Dry Life Rejuvenated: Psalm 119:9-16


Psalm 119:9-16

 

Beth

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
    By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
    let me not wander from your commandments!
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.


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12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
    teach me your statutes!
13 With my lips I declare
    all the rules of your mouth.
14 In the way of your testimonies I delight
    as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts
    and fix my eyes on your ways.
16 I will delight in your statutes;
    I will not forget your word.

  

How to Stay Clean?

How can a person stay clean in this filthy world? A teacher who imparts wisdom to others, the psalmist memorably asks and answers this rhetorical question: “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.” (v.9)

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“The psalmist knows that the fruit of one’s life emanates from the heart.

Lord God, you do not hide your answer from us. “Keep your way clean by obeying my words.” This command from our great Father is is familiar, unchanging, and sincere. But Adam, the first man who was made and loved by you, did not keep your word. As a result, we all died in our sins and transgressions, and have tasted the bitter fruit of sin.

Lord, my God and Father, I thank you that you have prepared salvation for us. The Lord Jesus kept your word, died, and rose again for our sins. Through him we are reconciled to you. Your sovereign grace has come and we are accepted as your children in Christ. I am no longer an orphan – I have a father, I have someone to rely on, I have a dad to guide me.

As he heeds God’s word and seeks prayer (v. 10), the psalmist responds to God wisely. This is further explained in the next sentence (v. 11: “I have stored up your word in my heart”). The psalmist knows that the fruit of one’s life emanates from the heart.

Precious Things Well-Hidden

To really treasure God’s word and make good use of it, precious things need to be hidden in a good place. Jesus hid God’s word in his heart, and used it to overcome temptation in the face of repeated trials from the devil and the scribes. Joseph’s father taught him to hide God’s word in his heart, and when he saw his brothers’ sins of lying and stealing, he refrained from them. Although he was far from his father and from God’s people, when he was tempted by Potiphar’s wife, he said the same heartfelt words as the psalmist: “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”

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“Whatever fills your heart will be what comes out of your mouth; our words are the cries of our heart. God’s word is sweeter than honey dripping from the honeycomb, and more precious than fine gold.

As I write this, my heart is overwhelmed! The Lord chose me at a young age, and when it was time for marriage, I did not follow the world by looking for an unbeliever to wed. I think I must have had God’s word hidden in my heart: “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” It is because of the grace and protection of God that I did not sin against him.

O God my Father, so often now I do not thirst for your word. Have mercy on me and make me thirsty!

Our Words The Cries of Our Heart

When preaching God’s word, whatever fills your heart will be what comes out of your mouth; our words are the cries of our heart. God’s word is sweeter than honey dripping from the honeycomb, and more precious than fine gold. Money can bring temporary satisfaction, but it cannot purchase life. But what about the God who gives wealth? His words are spirit and life! Twenty years ago, I nearly died from a severe illness. But I thank the Lord for keeping me alive by reliance on his word. I have deeply tasted the preciousness of God’s word.

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“God’s truth sets people free. The psalmist understands that, in order to bear the fruit of a free, joyful, and abundant life, the heart must be connected to the source of the living water of God’s word.

Meditate on the word of God: “Blessed is the man…[whose] delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

God’s truth sets people free. The psalmist understands that, in order to bear the fruit of a free, joyful, and abundant life, the heart must be connected to the source of the living water of God’s word. I thank you, Lord, for your unfailing love. My dry life has been rejuvenated by your word, and in Christ, I have tasted the freedom and joy found in your word.

Ma Xiaochen (a pseudonym) lives in a third-tier city on the northeast coast of China. She and her husband, a pastor, have an adult son and a teenage daughter.

 

PRAYER

I thank you LORD, my loving Father, for letting me hear your great and precious words again through the Psalms. This psalm is for the captive people of God, who were taken captive because they did not listen to the word of God. I thank you, Lord, that you are full of mercy and still speak to people through the psalmist. Thank you, Lord, for speaking to me, one who is a part of the people of God through the new covenant.

   


We are using the Psalms to guide our prayers for China

In 2022, our prayer movement is turning to the scriptural prayers found in the Psalms as we pray for the Chinese church. When you join our prayer movement, you will receive weekly prayer emails and a monthly newsletter so that you too can pray for our brothers and sisters in China.

  

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Further Reading

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Xi'an: Rich Cultural Heritage
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The J-Curve: Suffering with Jesus
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LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA

With rising pressure and persecution in China, there are two challenges imperative for church leaders. The first challenge is for current leaders to love Christ above all else, and not to stray into legalism or love of the world. The second challenge is to raise up the next generation of leaders, who will humbly model Jesus even if current leaders are arrested.

WILL YOU JOIN US IN PRAYING FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA? PRAY FOR:

  1. Current leaders to grow in their daily walks with Christ
  2. Current leaders to shepherd and raise up new leaders
  3. New leaders who love Christ and will model him to the world
  4. New leaders to love and care for the church

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ABOUT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

About Shenyang

Shenyang is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Liaoning Province. It is known for its rich history and cultural heritage, including the Shenyang Imperial Palace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Shenyang is also a hub for China’s heavy industry, with companies such as the China First Automobile Group and the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation having their headquarters in the city.

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About Qingdao

Qingdao is a city located in eastern China and is famous for its beaches, beer, and seafood. The city is home to several landmarks, including the Zhanqiao Pier and the Badaguan Scenic Area. Qingdao is also a major port and has a thriving economy, with industries such as electronics, petrochemicals, and machinery.

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About Xiamen

Xiamen is a city located in southeastern China and is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful coastal scenery, including Gulangyu Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is also a hub for China’s high-tech industry, with companies such as Huawei and ZTE having research and development centers in Xiamen.

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Chongqing is a city located in southwestern China and is a major economic center in the region. The city is known for its spicy cuisine, especially its hot pot dishes, and is also famous for the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric dam. Chongqing is also home to several historic sites, including the Dazu Rock Carvings, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

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About Nanjing

Nanjing is a city located in eastern China and is the capital of Jiangsu Province. It is one of China’s ancient capitals and has a rich cultural history, including the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, the Nanjing City Wall, and the Confucius Temple. Nanjing is also a modern city with a thriving economy and is home to several universities, including Nanjing University and Southeast University.

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About Changchun

Changchun is a city located in northeastern China and is the capital of Jilin Province. It is known for its rich cultural heritage and is home to several historical landmarks such as the Puppet Emperor’s Palace and the Jingyuetan National Forest Park. Changchun is also a hub for China’s automotive industry, with several major automobile manufacturers having their headquarters in the city.

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About Guangzhou

Guangzhou, also known as Canton, is a city located in southern China and is the capital of Guangdong Province. It is one of the country’s largest and most prosperous cities, serving as a major transportation and trading hub for the region. Guangzhou is renowned for its modern architecture, including the Canton Tower and the Guangzhou Opera House, as well as its Cantonese cuisine, which is famous for its variety and bold flavors. The city also has a rich history, with landmarks such as the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, and the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. Additionally, Guangzhou hosts the annual Canton Fair, the largest trade fair in China.

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About Kunming

Kunming is a city located in southwest China and is the capital of Yunnan Province. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its mild climate, Kunming is a popular tourist destination due to its natural beauty and cultural diversity. The city is home to several scenic spots, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Stone Forest, Dian Lake, and the Western Hills. Kunming is also famous for its unique cuisine, which features a mix of Han, Yi, and Bai ethnic flavors. The city has a rich cultural history, with ancient temples and shrines like the Yuantong Temple and the Golden Temple, and it’s also a hub for Yunnan’s ethnic minority cultures, such as the Yi and Bai peoples.

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About Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a city located in southeastern China and is one of the country’s fastest-growing metropolises. The city is renowned for its thriving tech industry, with companies such as Huawei, Tencent, and DJI having their headquarters in Shenzhen. The city also has a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, art galleries, and parks. Shenzhen is also known for its modern architecture, such as the Ping An Finance Center and the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. Despite its modernization, Shenzhen also has a rich history and cultural heritage, with landmarks such as the Dapeng Fortress and the Chiwan Tin Hau Temple.

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About Chengdu

Chengdu is a city located in the southwestern region of China, and the capital of Sichuan province. It has a population of over 18 million people, and it is famous for its spicy Sichuan cuisine, laid-back lifestyle, and its cute and cuddly residents – the giant pandas. Chengdu is home to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, where visitors can observe these adorable creatures in their natural habitat. The city also boasts a rich cultural heritage, with numerous temples, museums, and historical sites scattered throughout its boundaries. Chengdu is a city of contrasts, with ancient traditions coexisting alongside modern developments, making it an intriguing and fascinating destination for visitors to China. 

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About Beijing

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Shanghai is a vibrant and dynamic city located on the eastern coast of China. It is the largest city in China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 24 million people. Shanghai is a global financial hub and a major center for international trade, with a rich history and culture that spans over 1,000 years. The city is famous for its iconic skyline, which features towering skyscrapers such as the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Tower. Shanghai is also home to a diverse culinary scene, world-class museums and art galleries, and numerous shopping districts. It is a city that is constantly evolving and reinventing itself, making it a fascinating destination for visitors from around the world.

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