Good morning,
The Bible is the greatest book ever written. It tells us how the world began, how it will end, and its complete history. It tells us about life and death. It tells us why there is so much wickedness in the world. It tells us of the love of God. It explains what sin is and why we need a Savior.
The greatest chapter of the Bible dealing with God’s word is Psalm 119. The 176 verses are divided into twenty-two groups of eight verses each. The first group of eight begin with the Hebrew letter aleph. The next eight verses begin with the Hebrew letter beth. This pattern continues throughout the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
The focal point for the 176 verses is the Word of God. This Psalm includes seven names for the Word of God. These seven names are: “thy law,” ”thy testimonies,” “thy word,” “thy statutes,” “thy judgments,” “thy precepts,” and “thy commandments.”
Psalm 119:17-24
“Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. 18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.”
The Psalmist is humble before God. He requests life and power to keep God’s word.
He asks God to open his eyes to the wonders of God’s word and not to hide God’s word from him. The Psalmist has a longing to be obedient to God’s commands at all times.
God’s word is his delight and counselor.
Are we humble to God and His word? Do we long to be obedient to the word of God? Do we delight in God’s word? Is God’s word our counselor?
These verses challenge us to humble ourselves before God, long to be obedient to His word, and to accept counsel from the word of God.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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