The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul.The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heartThe commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Psalm 19 v.7-11
How highly do you value God’s Word – that which we have in our own language in the pages of our Bibles? I don’t think it is putting it too strongly to say that David was infatuated with what he had – basically the first five books of our Bibles – as they addressed every part of his life. I wonder how many of us could have written the verses above truly from our hearts. Surely such a love for God’s law, God’s word is something to strive for, to work at, for the benefits far outweigh the effort that is put in to gain them.
At least two things are required.
Time! Is time for reading God’s Word a non-negotiable part of your daily programme? It is easy to say ‘I am too busy’ when you can find time for all the other things that are demanded of you. It may seem simplistic to ask but how much time do you spend, watching television, on Social Media, reading a newspaper, reading material that is good while there is something which is better? It is a challenging question!
Understanding! I wonder if you ever make understanding an excuse for not digging deep into God’s Word. It is too hard! Parts of it seem so far removed from my experience!
Almost anything worthwhile has to be worked at and as you read the verses above do they not shout out ‘This is supremely worthwhile’?
At the beginning of the 20th Century the Scripture Union Bible Reading Scheme was introduced and greatly blessed me and countless others. Before reading each day, we were encouraged to pray the ‘Scripture Union Prayer’ taken word for word from Psalm 119 v.18
Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Quoted from the Authorised Version because that is where I learnt it from.
That is the source of understanding – it is the work of God himself if we ask him.
So time is not an excuse. Understanding is not an excuse but surely the blessings, set out again here, should make daily study of God’s Word an absolute priority.
Reviving – giving new life, purpose and meaning in a broken world.
Trustworthy – in a world where fake news abounds and trust is often hard to find.
Right – giving joy to the heart in a world in which so much is wrong and in which there is so much sadness.
Radiant – giving light to the eyes (i.e. giving understanding in itself.)
Pure – what a beautiful word. Something that has lasting value.
Sure – as opposed to the fluctuations of an ever-changing world because they are righteous.
More precious than Gold – causing us to re-evaluate our thinking of what is important.
Sweeter than honey – and who does not love sweetness?
Warning – to keep us on the right way.
Leading to great reward – being right with God.
What a reward and the way to it is through Jesus Christ revealed in the pages of the Bible.
Let’s each re-evaluate our daily schedules to ensure we have a our priorities right.