Do you have a phrase, saying, quote or slogan that pretty much sums up your view on life? If so, you may frequently find yourself ‘using’ it when someone is telling you about their problems, complaining about someone else or challenging your position on something. Those who know you well will associate this phrase with you (they’ve heard you say it many times over the years). If your friends or family members hear someone else use the same phrase, they will immediately think of you.
Occasionally people use these phrases when trying to sound witty or to express genuine concern; other times they are just being rude, indifferent or blunt. But regardless of the motivation or circumstance, more often than not, these recurring pronouncements can provide true insight into a person’s attitudes and/or beliefs.
How many of the dozen examples below can you directly associate with someone you know?
- You can’t keep a good man down.
- Rules were made to be broken.
- Every cloud has a silver lining.
- You better take care of yourself, nobody else will.
- Don’t feel like the Lone Ranger.
- When you get knocked down, you better get back up.
- Lead, follow or get out of the way.
- Don’t cry over spilt milk.
- If you’re gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough.
- It takes two to tango.
- Honesty is the best policy.
- It’s my way or the highway.
What does each one of these phrases mean to you? Do you say one of these or something similar on a regular basis? What does is communicate to others when you do so? If you end up on the receiving end of someone else using one of the phrases, you may feel encouraged, frustrated, hurt, supported, enlightened, disregarded, accepted, disillusioned, etc.
When the angel Gabriel told Mary that she was going to be the virgin mother of Jesus, the Son of God, her response included a very powerful phrase.
- Luke 1:38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Although Mary was speaking directly to Gabriel, her response was directed toward God. In a beautiful demonstration of heartfelt surrender, she was saying, ‘Since God is my Lord and I am His slave, whatever He says is what I want!’ And since our Lord selected her to be Christ’s mother, I think I can safely presume that this phrase really did reveal the desire of her heart to live in a way that was pleasing to God.
Mary’s slogan was, 'According to Your Word.’
The primary points emphasized in Psalm 119 are contemplations, confidence, comfort and completeness connected to the Word of God. And although we are not certain who wrote the 119th Psalm, the author expressed the same sentiment as Mary. With that focus, speaking directly to the Lord, the psalmist used the phrase ‘according to Your word’ twelve times in 176 verses (NKJV).
How many of the twelve verses below should we be applying directly and consistently to our lives?
Psalm 119:
- 9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.
- The path to holiness is attentiveness to and application of God’s Word!
- 25 My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.
- When you feel like life isn’t worth living, ask God to restore your life by the truths from His Word!
- 28 My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word.
- If you are grieving over sin in your life, God’s Word can lift you above your guilt!
- 41 Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord— Your salvation according to Your word.
- We all need God’s kindnesses, we are rescued by His Word!
- 58 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; Be merciful to me according to Your word.
- When you beg for God’s favor, His pity is connected to the promises in His Word!
- 65 You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your word.
- As you acknowledge blessings from your Lord, don’t act surprised; His Word repeatedly declares His love for you!
- 76 Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, According to Your word to Your servant.
- Seek comfort from your Master, pray for the true rest found in God’s grace as expressed in His Word!
- 107 I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
- When you are suffering, ask God to enable you to live the life that He promises in His Word for His children!
- 116 Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
- When life is hard, ask God to carry you with the power of His Word; and openly rejoice as He does!
- 154 Plead my cause and redeem me; Revive me according to Your word.
- Ask the Lord to stand with you and set you free, eternal life is found in His Word!
- 169 Let my cry come before You, O Lord; Give me understanding according to Your word.
- Humble yourself before the Lord and ask Him to hear you, ask for understanding as you contemplate His Word!
- 170 Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word.
- Pray that God will listen to your requests, but trust that He will act according to His Word!
God often uses repetition
to reinforce our understanding and
to reemphasize certain truths.
Could, ‘According to Your Word’
be the phrase that people need to hear
repeatedly coming from you?
Prayer
Heavenly Father: save us, guide us, equip us, protect us, provide for us and use us, according to Your Word. May we live faithfully, according to Your Word. Empower us to live a life that glorifies Your Name according to Your Word. May the lost be found according to Your Word. I pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
