When we think about living a well-lived life, we often imagine achievements, adventures, and fulfilling relationships. But what does it truly mean to live well? We are all at different parts of life — middle school, a high school, or adults. Each have their own responsibilities. However, one day, we will look back on our life and wonder if we made the most of it. We’ll look back and wonder if we did we all wanted to do, left a legacy, or accomplished our goal and dreams.
David in Psalm 119:33-40 offers timeless wisdom on living well. He reveals that it is deeply connected to pursuing the Lord’s presence through His Word. The passage offers us three areas the Lord helps us in our attempts to pursue Him through His Word.

1. The Lord Will Help Teach You
“Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.” (Psalm 119:33, 34)
To do anything well, we must first be taught. This is the case for being in a marching band, playing a sport, or even learning a game like Farkle. We need instruction to improve. This holds true for our spiritual journey as well.
David prays to God, asking for the Lord to teach and help him understand God’s statutes. This prayer reflects a fundamental truth: learning and growth are essential parts of following God. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commissions us to go make disciples, baptize them, and teach them. The Great Commission expresses the importance of teaching (i.e., discipleship) in the life of the believer. As we grow in our knowledge of God, we are better equipped to live out His commands and share His love with others.
David's plea for teaching reveals a deeper truth. The Lord helps us understand His Word and guides us toward a better relationship with Him. This guidance is not merely for gaining knowledge but for living out that knowledge in our lives. As we grow in our understanding, we are better prepared to fulfill our role in the Great Commission.
2. The Lord Will Protect You
“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared. Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!” (Psalm 119:37-40)
In our attempts to follow God’s Word, we inevitably make mistakes. Yet, David reassures us that the Lord provides protection as we navigate life. He illustrates this in three ways:
Protection from Sin. In verse 37, David asks God to turn his eyes from worthless things and give him life in God’s ways. The "worthless things" refer to the emptiness and deception that sin brings. By focusing on God’s Word, we find protection from sin and its destructive consequences as the Lord walks with us in our life.
Direction to Him. Verse 38 is a plea for God to make His Word known and feared. David recognizes that understanding God’s faithfulness draws us closer to Him and away from sin. God’s promises are sure, and His faithfulness provides refuge and guidance in our pursuit of righteousness (v. 40).
Protection From Guilt. In verse 39, David seeks protection from the reproach and guilt associated with sin. He acknowledges that sin brings guilt and disapproval, which can weigh heavily on us. If any example gives us a picture of this is David’s relationship with Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Samuel 11). David send Uriah off to the front lines of a war knowing he’d die all to take his wife as his own. Yet, here in Psalm 119, David’s request for God to turn away this disappointment highlights the hope and freedom found in God’s Word, which offers forgiveness and restoration.
3. The Lord Will Guide You
“Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!” (Psalm 119:35, 36)
Guidance is crucial in our walk with God. David’s prayer reveals his desire for the Lord’s direction in his life. Just as in discipleship, where mentors guide us, we need the Lord’s help to pursue Him in His Word. He does this in a variety of ways. But, one of the most important is the role of the local church and it’s members.
For students, we organize all of the sermon series, small groups, events, lunches, and dinners as opportunities for discipleship. All of these are specifically designed to help grow students in their faith. Engaging in these activities can significantly contribute to a student’s spiritual growth and help them follow Jesus.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that the Lord’s Word provides us with a life we did not have before. I have witnessed firsthand how God’s Word brings joy, hope, and transformation to lives touched by sin and brokenness. Through the Gospel, we learn of Christ’s sacrifice and the new life He offers through His substitutionary death. The Bible leads us to this reality, offering a path to redemption and salvation from your sin. Because His Word leads you to a life you did not have before.