In last Sunday’s sermon, we used Psalm 119:37 as a basis for presenting some “worthless things” from which we are to look away. “Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.” We must look away from idolatry (covetousness – Col. 3:5), objects of sexual lust (Job 31:1), avenues of addiction and escape (Prov. 23:31), wickedness (Ps. 101:3) and past sins (Gen. 19:26).

As we know, it is not enough to turn away from, abstain, and forsake that which is worthless. We must actively pursue that which is good. Time did not allow us to consider alternative objects for our vision in the sermon, so they are offered here.

1. God’s Word. Keeping the text of our study in its immediate context, the alternative to worthless things is God’s Word. Psalm 119 is about the greatness of God’s written revelation. In the stanza of our text (vs. 33-40), the psalmist desires to learn, keep, observe, walk in, delight in, and long for God’s Word.

While worthless things are found in the world, wondrous things are found in God’s law (v. 18). God’s commandments give us comfort (v. 52), more understanding than our teachers (vs. 98-100), a lamp to our feet (vs. 105, 130), and direction to our steps (v. 133). The words of Scripture are the divine revelation of God’s mind and will for our lives (1 Cor. 2:9-13). Because of this, we “rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure” (Ps. 119:162).

We need to set aside time every day so we can turn our eyes to reading God’s word. We need to delight in God’s law and meditate upon it day and night (Ps. 1:2). It is nourishment for our soul. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4).

2. Virtuous and praiseworthy things. Paul called on the Philippians to shine as lights in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation (Phil. 2:15). There were plenty of worthless things for them to see, but Paul admonished, “finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things” (4:8).

We live in a dark and wicked world, however there are many true, noble, pure, and praiseworthy things for us to see and contemplate around us. Christians aren’t called to ignore the evil that exists around them, but to overcome this evil with good (Rom. 12:21) and purposely fix our eyes on that which is pure and holy.

3. Those who are faithful. Not only are there good things for us to see, but there are also good people for us to watch. In Psalm 101:3, David proclaimed, “I will set nothing wicked before my eyes.” As an alternative, he said, “My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land” (v. 6). The man after God’s own heart purposely looked to others who were striving to follow God.

Newsfeeds give us a constant stream of those who are doing wicked things around us. However, most of our brethren are trying to live godly lives. We must not allow the presence of weak and hypocritical Christians ruin the example of others who are sincere. We must take notice of their good work and watch the good example they are setting before us (Phil. 3:17).

We also have the examples of the faithful men and women recorded in Scripture. Their good words and actions are recorded for our learning (Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:6, 11). Hebrews chapter eleven contains numerous examples, but that passage only scratches the surface. Woven throughout the Bible are accounts of men and women who did their best to serve God in the circumstances in which they lived. We need to look to their examples for strength and comfort.

4. Jesus Christ. “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1-2). Above all others, our Lord gives the best example for us to contemplate and follow.

Jesus was God in the flesh (John 1:14), giving us a perfect pattern of grace and truth while He was here on the earth. As the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5), Jesus revealed what it means to live in perfect submission to the Father and to put the needs of others first.

Jesus had eyes. He had a choice regarding what to see and watch. He “was in all points tempted as we are” (Heb. 4:15), which means He encountered the “lust of the eyes” (1 John 2:16) just like we do. He overcame those encounters, and so can we.

Conclusion: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). Only those who are pure in heart will see God. The eyes are the primary entryway to the heart; thus, it is important that we turn away our eyes from looking at worthless things.