RPG Adults
GOD’S WORD KEEPS VANITY AWAY
LORD’S DAY, JANUARY 21
Psalm 119:37-38
Numbers 15:37-41
“…ye seek not after your own heart
and your own eyes…”
GOD’S WORD KEEPS VANITY AWAY
The word “vanity” in Psalm 119:37 speaks of destructive evil things aside from their uselessness. It has also the idea of falsehood and lying. This is of course the work of the devil. This causes many believers to become useless in God’s work. They may be saved, but their testimonies as doers of truth are ruined and rendered ineffective. The psalmist prays that he be spared from becoming a victim of the devil.
Turn away my eyes: The literal meaning of “turn away” is to cause to pass. The eyes are the gateway to the vain attractions of this world. Through this avenue comes the lust of the eyes that will in turn affect the mind and the heart. If he beholds and continues to look at vanity which magnetises the fleshly desires of man, he will not be able to withstand the pressure and thus succumb to the temptations. He prays that his eyes be moved away from gazing at wicked things.
Quicken Thou me: The psalmist is not satisfied with having his eyes spared from the danger, but continues with another imperative to seek God’s favour to quicken him. It seeks God’s bolder action which is to preserve him. The word “quicken” which means “to live” is used in an intensive tense that renders the word to mean to revive him from the dullness of his life, probably influenced by the vain things that trouble him. He needs the Lord’s preservation. He does not want to stray away from God.
Stablish Thy Word: The psalmist continues with his appeal, asking God to set up the Word in his life. He prays that the Lord will establish His Word in him so that he be not tempted to behold vanity and be destroyed. This he prays because he is a man who fears the Lord. He understands well the judgment of God upon those who give in to vanity. It has also the strong element of reverence that acknowledges the thrice holy God! The Word built up in him causes him to stand against the wiles of the evil one.
Dear reader, vain things are temporal. Do not deceive yourself!
THOUGHT: Do my eyes still gaze upon the vain things in this world?
PRAYER: Father, turn my eyes upon Jesus and Thy Word. Let me not fall into the trap of Satan through the vanities of life.