The Glory of the Word: Random Thoughts from Psalm 119 (Part 3)
Eddie Parrish
The 119th Psalm offers some wonderful, timely, and practical lessons for daily Christian living, nearly all of which are rooted in the power and glory of God’s word. Let us consider a few more.
Psalm 119:89-91
“Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants” (ESV).
With so much in constant flux around us (e.g., popular fads, political platforms, philosophies), the immutability of God’s word is a source of great comfort. I’m so thankful that I don’t have to worry about waking up tomorrow and finding that God has become fickle and capricious. I love the words to the old Henry F. Lyte hymn, “Change and decay in all around I see; O Thou who changest not, abide with me!”
Psalm 119:92-93
“If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.”
As I look back on my struggles, stresses, and afflictions, they are certainly light when compared to others. But at the same time, they were very real and difficult for me. My father’s death. My battles with burnout and depression. The apostasy of family and friends.
In all these things, the immovable Rock has been my God. The more familiar I became with His word during those times, the calmer became my spirit. Yes, our afflictions will overwhelm us if we do not anchor ourselves to God’s word. Will you make time to study it today?
Psalm 119:97
There’s an adage that says, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” That may hold true in some situations, but not when you’re discussing the law of God. Familiarity breeds love. It was because of the psalmist’s daily and day-long contemplation of God’s word that he could exclaim, “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.”
I don’t know about you, but that’s a repeating cycle I’d like to be in!
Psalm 119:97-99
“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.”
Here are two thoughts from this text to consider:
When the law of God is loved, it will occupy one’s thoughts throughout the day. This is a big reason why memorizing Scripture is beneficial. With passages stored in your memory, you have something to think about when you can’t actually read the Bible.
The psalmist claims to have out-distanced his own teachers in understanding because he meditates on God’s word. Reading the Bible is important, but the real growth comes when you think about what you read. If you must read less each day that you might meditate more, then do it!
Psalm 119:104
Regular time spent in study of the Bible does at least two things: (1) it increases one’s love for God’s word (Psa. 119:97); (2) it increases one’s hatred of evil. “Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way” (119:104).
If your response to sin in yourself or in others is not hatred of that sin, then perhaps you need to spend more time reflecting on the word of God.