WISDOM FROM THE PSALMS
Help for the Soul: Mind
RF, March 8, 2020
ME When I came to Christ, I experienced tremendous changes in my life. I have seen this happen to many who gave their Jesus.
WE This is the promise that Christ makes to all who come to Him by faith. You don’t have to live your life in the same way you always have; you can be changed!
The question is: What changes? You do; your soul does. What you really are is now different.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
Last week we looked at how the wisdom of Psalms impacts our emotions. Today I want to explore how wisdom from the Psalms instructs our minds and makes a huge difference in how we think. Right thinking leads to right living; stinking thinking leads to stinky living.
Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) For as he thinks in his heart, so is he… PRAYER
GOD There are many Psalms that are called Wisdom Psalms because they give us practical instruction on how to live by the wisdom of God and His Word. Some of the most well known are Psalm 1, Psalm 37, Psalm 73, Psalm 91, Psalm 119 and Psalm 139. Psalm 1 is considered an introduction or a forward to the entire book. Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm and the longest chapter in the Bible. It is an acrostic tribute to the Word of God. It contains 176 verses arranged in 22 sections of 8 verses each. The verses in each section all begin with the same Hebrew letter in alphabetical order. All of the verses except two have a reference to the Word of God.
There are eight direct references to wisdom in the Psalms. Let’s look at them and see how they can help learn wisdom.
1. Psalm 37:30–31 (NKJV) The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of justice. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
If a man walks in right standing with God (righteousness) he will speak wise words and seek justice for others. He does this because the law of God is in his heart. He has memorized it and meditated on it. His steps will be secure because they are led by the Word. Listen to these other verses from Psalms.
Psalm 40:8 (NKJV) I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”
Psalm 119:165 (NKJV) Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.
2. Psalm 49:3 (NKJV) My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall give understanding.
We speak wisdom because we have been meditating on the Word of God.
Psalms 1:2 (NKJV) But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.
Luke 6:45 (NKJV) A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
I know that you may get tired of me coming back again and again to this truth, but this has been the difference maker in my life and the lives of others who have put it into practice. Putting the Word in our heart is transforming to our heart and mind! The Word of God has a practical and a mystical quality to it. It is not just a moral code to be obeyed but it is alive! It is living and active and literally changes us from the inside out, reprogramming our minds and rewriting our spiritual DNA to conform to the image of Jesus!
James 1:21 (NLT) So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
To save means to bring to perfect health your mind, your will, and your emotions!
3. Psalm 51:6 (NKJV) Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
The wise man knows who he really is. He is honest about his shortcomings. God teaches us in our spirit and changes us from the inside out. Christianity is literally “an inside job.”
4. Psalm 90:12 (NKJV) So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90 was written by Moses; take time to read it. If anyone knew about the frailty of life, it was him! Moses was called the meekest man who ever lived. Meekness is not weakness; it is knowing who we are and who God is. Two things I know: God is God and I’m not!
5. Psalms 104:24 (NKJV) O LORD, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions—
Wisdom comes from knowing that God has a plan and a purpose for everything and everyone. God is in control.
Psalms 24:1 (NKJV) The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.
6. Psalms 105:22 (NKJV) To bind his princes at his pleasure, And teach his elders wisdom.
This verse is about Joseph. He learned wisdom by the things he suffered. He was chosen by Pharaoh to teach wisdom to his leaders. When we walk in God’s wisdom, even the world will take notice.
7. Psalm 111:10 (NKJV) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.
This is one of the foundational verses in the Bible about how to become a wise man. First, fear the Lord.
Psalms 25:14 (NKJV) The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.
Proverbs 8:13 (NKJV) The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.
The opposite is true of the world.
Psalms 36:1 (NKJV) An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes.
Second, keep His commandments. This Psalm says if we understand how God’s Kingdom works then obedience is essential.
Isaiah 59:1-2 (NKJV) Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.
It is not that God turns His back on us but sin hardens our heart and reduces our sensitivity to His voice.
8. Psalms 136:5 (NKJV) To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, For His mercy endures forever;
The Bible teaches us that God created the world by wisdom. When we speak his words of wisdom, we have creative power. This is the power of prayer.
Matthew 16:19 (NKJV) And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
The final word is this: God’s mercy never ends. All we have to do is move His way and He is right there for us. He doesn’t hold grudges.
YOU What changes do you need to make in your life? Follow these steps.
1. Search areas of struggle.
a. Failings
b. Family and Friends
c. Rebuffs
d. Rebukes
2. Seek God’s wisdom about that area.
a. Scripture
b. Counsel
3. Speak God’s wisdom.
a. Confession
b. Prayer
c. Proclaiming
4. See the change come.
a. You see it.
b. Others see it.
c. God sees it.
WE Celebrate the change we see in others: encouragement, testimony, documentation…
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