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Oh, How I Love Your
Law! The
119th Psalm is known for its length and description of God’s Law.
Almost every verse in this Psalm describes or mentions the word of God. In this
article I want to concentrate specifically on verses 97- 105. As
one looks at these verses, key words stand out in each verse. “Oh,
how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day long” (verse 97,
emphasis mine, D.T.). That which we
love we think about for hours on end; a young man that is in love with a young
woman will think about her. Letters written between the two will be read,
re-read, and cherished. Those that love God’s law will want to know more and
more about it. They will meditate or think about its meaning and application in
their lives. A person that does not want to study their Bible and learn more
about God’s word does not really love Him. “You,
through Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies” (verse 98).
The Bible reveals to us the mind and will of God. His law guides us on the
pathway of righteousness and true wisdom. There are two ways of looking at life;
one is doing what we think best and the second is doing what God says is best.
We see people hurting themselves, homes being devastated by unfaithfulness and a
lack of love. God plainly warns us of the consequences of sin. “27 Can a man
take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned? 28 Can one walk on hot
coals, And his feet not be seared? 29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor's
wife; Whoever touches her shall not be innocent” (Proverbs “I
have more understanding that all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my
meditation” (verse 99). It is one thing to know something; it is better to
understand what you know. Philip asked the Ethiopian Eunuch if he understood
what he was reading, Acts 8.30. In response the Eunuch said, “How can I,
unless someone guides me?” (Verse 31). There are a lot of college professors
out there that know what the Bible says, but they do not understand it. They
mock it, criticize it, and undermine its teachings. The student that understands
it is better than the person that has it memorized. “I
understand more than the ancients,
Because I
keep Your precepts” (Verse 100). A person is not made wise by age, but
obedience. There are a lot of older people that have not learned very much in
their lives. They are still making the same mistakes they made when they were
children. On the other hand there are young people that show great
understanding. Their understanding is not due to their own intellect, but their
acceptance of and reliance on God’s word to answer their questions. They know
it is better not to wear immodest clothing, drink alcohol, engage in sex outside
of marriage, and to abstain from other worldly things. Through obedience one
learns why those things just mentioned are bad. They are bad because they are
sinful and will cause our soul to be lost and they are bad because they hurt us
and those around us. “I
have
restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word”
(Verse 101). One can look at God’s word as being both restrictive and
enabling. It tells us what not to do. The Law of Moses contained a lot of
“Thou shall not’s” in which they were told what not to do. A person
seeking to please God must learn that they are not allowed to do whatever they
want. God does not fellowship those in sin. At the same time, not sinning is not
the same thing as serving God. I am afraid many have defined Christianity as a
religion of “Thou shall nots” while forgetting to do what has been
commanded. We are commanded to worship, remember the Lord’s death on the first
day of the week, stimulate one another to good works, and so on. “I
have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me” (Verse
102). It is good to see people committed to doing God’s will. They do not let
things discourage them, but take consolation in God’s power, they do not blame
God for their problems, but see Him as the solution.
They do not quit, but endure to the end. “How
sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Verse 103).
I have a sweet tooth. I like and eat almost anything that has sugar in it. Do
you think God’s word is sweet or bitter? Are you indifferent to it or
motivated by it. This goes back to the idea expressed in verse 99. “Through
Your precepts, I get understanding, Therefore I hate every false way” (Verse
104). Once again we see understanding connected to God’s commands. When we
truly understand the consequences of sin we will hate it. Unfortunately many
make fun of sin or minimize its consequences. Efforts have been made to rename
fornication and adultery to “living together” or “hooking up.”
Homosexuality is now “gay” or “alternative lifestyle.” Using such
politically correct terms will not change its repulsiveness to God. Those living
such a lifestyle will be lost for eternity. Therefore, we should hate the sin
and those advocating such. “”Your
word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path” (Verse 105). I remember
being out at the farm at night time when it was pitch black. One has to walk
very carefully or trip over a rock, or stumble over a tree root, or fall because
of a sudden dip in the path. A little light can reveal the rock, tree stump, or
dip in the path. Too many Bibles are gathering dust and being neglected. As we
walk down the pathway of life we need to use the Bible to protect and help us. Of
all the books this world has ever know, none has been more widely circulated and
ridiculed. In some parts of this world having a Bible can cause one to be cast
into prison. In some Arab countries converting to Christianity can be grounds
for death. In other parts of the world the Bible is accepted and neglected. It
is used as a symbol, but not as a standard of living. To those that meditate,
understand, and allow it to light their path; it is their road map to heaven.
– Dennis Tucker |