The Word of God and Vision

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-21-2024

Psalm 119:121-128

 

Introduction:

 

A. I keep reiterating this so as to not lose our perspective on the Psalm as a whole. There is an old saying, “You can’t see the forest for the trees.” When we spend many weeks in Psalm 119, we see individual passages within the Psalm but can lose the perspective of the Psalm in its entirety.

 

B. Psalm 119: 176 verses, 22 stanzas, 8 verses in each stanza, each verse in the Hebrew begins with the corresponding letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. An amazing example of Divine Design.

 

1. In Psalm 119, we find the magnification of the Word of God.

 

2. In Psalm 119, we find a reciprocal relationship.

 

a) The relationship of the Word of God to the believer and

 

b) The relationship of the Believer to the Word of God.

 

c) The Word of God cannot maintain a relationship with the believer who does not maintain a relationship to the Word of God.

 

C. AIN – ע - 16^th letter of the Hebrew Alphabet.

 

1. AIN is translated “eye” or “sight.” Our sight brings things into perspective. Of all the organs or senses that can be lost, I believe that our sight would be worst case scenario.

 

2. Some people such as Fanny Crosby and Hellen Keller, were born blind. To never have seen a sunrise or sunset, to have never seen a beautiful flower such as the rose, to have never seen the face of mother or father or sibling or friend, is to learn to operate in total darkness.

 

3. There are other people who have lost sight through accidents or physical failures. The born blind know not what they are missing, but to have seen and lost sight is a terrible thing. Macular degeneration is one of the things that has affected members of our families.

 

4. To be blind to the Word of God is to change our perspective of our circumstances and surroundings.

 

a) First Mention of “Vision” – 1 Samuel 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

 

b) Short sightedness caused by a lack of the Word of God or the understanding of the Word of God. “Precious” – valuable, made rare, scarce.

 

c) Second Mention of “Vision” – Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

 

d) “No vision” is tied to not keeping the Law or the Word of God.

 

D. We live in days of perplexity (confusing times) and spiritual disappointment (sorrowful times). Everything that is good is now bad, right is wrong and wrong is right, and there is no quick fix in sight. Sound bad enough for you. The reason that I continue to tell you this is because of our propensity to allow these days to discourage you.

 

E. The Word of God, in Psalm 119:105, is called a “lamp unto my feet” and a “light unto my path.”

 

Psalms 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

 

1. Our Light is right but is no good to one who cannot see. Our perspective also needs to be right.

 

2. A lamp and light are of no avail to one whose vision is impaired. To properly see the world and what is transpiring, there needs to be a right perspective which involves seeing it through the eyes of the Word of God.

 

F. Here in AIN, we find the biblical solution. Seeing things correctly through the “Lens of the Word of God!” Now, let me explain:

 

1. I have impaired vision and have had it for many years. Therefore, I wear glasses that have tri-focal lenses. My vision is impaired up close, intermediately, and afar off. With my corrective glasses, I see well up close, intermediately, and afar off.

 

2. The Word of God allows us to see this confusing, disappointing world through the eyes of God who knows the end from the beginning.

 

3. I know that this introduction to this stanza is lengthy but feel that it is imperative that we know that, when seeing the world and circumstances through God’s eyes, our perspective changes from disappointing to encouragement.

 

1. Verses 121-122. The Word of God and Oppression. I have done right and am oppressed for it. For the first time in Psalm 119, we find the words “oppressors” and “oppress.” Through the lens of God’s Word, we find that God is our surety, and He will not “leave” us at the mercy of those who hate us.

 

a. Oppressors are the wicked people who now control our nation and choose to persecute all who believe in God and are trying to live right with good citizenship. We are not their enemies, but they have become ours.

 

b. Oppression nowadays is an abuse of power, taking advantage of the underprivileged.

 

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

 

c. The Bible declares that God will take care of those who continue to do right.

 

2. Verses 123-125. The Word of God and Salvation or Deliverance. Salvation for the Servant from the Sovereign. Through the lens of the Word of God, we see that God holds today and tomorrow in His hands. “I don’t know about tomorrow … but I know Who holds tomorrow … and I know Who holds my hand!” Teach me and give me understanding through Thy Word.

 

a. We are His Servants.

 

b. He is our Sovereign Saviour.

 

c. Our lives are secure.

 

Isaiah 43:1-2 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. (2) When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

 

3. Verses 126-128. The Lord is Righteous. Through the lens of the Word of God, we can see the end from the beginning. God allows our suffering for a reason. He could deliver us from our problems but chooses to deliver us in our problems. The Lord is Righteous, and the Lord is Just. The Righteous Judge of all the earth will both reward the just and the unjust. As one man said, “Leave God’s ‘toys’ to God!” He knows what He is doing and everything will turn out alright in the end.

 

Psalms 58:11 So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.

 

a. Verse 126. It is time for Thee to work. Lord, it is about time that You do something to help. The world has made void God’s Word in their hearts but cannot make God’s Word void! His Word will stand after the Satan, the world, and the wicked are no more.

 

b. Verse 127. We are to love the Word of God and desire it above all earthly treasures. Job said to desire it more than our necessary food.

 

c. Verse 128. Through the lens of God’s Word, we find that it is right in all things. We can see our up close problems, our intermediate future problems, and our long range problems with clarity and trust through the Word of God.