Walk with me through these verses and let God's Holy Spirit speak truth to you:
"The instruction of the Lord is PERFECT, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is TRUSTWORTHY, making the inexperienced wise." vs 7Holman Christian Standard
Instruction may be translated 'law', meaning the Word of God, God's commands. Whichever word you choose, the unmistakeable truth is that it is PERFECT...flawless, without error! How can you go wrong if you obey and follow that which is PERFECT?!
The Lord's testimony, i.e. witness, is TRUSTWORTHY. Aren't we all looking for someone today who is trustworthy? Someone who will tell us the truth. Someone we can REALLY believe? In the midst of this political season, wouldn't that be refreshing?! This verse tells us that God's witness is true, it can be trusted and when we listen to it, it will make us wise! You can't go wrong with that!
"The precepts of the Lord are RIGHT, making the heart GLAD; the commandment of the Lord is RADIANT, making the eyes light up." vs 8
Precepts may be also translated statutes. Again, God's laws, rules or commands. They are RIGHT! No questions asked. Do you ever struggle with what the right thing is? These days there are so many voices telling us what "right" is, from politicians, to Hollywood, to New Age gurus, to Oprah Winfrey! But, if you really want to know what is 100% RIGHT without a hint of error...turn to God's word. What will be your reward? If you DO them (reading them is not enough), the result will be gladness of heart. Now that is something everyone could use a good dose of.
And what a novel thought to consider that the commandments are 'radiant'. I take that to mean that they light the way. We live in a dark world and if we are going to walk in the right path, we need something to light the way. God's Word will light your way and when you see where you are going, your eyes will just light up with gladness.
"The fear of the Lord is PURE, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are RELIABLE and altogether RIGHTEOUS. They are more desirable than gold--more than an ABUNDANCE of pure gold; and sweeter than honey---honey dripping from the comb." vs 9,10
"Fear of the Lord" is not a negative thing, rather it is a healthy reverance recognizing who God is and why He deserves our adoration. Pure reverance for God will last forever for once you get a glimpse of BIG your God really is, you will never be the same. It is truly something that is more valuable than the purest gold or the sweetest honey. Just to realize that THE God of the universe, the CREATOR God who spoke this world into existence desires a relationship with ME just takes my breath away!!!
"In addition, your servant is WARNED by them ; there is great REWARD in keeping them!" vs 11
God doesn't expect us to just blindly wander through this life. He clearly tells us in His word what we need to know to stay on the right path. He puts out warnings to us to show us what NOT to do and He rewards us when we obey. Everyone is looking to win something today. Look at all the TV shows where people are trying to win BIG....Deal or No Deal, Smarter than a 5th Grader, not to mention the various lotteries that beckon to you from every gas station in town. Yet God tells us that if you really want a genuine reward, to open up His word and OBEY!
Why do we have such a hard time with that? It is such a clear-cut formula for blessing! I think the reason is that it means we have to give up OUR agenda and doing things OUR way. We don't like that. We don't like to relinquish control. We don't like to admit that someone could have a better idea than we do about how to live our life! But the truth is, He does!
It really is as simple as the song we sung when I was a child:
When we walk with the Lord
In the light of His word
What a glory He sheds on our way
What He says we will do
Where He sends we will go
Never fear only trust and obey.
Trust and obey
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus
But to trust and obey.
---D.B.Towner, 1921
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