Treasuring the Word
1 Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are the undefiled (the upright, truly sincere, and blameless) in the way [of the revealed will of God], who walk (order their conduct and conversation) in the law of the Lord (the whole of God’s revealed will).
2 Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are they who keep His testimonies, and who seek, inquire for and of Him and crave Him with the whole heart.
3 Yes, they do no unrighteousness [no willful wandering from His precepts]; they walk in His ways.
4 You have commanded us to keep Your precepts, that we should observe them diligently.
5 Oh, that my ways were directed and established to observe Your statutes [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]!
6 Then shall I not be put to shame [by failing to inherit Your promises] when I have respect to all Your commandments.
This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.
Isn’t it amazing how much King David was diligent about keeping God’s Word treasured in his heart? Psalm 119, which sometimes sounds like the same thing stated over again so many times, reminds us how much David really wanted to please God and follow all of His commands. On a very similar plane, the Lord told Joshua to meditate on His word, that it would then be observed. Then all the great blessings would follow.
Looking also to the dawn of the church, it is astounding to see how much authority they walked in! On the day of Pentecost about 3,000 people were added to the numbers of those who believe. The power of God was mightily present with them! I believe we can walk in this type of authority, too. There is so much to be gained from pondering marriage of the old and the new, the promised Word with the living Spirit.
I don’t profess to be a scholar on the Jewish faith. One thing I do know, however, is that one of their main concerns is to keep the law of the Lord—a mission of obedience. Looking at so many examples in the Old Testament, disobedience to the Law resulted in death, famine, judgment, or any number negative consequences. I wonder if we often fail to recognize that today in our Christian culture. God has told us we will be giving an account of our time here on earth. Do we fail to take this into serious consideration?
Do we fall too easily into the trap of complacency? Is being “nice” people all that God desires for us, or is there something more? What does His word say about giving, about reaching out, about doing something to help those in need? How will the world know us, as children of the one, true, and living God?
Are we really known for who we are (as Christians) and displaying our love in our actions? As a direct result of a healthy, strong, and intimate personal relationship with the Lord, our lives will begin to flow outward to others with the light and love of God, just as Christ walked on this earth. However, we must take our stand of responsibility, and just as King David was keen on setting God’s commands always before him, we must seek to fervently obey the Lord. This comes from a working knowledge of God’s Word.
In addition to taking our stand of responsibility, we must come to realize that God’s grace and His Holy Spirit are sent to us to enable us to continually walk in greater victory and holiness. By no reliance on ourselves can this be accomplished, but with God all things are possible. Apart from the Holy Spirit there is little hope, but with Him we are empowered!
The disciples walked closely with Jesus and learned His ways. Then they were sent out. Then the Holy Spirit was sent to them, and they walked with incredible authority and power! The wonders God works when we spend time getting close to Him, obeying His commands, and waiting on Him, in order that His promises would be fulfilled!
Just as David so looked forward to in Psalm 119:6 Then shall I not be put to shame [by failing to inherit Your promises] when I have respect to all Your commandments, so by obeying God’s will shall we inherit blessings! Looking again at the Old Testament, it is when the people obeyed His commands that they entered into the fullness of God’s blessings for them. The wanderers in the desert were turned away from God. When they finally turned to the Lord, then they entered into the Promised Land!
So it is with us. May we always seek and desire to get close to the Lord, to obey His commands, to wait on His promises for us, and expect the Spirit to flow from us! Then we will enter into the Promised Land! May the two great commandments, to love the Lord our God with everything in us and to love our neighbor as ourselves, consume our lives!
In all things together with God, Who has promised to NEVER leave us!
