Previously in our Locket Verses, we have talked about finding counsel at the right place as a Christian.  Failure to take godly counsel is probably one of the biggest reasons for failure in the Christian life.  Modern day Christians often think that "modern day" counsel could not possibly come from the Word of God.  They fail to realize that not only is God’s Word eternal, and thus up to date, but that the Lord Himself is the same yesterday, today and forever.  The implication of that realization is tremendous.  My God, who gave the correct advice to Adam and Eve, to Noah, to Daniel, to the disciples, will give the correct advice to me!  There was no less time difference between Abraham and Adam, than between the early Christians and our day.  Living for God certainly was not popular or the common thing to do in Abraham's day.  The city of Ur was certainly not a place of godly revival and worship.  The modern day counsel of his time would certainly not have been to follow the vocal commands of an invisible God and leave a place of convenience and wealth to wander in a desert land.  Yet, Abraham heeded the counsel of God and he was blessed immeasurably.  Not only that, but God’s counsel was correct!  We know in our hearts that we do not always let God’s testimonies be our delight and our counselors.  We often delight in following the trends of the day, the counsel of others or family and regional traditions.  There is the old story of a young woman who was famous for her cooking, especially her ham roast.  She was asked to share her recipe and its secrets.  In demonstrating the method of cooking, she emphasized that several inches must be cut off the tip of the roast before cooking.  When asked the reason, she said that her mother had taught her the technique and said it was an important step.  The mother was asked the reason why, and the same answer came, as did from her mother.  Finally, the old great grandmother was found who had reputedly invented the recipe.  She laughed heartily and said, "Why, dearie, that makes no difference to the cooking of the ham, it was just that my roasting pan was always a little too small to fit the whole thing in!"  Tradition, even in a family, is not always based on absolutes!  But the Word of God and His testimonies are!  What a delightful picture our verse paints.  The dedicated servant of God stands in need of counsel.  He summons his counselors and sits listening to their advice.  Surrounding him are Prayer, Meditation, and all the Testimonies of the Word of God.  The joy and delight on his face is evident as he listens and realizes the wisdom of these counselors sent from the Lord Himself.  This week, you will doubtless have need of counsel.  Do not give into temptation and rely on worldly counsel or the traditions of your elders that is contrary to the Word of God.  Find your answers in the timeless and timely testimonies of the Lord, Who knows all and has your best interests in mind.

David has just been betrayed by Doeg, a man who sought only his own profit and did not have loyalty, dignity, or honesty as his watch words.  The difficulties that Doeg’s betrayal caused David lasted for many years.  Knowing that dangers might lie ahead, David cries out to the Lord for deliverance from lies and deceit.  In our own lives we need to make the same cry to the Lord.  I don’t think that there is one Christian alive who at one time or another has not been betrayed by lies and deceit.  The surprising thing is that so often others believe those lies, even those who should have known our character the most.  The only explanation for this fact is that Satan is so often the controller of the "air waves" between individuals.  We have found this true even in family discussions.  Suddenly someone totally misunderstands the words that were spoken, usually in an important area, often in totally the opposite meaning.  Yet we have only sat a few feet apart, and our hearts were intent on understanding.  In our family, we finally realized that Satan must have taken the sound waves from the speaker’s mouth and twisted them before they reached the listener’s ears.  After all, Satan is called the prince of the power of the air.  Next time a loved one misunderstands you, take this into consideration and be angry at the right individual!  Of how much greater truth this must be when the intent of the original speaker was for evil.  Our only defense for such attacks is found in the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, for it is a spiritual battle.  Only He can deliver our soul from spiritual attacks!  In the work place, others will lie about you out of greed, jealousy, ambition or just hatred of your stand as a Christian.  Remember, the battle is the Lord’s.  Even in your private and family lives, others will lie about you and use deceit for their own advantage.  It is there that the wounding to our heart and soul is the greatest.  There is only one place to turn in such cases, and again it is the Lord.  Not only is He our only defense and deliverer, but He is the friend and brother that will never fail and can never be deceived.  Search deeper in the verse and think of its other application.  It is one that should convict us.  We, personally, need God’s deliverance from using our own tongues in lies and deceits.  Only you and God know if this is a problem area or temptation to you, personally.  Godly victories can never be won in this way, only defeat and service to the father of all lies.  We need deliverance from even a hint or momentary lapse in this area.  At one time or another, in one way or another, we will all need the deliverance of Psalm 120:2.  Claim it today and be a watchful servant!

It was very interesting to me as I read this verse over and over, that suddenly I noticed the unique way it is worded in the singular.  It is "the" (singular) way, and the Psalmist desires to keep "it" (singular) unto the end.  So often in witnessing to an unsaved person, they will give a reason for their hesitancy to be saved.  Many times that "reason" falls into this category: "I just don’t think I could keep all the rules of the Bible, so why even try."  Of course, this is just an excuse that the devil plants in their minds (I call it Excuse Number 4), and that keeping the rules has nothing to do with being saved or staying saved.  But it is also true that as one views the Bible, it would be very easy to see rule upon rule to be followed, a multitude of commandments to obey.  But our verse for today holds an amazing secret: There is just one way of all God’s statutes, and we need to keep just that one way unto the end to have victory.  That one way is found in the heart attitude of obedience!  It is just that simple.  A children’s song says: "Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe, Doing exactly what the Lord commands, Doing it happily!"  The specific use of the word statutes in this verse, demonstrates the precise choosing of words by God to help us understand the full import of the meaning of Psalm 119:33.  A statute is most often viewed as a law to be obeyed.  When God’s commandments went forth, they were given with the intention of God’s people heeding and obeying them.  Nothing that God ever commanded us to do is impossible for us to perform with His help.  He would not be a just God if His commandments were grievous or difficult to obey.  Instead the Psalmist reminds us that he would delight myself in thy statutes. (verse 16)  With that delight comes the desire to please God.  The secret is in knowing that we can never do it in our own strength.  If we think that we can, we will always either fail or vanity will attend our success.  Therefore, our verse begins with the important words: Teach me, O Lord.  The way of thy statutes is found in the attitude of the Lord Jesus who came always to do His Father’s will.  Jesus, as The Way, is certainly the total guide to the performance of God’s statutes.  As a Christian, our total commitment should be to keep it unto the end.  The end of our life, or the end of the doing of each step of obedience, are both godly goals.  Some people fall by the wayside in their Christian lives, never to actively re-enter the "race."  All too often we also stop short in the performance of our godly responsibilities.  Lord, help me to never be a half hearted or halfway Christian.  Help me to follow Your way of obedience to the end in each area that lies ahead in my life, even to the last days I live on earth.  Thank You for keeping the way simple for us, as simple as understanding total obedience to Your Word and Way.

There are three major ways that temptation enters into our hearts.  One is through our thoughts, another our hearing and also through seeing.  The Psalmist cried out to the Lord to turn away his eyes from beholding vanity.  He did not want to be tempted to turn away from the Lord and His way, so he knew he needed help from the Lord to keep his eyes from beholding those things that would tempt him.  It seems that there is temptation all around us.  Even if we have set our minds to be pure and try to think always on those things that are lovely, the devil assaults our minds when we least expect it.  We turn a corner, and a lewd billboard suddenly pops into view.  We are in traffic and our eye is drawn to a bumper sticker that has profanity.  We are watching a nice television show and suddenly a commercial regarding a suggestive show comes on.  Things that we have no control over constantly are used by the devil to undermine us.  The Psalmist knew that and he also knew that he could not prevent those sudden exposures to temptation, therefore, he asked the Lord to turn his eyes away when he had seen those things.  It is the lingering look that really leads to temptation.  King David may not have been able to avoid seeing Bethsheba on the roof top, but he could have turned away when he realized that she was bathing.  Sadly he didn’t.  His glance lingered, then he thought on what he saw, and then he gave way to temptation.  Truly we need God’s help to turn away, for in our flesh we are weak.  In reviewing the dictionary meaning for the word vanity, there were several areas that struck me in reference to this verse.  The normal meaning we understand in the Scriptures is when something is empty of spiritual meaning or value.  King Solomon used this meaning when he viewed other than godly approaches to life.  In reference to temptation, also add these other meanings and see how they apply to those areas that might be used to tempt you: "excessive pride (usually in self, possessions or attainments), something that is worthless, useless or without value."  Lord, turn away my eyes from beholding myself or my possessions or what I accomplish in a prideful way.  Help me to only behold them as reminders of the value You place upon these things and how they can be used to give You the glory!  Help me to remember also the things of sin that I could so easily behold are indeed empty and without value in sight of eternity.  The Psalmist also realized that just the turning away from vanity was only half the victory.  He, therefore, asked the Lord: quicken thou me in thy way.  To NOT do something evil is good, but to then DO something of eternal value is excellent!  The prayer is: Lord, make me alive in doing Your will and way!  One of the major "jobs" of the Holy Spirit is to make us alive to perform those things that will always please our Heavenly Father.  When we are tempted to stray from the true path that God has set before us, we need His help to be quick in stepping firmly on that path.  One of the ways of victory is found in this simple formula: when tempted, think on those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report and virtue and praise. (Philippians 4:8)  That is being quickened by the Holy Spirit to be in God’s way and think the thoughts that are pleasing to the Lord and full of victory.  Lord, help me this day as I am confronted with evil and temptation.  Help me to be alive and quick in choosing Your way for each step of my life.

God’s Word gives us many reassurances and promises that cause us to hope.  The hope of the believer is not an uncertain, wishful "hoping," but the absolute confidence that rests in a sure HOPE!  God’s assurances to us are all based upon His character and His trustworthiness.  That is the reason that they are positively certain.  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the vail. Hebrews 6:18-19  The Lord Jesus Christ, who is the very essence of God, is the same yesterday, today and forever.  He is the Truth and our constant hope.  Because He is also the Word, it is His Word that gives us the confidence in hope.  For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of truth of the gospel. Colossians 1:5  When Jesus rose from the dead it was God the Father’s absolute seal of approval and guarantee of our sure hope to come: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. I Peter 1:3  We are even told that we are saved by hope in Romans 8:24.  God will never forget His Word which caused us to hope.  We can have absolute confidence!  Not only does this hope give us an anchor for our souls that will never break loose in the storms of life or drift from the love of God, but it will also be our comfort in afflictions.  Whether the afflictions be physical, emotional or spiritual in origin, the hope given to us by God in all areas of His care and protection, love and leading will be our steadfast comfort.  When we studied Psalm 42:5, we saw the practical application of hope when we are in distress.  Throughout the worst moments of my physical illness, the oft repeated phrase from that psalm, Hope thou in God, would ring in my heart.  It was a source of great encouragement and peace to my soul, as well as a challenge to greater faith in the Lord.  In the last part of our selection for today, the Psalmist says: for thy word hath quickened me.  He knew that the word of God had made him alive, quickened him in his spirit.  Because of that assurance, he could now have the sure and certain hope that all God’s promises would remain true.  Our confidence in our salvation should most assuredly bring us hope in believing God’s word for our lives every day.  Are you downcast today?  Do you need comfort?  Hope thou in God!  Remember His character and love, being assured that He remembers all His promises to you, and, thus, have cause to hope!  His promises are sure; therefore, your afflictions are in His care and control.  Have faith.  Enter into confident Christian living!

What a sterling verse of Scripture, and that sterling is of true and eternal value!  How very sad that so many in this world refuse to understand the meaning of this verse.  There are thousands of individuals who have "sold" their souls in exchange for worldly wealth, but there are also thousands of Christians who have settled for little in the spiritual realm so that they can pursue the gaining of silver and gold.  Either they drop out of church because it interferes with worldly pursuits to gain financially, or their spiritual eyes of understanding became clouded by the desire for things of this world.  Compromise in everyday living becomes common for such people.  Even if it is contrary to the word of God and His commands, these people will justify such actions.  They will quickly show you God’s "blessings" on their finances and say, "It can’t be all wrong."  What they have failed to see is that even the unsaved have financial success in temporal things, but the only true riches that will last are those we can store up in heaven.  It is strange that it is not just the wealthy who have this problem.  At any level of the financial scale, from the poorest to the richest, we can find those who covet the things of the world above the things of God.  How much wealthier we are in the things that really count when we can claim with the Psalmist that the law of God’s mouth is more precious to us than any earthly treasure.  It is interesting that God chose to use the word law in this verse, not promises or testimonies, but law.  Our commitment level must be a lot deeper than just the shallowness of those who only want to claim the verses that they "like" or the ones that are convenient for them.  No, the Psalmist desires the law of God’s mouth, the Lord’s commands, ordinances, rules, statutes, and even God’s prohibitions!  He knows that in pursuing after these things, he will find true riches in the eternal blessings of God.  Money and possessions can be stolen or lost, but the peace of God can never be taken from our hearts when we are following Him.  Only a person of deep consecration to the Lord can claim this verse and really mean it.  We need to guard everyday that we not slip in this area.  The things of the world constantly call to us.  Compromise is always just one step away.  Discouragement with our own lives and failure to accept God’s provisions, can cause us to be envious of others.  Soon absolute adherence to the law of God can seem to be of little importance.  That is why the devil always makes a discouraged Christian doubt God’s wisdom.  The amazing thing is that God’s wisdom has always proven itself, and vain pursuit of the things of this world have always brought grief and emptiness to a Christian.  God’s Word tells us: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33  When God’s law truly becomes better to us than earthly treasures, God promises that He will supply our every need.  Only the Lord can give true treasure!

In the margin of my Bible next to this verse, I have placed a large star and these words: "The key to holiness."  Why is it that this verse is not one of the most commonly memorized verses of Scripture?  Could it be because the devil knows that the claiming of it could spell spiritual success for every Christian who will then live it!  If each step we took in our life was ordered by the Lord in His Word and we never allow ANY iniquity to have dominion over us, what a blessed and victorious life that would be.  Did you notice the word any?  Not just the "big" sins, not just the ones that others see, but all sins are included in the any category.  For years I emphasized knowing the sin that easily beset us, thinking it would be just one major sin area for each person.  But as I lived longer as a Christian, I noticed an interesting thing.  Yes, it was true that there was usually one area that easily tempted me, but as soon as I gained victory in that area, the devil had another one just waiting to lure me.  Also if I concentrated just on that one area of battle, I was soon surprised by an enemy ambush using a completely different sin, maybe even one I thought I was not tempted by.  If we give way to just one sin, it has the dominion over us.  We are in bondage, to it and its effects, until it is confessed.  Have you ever sinned, even "secretly" in one little area and had it affect your entire day until you made it right.  You didn’t feel right and there was a definite lack of peace in your heart.  Just one little sin, but how great a power.  Iniquity can so easily have dominion over us, not just in the lives of those that choose to obey it in all areas, but even when we allow momentary dominion, it can have a profound effect.  Just one bad habit can soon rule in our lives to the place where even if we are living for God in many other areas, we will not experience complete victory.  Romans 6:16 shares this fact with us: Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness.  As a Christian, I know that I should hate sin, for it is what caused Christ to go to the cross, it is what He shed His precious blood to pay for.  I should hate every sin.  How inconceivable that I should ever desire to let something I hate be my ruler.  No, I should bow before my Lord as my Master and King.  I should desire that He alone be my Ruler and that His Holy Spirit would have dominion in the kingdom of my heart.  Lord, let me use this key to holiness to unlock blessings beyond imagination in my life.  Lord, order my steps in Your word, completely in all areas in every part of my life.  Lord, place a hedge about me and a firm resolve in my heart to not allow ANY iniquity to have dominion in ANY area of my life!  Lord, You commanded me to be holy as You are holy, and with Your help, it is my desire to live as You planned for me!  Help me to memorize this verse and to live it everyday.