Scripture:
Vs 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
Vs 8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
Vs 9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
Vs 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
Observation:
The psalmist is effusive in his compliments for the Word of God.
They revive His soul … make him wise … rejoice his heart … enlighten his eyes.
The Lord is to be feared more than anything because he endures forever.
His Word is to be desired more than anything because it is true, worthy, and sweet.
Application:
Do I want to be revived? Do I want wisdom? Do I want rejoicing? Do I want to see clearly?
If the obvious answer is, “YES!”, then why don’t I want the Word of God more than anything?
If I am seeking something from a different source, I must think I will get want I want from that different source.
When I am seeking these things, but not engaging the Word of God, it’s because …
I think I’ll get wisdom from another author, or pundit, or latest “podcast”.
I think I’ll get rejoicing (“joy” … “happiness”) from entertainment … Netflix, etc.
I think I’ll see more clearly from another person … someone who’s been down that road.
And maybe I will get all those things.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with podcasts, entertainment, or other people …
But what do I seek first? … Is it the Word of God? … Or is it the other sources?
Why would I go to other sources than the Word of God? … Because I choose distraction!
The distractions provide as sort of escapism from the pressing issues of the day.
Ultimately … it’s idolatry.
I desire answers I want more than the answer I know the Word of God provides.
I desire to live frivolously rather than intentionally.
I desire the escape of the world rather than the refuge of the Word.
But I must “taste and see that the Lord is good”.
Even when I don’t desire it, I must know that nothing is truer and more righteous than the Word of God.
I must keep going back to it … more than anything else I may consider as a “sweet treat”.
And the more I do … the more I will see “laws, precepts, testimonies, commandments, and rules”, not as a bunch of “do’s and don’ts”, but as the voice of the One who loves me more than I can comprehend.
Prayer:
Thank You, Father, for your Word
Help me crave it more than anything
Help me see your truth more clearly
Help me rejoice in your goodness
In Jesus name
Amen