09.10

Living According to God's Word "You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD,
according to Your word. (Psalm 119:65)"

David was a man who basically lived by grace (that is, by depending on the Lord to work in
his life). Consequently, he trusted in the word of God ("the word of His grace"— Acts
20:32). David lived according to God's word. Psalm 119 bears substantial testimony of what
can happen when one lives in this manner. "You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD,
according to Your word." The strategic phrase ("according to Your word") has two
implications: living in line with God's word and living by the provisions of God's word.
Therefore, those who live according to God's word not only find their direction in the
Scriptures, they find resource there as well.

Many respected Bible teachers are convinced that David was the human instrumental author
of Psalm 119. Whether this is true or not is incidental to our present meditation. In this
majestic Psalm, the Holy Spirit (the ultimate author) depicts the all-inclusive nature of
living according to the word.

Every person on earth begins life with a sin problem (guilty, condemned, alienated from
God). If a person wants to have his life cleaned up spiritually, he must have that
accomplished according to God's Word. "How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed
according to Your word" (Psalm 119:9). Anyone who will pay close attention to the message
of the Scriptures will find therein God's provision of forgiveness and salvation. "Let
Your mercies come also to me, O LORD—Your salvation according to Your word" (Psalm
119:41). God's merciful salvation (from sin and unto godliness) is enjoyed by those who
call upon Him wholeheartedly, as declared in God's word. "I entreated Your favor with my
whole heart; Be merciful to me according to Your word" (Psalm 119:58).

Every person who has found new life through the Lord's merciful salvation needs reviving
at times. When the difficulties of life seem to choke all spiritual vitality out of us, it
is time to call upon the Lord and turn to His word. "I am afflicted very much; Revive me,
O LORD, according to Your word" (Psalm 119:107). Sometimes, the battle is so intense that
our inner man seems to be smashed face down in the dirt. Again, it is time to seek the
Lord in His word. "My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word" (Psalm
119:25). Yes, in God's word, we find direction for our lives and replenishing of our
lives.

"Dear Lord of the Scriptures, I praise You for giving me new life according to Your word.
Now, in the afflictions and battles that I face, I ask You to revive me according to Your
word."