God’s Word is Fixed in the Heavens
Psalm 119:89-96
In the early 1500s there were no Bibles in England written in the English language. The only Bibles were in Latin, which most pastors couldn’t even read.
So the church was full of unbiblical teaching, and people thought they would be saved by going to church, or by giving money to the church, or by saying prayers at the church. Nothing was taught about trusting Jesus Christ as Savior, Lord, and Treasure. So England was full of spiritual darkness.
But then God raised up William Tyndale. He knew that Bibles in English would shine light into this darkness. So he gave his life to translating the Bible into English, even though this meant risking his life, because the Church had outlawed English Bibles.
So finally, after years of work, the New Testament was finished, and for the first time people could read it for themselves. And household by household the light of the gospel started spreading throughout England. But as this was happening church leaders arrested William Tyndale, and killed him.
As I read our next passage in Psalm 119, I thought of William Tyndale. Because this passage tells us what it is about this book that would move a man to risk his life so that we could have this book, and read this book.
So let’s turn to Psalm 119 vv.89-96. If you need a Bible, please raise your hand so we can bring one to you. These verses in Psalm 119 are on page 514 in the Bibles we are passing out.
As we read these verses, notice that the first verse and the last verse tell us about the perfect truth of God’s word. I think that means the main point of these eight verses is the absolute, unchanging, flawless truth of the Bible. So let’s read, starting with verse 89 - -
89 Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.
94 I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad.
Let’s start with verse 89. Here he tells us that God’s word is firmly fixed in the heavens. So what does it mean that God’s word is firmly fixed in the heavens?
God’s word refers to everything taught in this book. So the words in this book are not just in this book. They are also firmly fixed in the heavens. Which means that these words will always be true, no matter what happens on earth.
So, no tragedy can change the truth of these words. No trial can change the truth of these words. No sin can change the truth of these words. No war can change the truth of these words. No layoffs can change the truth of these words. No disappointment will change the truth of these words.
Nothing can change the truth of these words, because they are firmly fixed in the heavens forever.
Now to help us see how huge this is, let’s look at some specific verses.
Turn to John 6: 35. That’s on page 892 in the Bibles we passed out. In this verse Jesus gives us a powerful description of who he is - -
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
We all have heart hungers and thirsts. We thirst for joy, meaning, security, excitement. And Jesus promises that if we will come to him, and believe in him, that he will completely satisfy all our heart hungers and thirsts in himself.
But now look at those words in your Bibles again. And understand that those words are not just here in this book, they have been firmly fixed in the heavens. So nothing can change their truth.
But how can we who are sinful come to Jesus, the perfectly righteous and holy Son of God? To answer that, turn to Isaiah 53:6. That’s on page 614 in the Bibles we passed out. Look at what God’s word says --
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him [that’s Jesus Christ] the iniquity of us all.
We have all gone astray from God, and sinned against him. And because God is perfectly holy and righteous, our sin must be punished. But in great love and mercy God laid our iniquity on Jesus Christ, who was punished in our place. And so everyone who trusts Jesus Christ is completely forgiven for all his or her iniquities.
So read those words in Isaiah 53:6 again, and understand that those words are firmly fixed in heaven – which means nothing will ever make them change.
But you might wonder, will I be able to keep trusting Jesus all the way to the end? Isn’t it possible that some trials or temptations would make me fall away? To answer that, turn to Philippians 1:6, which is on page 980 in the Bibles we passed out - -
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Because you are trusting Jesus Christ today, that shows God has begun a good work in you. And because God has begun a good work in you, he himself promises that he will complete it. He will strengthen you, he will help you, he will bring you back to himself, he will not let you fall away.
Those words have been firmly fixed in the heavens, and nothing will ever change them.
But what about the trials that come our way? What about sickness, disappointments, hardships, and pain? To see what God says about our trials, turn to 2 Corinthians 4: 17, which is on page 966 in the Bibles we passed out.
Look at what God tells us about our trials, and remember that these words are firmly fixed in the heavens forever –
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
For those who are trusting Jesus Christ, every trial we face is producing for us greater joy in Christ’s glory forever. And no trial, no hardship, no sorrow, no sickness, nothing can change the truth of those words.
Let that encourage you, and strengthen you, and motivate you.
One last example. Turn to Revelation 21:1-4. That’s on page 1041 in the Bibles we passed out. These verses describe the future of those who have trusted Jesus Christ, loved Jesus Christ, suffered for Jesus Christ, and lived for Jesus Christ.
And as you read these words, think about how they are firmly fixed by God in the heavens --
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
These words are firmly fixed by God in the heavens, which means they will always be true.
- So keep battling temptation, because you will be part of the holy city.
- Keep making disciples, because they will be part of the bride prepared for Jesus.
- Keep laboring in prayer, because when you see God it will all be worth it.
- Keep persevering, no matter what the difficulties, because he will wipe away every tear from your eyes.
Every word in this book has been firmly fixed by God in the heavens, which means everything these words teach will always be true.
But how can we be sure of that? How can we be sure that God’s words will always be true? The author gives us two reasons in verses 90-91. The first reason is because God is faithful. That’s in the beginning of verse 90 - -
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations…
For God to be faithful means that what he says, he does. Period. God never says one thing, and does another. There is no gap between his words and his deeds. That’s the first reason we can be sure that God’s words will always be true.
The second reason is because God is sovereign. Here is why this is so important. I could promise to meet you at Starbucks tomorrow, and fully intend to be faithful to my word. But what if I get a flat tire on the way? That would keep me from fulfilling my word.
But God is sovereign over flat tires, people, nations, health, everything. That’s the next point the author makes. Start at the beginning of verse 90 again --
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants.
God has established the earth, which means it is entirely under his sovereign control. So all things are God’s servants, ultimately accomplishing his will.
So, since God is in sovereign control over everything, nothing can stop him from doing what he says he will do. So since God is faithful, and sovereign, we can be absolutely sure that God’s words will always be true.
So how will this truth about God’s word affect us? What will happen to us when we understand that God’s words are firmly fixed in the heavens? In vs.92-94 the author tells us four ways this truth has affected him, to help us see four ways this truth will affect us.
First, we will turn to God’s law in all our afflictions. You can see that in verse 92 --
92 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
When we face afflictions it can feel like everything around us is shaking. But God’s law tells us that God loves us, God is in control, this trial will bring us eternal joy in God’s glory – and these words had been firmly fixed in the heavens. So when we understand that, we will turn to God’s law in all our afflictions.
Second, we will remember God’s precepts, because they give us life. That’s in verse 93 --
93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.
We’re always seeking life. And the life we are looking for is only found in knowing God through Jesus Christ, and this happens through God’s word. So read, learn, memorize, and not forget God’s word.
Third, we will seek God’s precepts and know that God will save us. You can see that in verse 94 --
94 I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts.
Imagine you were drowning in the ocean, and people had thrown you life preservers, but only one of them would keep floating; all the others would sink. It would make sense to seek that one floating life preserver; and when you got to it you would be assured that it would save you.
Only God and his words will keep floating. Seek his precepts, trust his precepts, and know that he will save you.
Fourth, we will let nothing keep us from learning God’s word. You can see that in verse 95 --
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies.
The wicked could destroy him, but they can’t do anything to change the truth of God’s word. Because the promises, the encouragement, and the teaching of God’s word, are firmly fixed in the heavens, and will always be true.
So when his life is in danger, he considers God’s word, studies God’s word, continues to learn God’s word.
But the author is not finished. He has one last truth to give us about God’s word. So what final truth does he give us about God’s word? It’s in verse 96 --
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad.
As he looks at the world around him, he sees that there is a limit to all perfection. Which means that the world does not have perfection. But when he looks at God’s commandment, he sees that it is exceedingly broad, which means that God’s word has limitless perfection; it is perfect.
And of course, the reason God’s words are perfect is because they are GOD’S words. It’s because when we come to this book with faith in Jesus Christ we will meet the perfect God, we will hear his perfect promises, we will see his perfect attributes, we will know his perfect commands, we will receive his perfect encouragement.
Questions?
This book is perfect. Its words have been firmly fixed in the heavens. So love it, read it, study it, learn it, trust it.