Dendable Companion

DEPENDABLE COMPANION

TEXT: PSALMS 119:89-96.

_🔑KEY VERSE "Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction" (PSALMS 119:92).

Priscilla J. Owens, a renowned hymn writer, taught in a public school for 49 years. As a member of the Union Square Methodist Church in Baltimore, she composed at least 253 hymns with focus on the power of God's word. Of note is "Give Me the Bible," a hymn she composed in 1883.

At large, the hymn shows the Holy Scripture is dependable and powerful. It is what every believer needs at this trying time when it is becoming difficult worldwide to have a dependable companion. We have cases of people tricking their friends to be kidnapped for ransom. Some gave up their blood relations for money. Security has broken down in many countries, particularly in developing nations, so much that life is almost meaningless, while justice is a mirage.

Our text acknowledges the efficacy of God's words. Also, it acknowledges the immutability of the Almighty in whom there is no variableness nor shadow of turning. God's faithfulness from generation to generation lends more credence to the durability and reliability of His word.

Malachi 3:6 further confirms the dependability of God's word: "I am the LORD, I change not." Scriptural proofs suggest that the eternal quality is not subject in any way to the elements of nature. That explains why the psalmist always found solace in the powerful influence of the Word in his affliction. The word of the Lord is a pleasant companion at all times.

The best evidence of our love for the word of God is to read and live by it daily. The more of His word you have in you, the more His abiding presence is assured. Like the psalmist, all believers need to consciously read and meditate on God's words daily; honour and keep all His commandments.

✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY A man is vulnerable when he forsakes God's words.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR JEREMIAH 22-24.

MEDITATION

The Unchanging Word of God

1. The word of God is of heavenly origin though written by man, v89. No other book fits into that.

2. The Triune God has fully ratified and testified to the Bible as His word. Calling it the word of God is not just supposition, imposition or information, it is divine mandate, v89.

3. It does not contain any error for God to disown it as His word. He is well pleased with it in this present form just as He is pleased with His Son, v89, Matthew 3:17.

4. It is not subject to revision, modification, addition or substraction or else it ceases to be the word of God, v89, Revelation 22:18,19.

5. Even though the world, knowledge, culture and ages are changing, yet the word of God is still the same for all generations and in all situations. Its verdicts are true and final in all cases, vv89,90.

6. All the creations of God, including the earth and the galaxies, are all subject to the word of God. Speak the word of God and they must all obey the word, vv90,91.✅

7. The Bible will outlive the heavens and the earth, v89, Matthew 24:35.

8. The word of God is imperishable and whosoever keeps and abide in the word of God will never perish, v92.👌

9. The word of God is the breath of God in written form just as water can be converted to other forms. As the breath of God has life giving power, so is the word of God, v93.

10. All human perfections are relative, but the word of God is absolutely perfect, v96.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Praise God for the gift of the word of God🙏

2. Promise God, that you will study and keep His word at all times🙏

3. Ask God for the life giving power of the word to be working effectually in your life🙏

1. Pray that the word that comes from the pulpit will always be filled with life giving power and fire🙏

HYMN

THE BIBLE STANDS

1. The Bible stands like a rock undaunted

'Mid the raging storms of time;

Its pages burn with the truth eternal, 

And they glow with a light sublime.

Chorus:

The Bible stands tho' the hills may tumble,

It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble;

I will plant my feet on its firm foundation, 

For the Bible stands, 

2. The Bible stands like a mountain tow'ring 

Far above the works of man;

Its truth by none ever was refuted, 

And destroy it they never can. *Chorus*

3. The Bible stands and it will forever, 

When the world has passed away;

By inspiration it has been given,

All its precepts I will obey. *Chorus*

4. The Bible stands every test we give it,

For its Author is divine;

By grace alone I will expect to live it,

And to prove it and make it mine.