strike someone with a lightning bolt for their disobedience.  However, the fear the psalmist speaks of is a reverential fear of the Lord at the realization of his power, righteousness, and holiness but a sense of awe at the realization that the all-powerful creator loves him.  As Christians living under the New Covenant this is an awe and fear that God would send His Only Son who knew no sin to die for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21). 

If you have not already done so, I encourage you to pray with me and accept Jesus Christ as your savior, so you can enjoy the sustaining hope and security of knowing your eternal reward is eternity in heaven with God.  Please pray with me now,

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1John 1:9).  I believe you died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

For the rest of us who are Christians struggling with our Jekyll and Hyde personalities, I encourage you to develop a Biblically single-minded focus through prayer and taking delight in the Study of God’s Word.  May God bless everyone reading this.   

1. Storymaps.esri.com. 2018 Terrorist Attacks. [Online] April 22, 2018. [Cited: April 23, 2018.] https://storymaps.esri.com/stories/terrorist-attacks/.

2. Jeffrey, Courtland. Mass shootings in the U.S.: When, where they have occurred in 2018. www.abc15.com. [Online] ABC 15 Arizona, April 22, 2018. [Cited: April 23, 2018.] https://www.abc15.com/news/data/mass-shootings-in-the-us-when-where-they-have-occurred-in-2018.

3. Davis, Scott. Removing the Dross. www.cornerstoneidahofalls.org. [Online] Conerstone Assembly of God, November 29, 2017. [Cited: April 24, 2018.] https://www.cornerstoneidahofalls.org/single-post/2017/11/29/Removing-the-Dross.