Psalm 119:105-112

Overview:
Your Word lights my way - it shows me what to do in the present and illumines the path to my future. I have made a solemn vow to keep what is written in Your Word. I am troubled on every side - make me alive in Your Word. Accept my praises and teach me your Truths. My life can be snuffed out and discarded at anytime, yet I stay true to Your Word. Those who do not know you lay snares and try to entrap me, still I steadfastly trust in your Word. Your Word is my inheritance - all my hope for the future. I have purposed in my life to do what you say forever - until the end of my life.
Application:
Your Word is EVERYTHING - not a part of my life, but everything. I spoke with a friend who is struggling about the existence of God as a result of bad situations in her life. The only counsel I could give that made any sense was to say how well do you know God. Are you daily in His Word? How can you know someone if you refuse to communicate with them? You don't want God to treat you like a puppet, even knowing if He did you would be safe, and happy. We all want freedom to make up our own minds - that's where the trouble comes - trouble is a result of OUR bad choices. But we blame God for allowing injustice, anger and hurt into our lives. Did He do that - or did we?!
God, You sure don't need my help proving You are God - that you do exist, but give me the words to say, and help her to understand your Word like never before!! You loved her enough to die for her, please reveal yourself to her and keep the enemy and doubts and resistance to you away.

Psalm 119: 97-104

Overview:
I continually think about and love your Word! Because I have spent time in your Word and it is uppermost in my mind, I am able to deal wisely with my enemies. It has also made me understand things that even my teachers don't know. Because I do what your Word says I discern more than my elders. I strive to keep your Word and not do evil. You, God, have taught me your Word and I have listened and not turned away. Your words are sweet as honey. My intelligence comes from studying your Word, and that has made me hate all that is false.
Application:
I have what David did not - the whole Word of God. Do I love it with the obvious depth that he did? I've got to say, "No" - much to my shame! If I did, would I miss one opportunity to meet with my Lord through the pages of His Word in my QTs? I still can go through an entire day continually promising myself, "After I do___, then I'll have my QT." Certainly not the habit of David. It seems to me I am missing something. QT shouldn't be all about discipline. It should be like breathing - something that I can't do without - something that comes from my love for the Lord.
"Lord, help me to love you and your Word the way you would have me love."

Psalm 119: 89 - 96

Overview:
All else changes, but your Word is "firmly fixed in the heavens." God you are continually faithful to all generations, just as the earth you created stands fast. Because you have decreed it to be so they stand because everything is subject to you. I don't know where I'd be if it wasn't for your Word - I would have wandered away. Your Word has revived me. Save me now, because I have pursued your Word. The ungodly look for an opportunity to destroy me - so I diligently study your Word. All things come to an end, but your Word is vast.
Application:
The only constant I have is God and His Word. The best of friends will and have failed me - even family disappoints and lets me down. But never God! When He seems distant - I know it's me - it's not Him. He has not moved or changed. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. When my world is shaking - heaven stands! When my feelings have been hurt, when I have been wounded by the very ones I hold dear, God's Word is my faithful friend.

Psalm 119: 81 - 88

^Overview:

^{The writer has been persecuted and is presently suffering from his enemies. He feels like he hasn't a friend in the world and is begging for God to rescue him from his distress. His hope - that which he clings to is God's Word. He longs with anxious anticipation for God to fulfill His promise and comfort him.  He gives us a great word picture of what he feels like - like a wineskin in the smoke. A wineskin in the smoke would get dry and parched and be rendered useless. David feels like he's been reduced to the uselessness of a wineskin in because of his tormentors. He is used up mentally, physically, emotionally - his strength is almost gone. He asks, "How can I continue on? When are you going to judge those who persecute and lie about me and set traps for me? They don't live according to your Word - but I do! Even though they have tried to finish me off, I haven't forsaken your Word - it's only Your Word and Your love that has given me life and your steadfast continual love has kept me going.}

^Application:

^{Have you ever felt like that? I sure have! Miserable place to be. Just as David did, we need to cry out to God for his salvation and cling to the promises of His Word that "He will never leave us, or forsake us." Jealousy, maliciousness and outright evil was true in his day, just as it is in ours. Searching for the why of it, will cast us further into the pit of depression. Those that act in that manner must answer to God for their actions. We cannot fix them or show them the error of their ways, as they are often set on their path of "destroying" us. What we must do is live above reproach, continually look to God for His strength to get through this, knowing He has not let anything come into our lives that we (with His Almighty power) can't handle. Our job is to work on us - that's the only thing we have control over. God will take care and judge those who persecute us - that's not our job. Learn the lessons God wants you to learn from these experiences and move on! Don't let someone else's sin hold you back from being the best you can be for the kingdom of God. Key to this is that you must be in God's Word. Without that nourishment, you will feel dried up and useless like David. Even when you feel alone - those are just feelings, and we can't trust our feelings. He is "an ever present help in time of trouble." Cling to Him, trust in the promises of His Word, be above reproach, and hold your head up high - you are a child of the KING!!}

Psalm 119:73 - 80

Overview:
You've created me, so help me understand your Word. When people who love You see me,  they will rejoice because I've put my trust in your Word. Your word brings comfort and also challenges me, because You want righteousness in me. I need your love and mercy because I delight in and love your law. Even tho others around me are filled with wrong motives and try to shame me with their lies, I will continue to put my mind on Your Word. I pray my heart will be blameless before you and I will not be put to shame!
Application:
As long as my eyes are fixed on You, God - what others have to say should be of no consequence. It is You that I seek approval from. It is nice to have man's approval, but when your conscience is clear and you've taken care of unconfessed sin and forsaken it, but aren't getting the "atta boys" you desire - remember Who's approval you are seeking. If it's God's, the praises of men should not hold any consequence! But knowing this principle and acting on it are very difficult at times.
"Lord, keep me blameless in Your sight so that I may point others to You! Make my heart tender to sin and confess it immediately."