How do You handle the Truth?

The second chunk of Psalm 19 – verses 7 through 14 – is good stuff.

David, the writer, has six names for the scriptures: the Law of the Lord, the testimony of the Lord, the precepts of the Lord, the commandment of the Lord, the fear of the Lord and the judgments of the Lord. David says scripture is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean (Jeremiah 2:22) and true and he says the scriptures restore the soul (Psalm 23), make wise the simple (Proverbs 21:30), rejoice the heart, enlighten the eyes (Psalm 119:105), endure forever and are righteous altogether.

In verse 10 David says the Bible is more desirable than a pile of gold. Better than much gold? Millions of dollars aren't as good as having a solid understanding of and experiencing God through the Word of God? If that's true, I need to invest my time differently.

Verse 11 says the Bible warns God's servants. That's because God's servants read His word so they know how to serve Him, and as they learn wisdom, they learn more about how much they need God's grace. And they are warned that apart from accepting the sacrifice of Jesus, they earn death and eternal separation from God's love. This isn't important for just nonbelievers. Christians absolutely must remember that God brings about all good things. We are mere humans and don't have control over everything. Your house isn't yours because you got the job, work hard and earn the money to pay mortgage. God blessed you by letting you be born in America where you had a chance at a good education to get you that job. Remember how when Pharaoh refused to let God's people leave God turned the water to blood and killed all the cows? God is so powerful that the molecules of water obey Him and He has the power of life and death. All creation obeys.

The next clause says that in obeying the scriptures there is much reward. This does not mean that God wants to make us rich and healthy – remember that verse 10 says knowing scripture is worth more than much gold. Instead of riches and health, God promises intimacy with Him if we drawn close to Him by studying His word. It's hard to love someone if you don't know anything about him. It's hard to get to know someone if you never spend time with him.

In verse 12 David asks God to show him the sins he doesn't know about (Psalm 139:23, Jeremiah 17:9). He wants God to point out those faults and forgive them. Sometimes we have sin so ingrained in us that we can't even notice it. By having God point out those otherwise hidden faults, David can surrender the selfishness that causes them and ask God to fill that void with His Spirit to produce the Galatians 5:22-3 fruit. Essentially, in this verse and the next, David is asking God to remove whatever is hindering his relationship with God.

What do your actions say about how you think of God's Word? What is your opinion of scripture?
What is standing between you and God?

(more soon)