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.
Psalm 119:33-40
“Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.”
Notice the Psalmist’s request. He requested to be taught the statutes, given understanding, follow God’s commandments, turn him to the Scriptures, and away from wickedness, to establish the word of God, and for righteousness.
The Psalmist wants these so that he can use them. He will keep the God’s word with his whole heart. He delights in God’s word. He is devoted to God. He acknowledges that God’s judgments are good. He longs for God’s word.
What a challenge for us! Do we pray like the Psalmist did? Do we want what the Psalmist wanted? Do we long to know, understand, and delight in God’s word?
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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