The blessing of the Bible
Psalm 119:1–88, 1 Corinthians 7:20–40
What is your view of the Bible? One answer that may come to mind is, “It’s the Word of God.” That’s a good beginning of an answer. “Only a good beginning?” you might ask. Yes, because there is so much more that should come to mind. Psalm 119 helps us see the Bible as the Word of God in a fuller way.
If you have not done it before, notice how many of the verses in this passage mention the Word of God. In almost every verse our attention is drawn specifically to some aspect of the Word. Go through the psalm and underline the words that refer to the Bible. Eight different Hebrew words are used. They are translated as “law,” “statutes,” “precepts,” “commands,” “commandments,” “decrees,” “word” and “promise.”
Notice, though, how the psalm begins. It speaks of the blessing of the blameless, those “who walk according to the law of the LORD.”
There is a blessing in knowing and doing what the Bible teaches. To have that blessing we must read the Word, learn the Word and live the Word. Only one out of eight people who read the Bible say it affects how they live. God didn’t give us His Word just to increase our knowledge but to affect our lives. The writer of this psalm understood that. He found the blessing that comes from reading and obeying.
This psalm calls us to obedience and faith. Ask God to help you have the same attitude about His Word that the psalmist did.
Psalm 119:1–88, 1 Corinthians 7:20–40
What is your view of the Bible? One answer that may come to mind is, “It’s the Word of God.” That’s a good beginning of an answer. “Only a good beginning?” you might ask. Yes, because there is so much more that should come to mind. Psalm 119 helps us see the Bible as the Word of God in a fuller way.
If you have not done it before, notice how many of the verses in this passage mention the Word of God. In almost every verse our attention is drawn specifically to some aspect of the Word. Go through the psalm and underline the words that refer to the Bible. Eight different Hebrew words are used. They are translated as “law,” “statutes,” “precepts,” “commands,” “commandments,” “decrees,” “word” and “promise.”
Notice, though, how the psalm begins. It speaks of the blessing of the blameless, those “who walk according to the law of the LORD.”
There is a blessing in knowing and doing what the Bible teaches. To have that blessing we must read the Word, learn the Word and live the Word. Only one out of eight people who read the Bible say it affects how they live. God didn’t give us His Word just to increase our knowledge but to affect our lives. The writer of this psalm understood that. He found the blessing that comes from reading and obeying.
This psalm calls us to obedience and faith. Ask God to help you have the same attitude about His Word that the psalmist did.
