A Look at Psalm 119:79
Becoming an Example Worth Following
Psalm 119:79 “May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes.”
Once again David tells is using his own life as an example for others to follow. All he is really saying is,
“Follow me, as I follow Christ.” In the Old Testament especially, godly men were the only example anyone had to follow. They were an example of righteousness for others.
In the New Testament, Jesus is our example of righteous living. When He left this earth, He said, “But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you” John 16:7. In
verse 10 of the same chapter, He tells us that the Holy Spirit will convict us of righteousness because He (Jesus) is going to be with the Father, where we will no longer be able to see Him.
While Jesus was on earth, He was our example of righteousness but now that He is with the Father, we no longer can see Him. Therefore, He sent us His Spirit, to remind us of how He lived. Those who understand His statutes, or those who obey His laws, can now turn to the Counselor for direction as to how to live. The Counselor will convict us as to how Jesus lived.
The Holy Spirit will often use a person who understands the statues of God as a source of conviction. Those who understand God’s statutes and live by them, find that their very lives convict others. So in essence, David said, “You who understand the statutes of God, and you that fear the Lord, turn to me. Follow me as I follow Christ.” David’s very life served as a source of conviction to those who desired to follow God.
Take some time to let this verse sink in; ask God to give you a heart like David’s. He was willing to pattern his life after his Lord’s so that he could become a living example for others to follow.
Continued
