Measuring Your Commitment

Psalm 119:9-16

Scripture Reference

Psalm 119:9-16

Introduction

Sermon Title: “Measuring Your Commitment”

Preacher: Dr. Terry LeQuieu

We live in a busy season of life where activities, vacations, conferences, and obligations can crowd out our spiritual walk. Dr. Terry LeQuieu calls us to stop, reassess, and measure our commitment to the Lord by returning to the Scriptures. Using Psalm 119:9-16, he outlines how a believer—especially young adults approaching the responsibilities of adulthood—can cleanse, cherish, commit, and continue in the Word so that temptation is met with God’s truth and life is kept on course. This message is practical, heart-searching, and rooted firmly in the KJV Word of God.

We are going to start our study on Galatians on Sunday night. I think I mistold everybody. But anyway, shame, shame. Hey, be even more ready. Kicking it off Sunday night. Amen.

Quote from Preacher

This introductory quote from Dr. Terry LeQuieu sets the tone—be ready, be accountable, and be attentive to the Word as we begin fresh studies and renewed commitments.

Outline

Focus Our Hearts
1. Assure the Direction
  Psalm 119:9 opens with the question: “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” The heart needs direction. The Bible is our lamp and light (Psalm 119:105). To measure commitment we must check that our steps align with Scripture. Focus means intentionally choosing God’s map instead of the world’s detours.
2. Aware of the Dangers
  David follows “with my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.” Even earnest seekers can drift by fatigue or distraction. The “summer slump” or seasonal busyness can make us weary and vulnerable. Measuring commitment requires honest self-examination: am I drifting because I’m tired, distracted, or misaligned?
3. Refocus Regularly
  Like adjusting a lens, believers must re-center on Christ. Practical examples in the message—restarting Bible reading rhythms, re-committing to prayer, prioritizing worship—are ways to refocus. Use Scripture to evaluate choices and priorities: seek ye first the kingdom (Matthew 6:33) and set your affection on things above (Colossians 3:1).
Feed Our Hearts
1. Hoard the Word in the Heart
  “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Memorization and internalization of Scripture are not mere nostalgia; they are practical weapons against temptation (compare Matthew 4 where Christ answered Satan from Scripture). If storms come and external resources fail, hidden Scripture sustains. Measure your commitment by how much of God’s Word you carry within you.
2. Hear the Word with Humility
  “Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.” Being teachable is vital. The most committed Christians are learners—listening, receiving correction, and applying truth. Silence and stillness (1 Kings 19:11-13; “be still, and know that I am God”) enable hearing. Evaluate: do you hunger to learn, or have you grown complacent?
3. Herald the Word with Joy
  “With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth: I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies.” Feeding the heart produces testimony. A measured commitment shows itself in vocal praise, testimony, and sharing biblical truths with others. If the Word blesses you, you should gladly tell others—your joy in Scripture should match your joy in temporal riches.
Fix Our Hearts
1. Meditate on Precepts
  “I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.” Fixing the heart means chewing on the Word—contemplation and repeated reflection that leads to conviction and transformation. Meditation moves Scripture from head knowledge into heart change.
2. Respect God’s Ways
  Respecting God’s ways means treating Scripture with reverence and obedience. It is not merely academic; it is practical worship. When a person respects the Lord’s statutes, choices begin to change and priorities shift.
3. Delight Continually
  “I will delight myself in thy statutes”—commitment endures when delight replaces drudgery. Delight does not mean the absence of conviction or challenge; it means you rejoice that God corrects and shapes you. Rejoicing in conviction is a sign of growth.
4. Remember and Resolve
  “I will not forget thy word.” Fixing the heart also includes memorializing God’s work in your life—dates of salvation, recommitment, or special services—and resolving to hold fast. A measured commitment creates spiritual memorials that encourage perseverance.

Summary

Dr. LeQuieu draws from Psalm 119:9–16 three practical responses for measuring and strengthening our commitment: focus your heart, feed your heart, and fix your heart. Focus by making God’s Word your guide and refocusing when life’s noise pulls you away. Feed by hiding Scripture in your heart, humbly hearing God’s Word, and testifying about it. Fix by meditating, respecting God’s ways, delighting in His statutes, and creating spiritual memorials so you will not forget. True commitment is not a one-time emotion, but a sustained pattern of Scripture-centered living.

I will not forget thy word.

Quote to Ponder

This short but resolute declaration from Psalm 119:16—”I will not forget thy word”—is both a promise and a measuring stick. If you cannot say it honestly, then consider the steps above as a roadmap back to that posture.

Application for the Week

Practical, actionable steps to measure and grow your commitment this week:

Daily Scripture Intake
Set a simple, realistic plan to read a portion of the Bible every day for one week. Start small if needed (one Psalm or one chapter). The goal is consistency—reestablish a quiet time habit. If you currently do not read daily, begin with five to ten minutes each morning or evening.
Memorize One Verse
Choose one verse from Psalm 119:9–16 (for example, verse 11: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”) Memorize it this week. Write it on a card, put it on your phone lock screen, and recite it daily. This begins the process of “hoarding” Scripture in your heart.
Silence to Hear
Schedule two 10–15 minute windows of silence—no phone, no music, no distractions—to pray and listen. Be still and ask God, “What part of Your Word do I need to focus on?” Record any impressions in a notebook.
Share One Testimony
Tell someone this week what God has taught you from your quiet time or the verse you memorized. It can be a text, a short conversation, or sharing during a small group. Practicing testimony strengthens what you have learned.
Make a Spiritual Memorial
Write down one spiritual milestone from your life (salvation, recommitment, a service that changed you) and the date. Keep it in your Bible or journal. If you cannot think of one beyond salvation, make today your memorial by committing in writing to a renewed walk with God.
Accountability
Pick a fellow believer (peer, mentor, or small group leader) and agree to check in at the end of the week about your reading, memorization, and testimony. Accountability helps sustain commitment.
Evaluate and Recommit
At the end of the week, measure where you are spiritually. Ask: Did I focus on the Word? Did I feed my heart? Did I begin to fix my heart? Pray, and if needed, recommit with a specific action plan for the next week.

Beloved, measuring your commitment is not a call to guilt but to grace-driven progress. The Lord will meet you as you return to His Word. He will teach you, keep you, and help you to finish what He has started in you. Begin today, and let Psalm 119 be your guide as you walk back into closer fellowship with the Lord.