YOU EITHER HAVE IT OR YOU DON’T

Pastor Rick Jackson

Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

This verse has been a great comfort to me over the years. I have resorted to this verse during many trials and yet I can tell you honestly that I believe I have not plumbed the depths of the power locked in this single verse. I feel like I have been wading in its truth, basking in its joy and standing on its promise but as a child without complete understanding. May the Dear Lord help us to launch out a little today.

Before we can look at the peace that this verse offers and the promise this verse proclaims we must see first:

I. THE PEOPLE AND THE PROCESS OF THIS VERSE

“they which love thy law”

One of the first things we must determine before we examine this point is what does this verse mean by the term “the law.” The law in the Scriptures can refer to all of the Bible, certain portions of the Bible, or even, as used in the New Testament, a method by which some erroneously think they can achieve salvation.

Here I believe the Holy Spirit means the Word of God in its totality. 2 Kings 17:13 shows us that “the law” can refer to more than the Pentateuch.

Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.

And since Psalm 119 deals with the totality of the Word of God I believe that it is a safe assumption to say in Ps. 119:165 He is referring to the Word of God in its totality, even the New Testament. “But Brother Rick, when David wrote this the New Testament hadn’t been written.” On earth it did not exist, this is true. Verse 89 of this chapter declares, “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” So who are “they which love thy law?”

1. YOU CAN’T REALLY LOVE IT UNLESS YOU’RE SAVED! [v 41, 42, 81, 155]

2. YOU CAN’T REALLY LOVE IT UNLESS YOU REALIZE IT’S PURPOSE! [19:7]

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple

3. YOU CAN'T REALLY LOVE IT UNLESS YOU GET IN IT! [v. 9-11, Jm. 1:21-25]

This gets us to the place where we can examine:

II. THE PEACE OF THIS VERSE [119:165]

Isaiah 48:22 There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.
Isaiah 57:21 There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.

1. IT IS PEACE WITH GOD [Rm. 5:1]

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Ps 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

2. IT IS THE PEACE OF GOD [Philippians 4:7]

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds ° through Christ Jesus.
Acts 10:36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

3. IT IS PEACE IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM [1 Thessalonians 1:1;2:14]

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. ... For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Now you might think that the "peace" we have looked at is the promise of the verse but look again. The peace is a given, so that brings us to:

III. THE PROMISE OF THE VERSE

"and nothing shall offend them." The word "offend" is the Hebrew word "mikshowl" and occurs 14 times in the Old Testament. 8 times it is translated "stumblingblock", 3 times "Offend" or a variation thereof, 2 times "ruin" and 1 time "fall". This helps us to understand the promise. The person who loves the Word of God has great peace and nothing will be a stumblingblock to them.

IN THE N.T. NOTE:

1. IT IS THE WEAK THAT STUMBLE [Romans 14:13]

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
1 Corinthians 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

2. IT IS THE UNBELIEVER WHO STUMBLES [1 Corinthians 1:23]

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock , and unto the Greeks foolishness;

3. IT IS THE STRONG WHO LOVES THE WORD [Romans 4:20]

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.2 2 Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
1 John 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

Notice that Paul said we are weak but in Him is our strength and He will lift us up when we fall because our love is imperfect in the flesh. But to be as strong as we can be we have to be people of the Book!

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.