Dr. Matthew R. St. John Bethel Church January 11, 2015

Taking it Home 

One commentator wrote of Psalm 119 that it “speaks the language of one ravished with moral beauty, to which there is only one fitting response—to try to reproduce this beauty, as much as possible, in one’s daily life” (ESV Study Bible). Spend some time and read through and meditate on the rich lines of this incredible psalm. You might consider reading through one section a day for 22 days, or maybe one section a week for 22 weeks. Find verses to memorize, such as verse 11 or verse 105.

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Develop a simple habit of applying the truth of Psalm 119:94a in prayer. For instance, when tempted, pray, “but Lord, I am yours.” Or, when afraid, pray, “but Lord, I am yours.” What issues might you bring to the Lord this way? Be as thorough in your consideration as possible.

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Just as this phrase, “I am yours,” is a powerful truth for us individually before God, so it is true if we make it plural: we are yours, or toward you, we. What might be the implications of pluralizing this phrase for your whole family, or you and your friends, or Bethel Church? What might God’s ownership and our movement toward him mean as we relate to those around us, our community, and our world?

I Am Yours Psalms 119:94

I Am Yours Notes:

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At Home Study Guide

Growing Deeper

For the week of January 11, 2015 Psalms 119:94

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Psalm 119 is a powerful portrayal of the dignity of God’s Word and the way in which God’s Word is life-giving to those who absorb it. It is broken up into 22 sections, each section representing a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each section has eight verses; and with few exceptions, each verse of the psalm makes some reference to God’s law. Take a few minutes and read through Psalm 119.

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Verse 94 puts forward a simple declaration regarding the identity of everyone who fears and follows the one true God: I am yours. The phrase “I am” brings to mind the entirety of an individual—his or her whole self. It suggests that the whole self is being directed somewhere; in this case, toward the Lord. Are you one offering your whole self to the Lord, or are you holding back some parts of yourself, compartmentalizing your relationship with God, giving him only what is comfortable or convenient? Think through this very carefully, asking yourself why you may be motivated to withhold some of who you are from the Lord.

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It is important to note that the phrase “I am” is in the present tense. Why did Pastor Matthew say this was an important detail?

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In the Hebrew language the word “yours” is literally “to you,” making the entire phrase something akin to “I am toward you,” or, specifically, “toward you, I.” Of course, the “you” in question is Yahweh, the one true God. As we think about how we live our lives—regarding our purpose and identity and what defines us—what are the implications of the directional tone found in words like “toward you, I”?

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In addition to the word “yours” having a directional tone, with us moving toward God, it also appears to have a possessive tone, indicating that we belong to God—that he owns us. Being that God owns you, in what way does this truth influence who you are and how you live?

Quick Review: There is so much in our lives that wishes to capture our affection and energy and steer us away from ultimate life-giving place, which is the presence of the Living God. As the psalmist disciplines himself to be singularly devoted to the Lord, he puts forward this powerful axiom that celebrates reality, affirming what matters most for any true disciple.

My Story 

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Take some time and think about a season during which you felt like a flag flailing in the stiff wind, held to the flag pole by only one grommet. You felt lonely, perhaps scared, and just maybe, like that flag, out-of-control. What contributed to you being in that season, and assuming you moved past it, what helped that season come to an end?

What owns you? Is it your job? Is it your physical health? Is it your past? Is it some addiction? When you think about who or what it is that truly defines who you are and what you do and why, what comes to your mind?

Related to the previous paragraph, have you ever wondered what it would be like to be defined by something—or Someone—better than what defines you today? What might be required to get you to that new place?