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 heart.The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring for ever. 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 you servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Psalm 19.7-11
I hope you have been as thrilled as I have to delve into this Psalm over the past nine days. You may have felt that I have stretched it too far but I found myself becoming more and more excited by it, as it exalts our God and shows us the wonder of his Word described at the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth as ‘the most valuable thing this world affords’.
In spite of nine sessions to date there are still some riches to mine so please bear with me for a few more days!
The Psalmist has extolled the glories of God and his Word and in the last phrase of verse 11 the rubber hits the road as here the very practical applications of the Word are highlighted.
Warning:
Writing to Timothy, Paul says this about the Word in which the Psalmist has been rejoicing. It is God breathed – David makes that clear as all he has been highlighting stems from God. Then it is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3.16. These four uses show us that this word is to keep us on the right path for if we are honest we need all of them if we are to be equipped for every good work v.17.
However, is it not a human trait that we do not like to be warned for we are often so sure of the rightness of our ways? We like to be masters of our own destinies and there are elements of this even in believers, so we need God’s warnings if we are to please him. Oh how gracious he is that he has given us his many faceted word for that very purpose.
But it is not just warning for secondly there is
Reward:
Not just reward but great reward. How do we gain this? By keeping the laws, commands, precepts and statutes set out in the word.
Now we must understand this in the context of the whole of God’s revelation. I cannot obey my way to being accepted by God. I simply cannot do that as my human nature is permanently inclined to break the very words that, if obeyed, bring great rewards. But when I am reconciled to God through the death of Jesus the keeping God’s word will become my delight and that is great reward.
Tomorrow we will see how David himself responded to the words of this psalm up to v.11 which he wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. But today let us allow the word to warn us and let us rejoice in the inestimable reward of being in Christ.