Life From A-Z in the Word Part 21 of 22

Psalm 119:161- 168

What are you the most passionate about?  What is it that gets you going and keeps you going?  What is it that excites and motivates you?  All of us have a passion.  Something that causes us to sit out on the edge of our chair. Your passion is what causes your heart to beat faster, your eyes to open wider and your ears to listen more carefully.  And no passion is wrong, because God is the one who gives it to you.  A poll done by Oprah Winfrey last year showed that 70% of those who participated didn’t know what their passion was in life.

Passion is a rich, soulful emotion.  Whether it makes you angry, excited, inspired or tearful, passion is something that moves you in a very powerful way.  Passion is an internal experience not an external event.

Finding your passion means connecting your head with your heart.  In our society today that is a difficult challenge because our busy, chaotic lives tend to disconnect us from our heart.

Tonight our text is found in Psalm 119:161-168.  Here in this section of eight verses David uses the 21st letter of the Hebrew alphabet to teach us what it means to have a passion for God.

If you have studied any of the Psalms you know that David was a very passionate person.  He talked about his emotions freely and often expressed them.  Here in our text he mentions his fear, joy, hate and love.

As believers, nothing in life is more important than having a passion for God.

(Turn To) Matthew 22:37-38, “Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment.” (NIV)

Since having a passion for God is so important, what does it look like?  David gives us 3 ways to be passionate about God.