Determine Your...

Many see the Word of God. . .few observe!

​What is more beneficial than fine gold? What tastes sweeter than honey? Consider the rules of personal conduct given to us by the Lord.  His precepts have greater value than the most precious commodity in the world. Review of his law can renew your soul and bring it back to its original function.

Psalm 19:9 (ESV)
9  the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

Yes, God's rules have great value in every day life. But it has a deeper affect on the position of your heart, mind and soul. It can revive and refresh your soul when all seems lost. Respect for God's law has come under attack in this century. His word has been seen as useless, flawed and a collection of fairy tales.

The Expositor’s Bible Commentary
7–11 The revelation of God’s law is clearer than the revelation in nature. Nature “declares,” “proclaims,” “pours forth,” and “displays” the revelation of God’s majesty, wisdom, and power. However, the revelation of the law is greater. It is greater because it is given by the covenant God, whose name is Yahweh (“LORD,” vv. 7, 8, 9), whereas nature reveals the glory of the Creator-God (El, v. 1; see the appendix to Ps 22: Yahweh Is El). It is also greater because of the comprehensive nature of the revelation. This is brought out by the choice of the synonyms for God’s revelation: “law,” “statutes” (v. 7); “precepts,” “commands” (v. 8); and “fear,” “ordinances” (v. 9; see appendix below). The synonyms are not to be studied in abstraction but give a comprehensive emphasis that all of the words of the Lord are beneficial. Although the benefits of natural revelation are with us on a daily basis (day, night, heat [vv. 2, 6]), how much greater are the comprehensive benefits of God’s revelation in the law! The list of four benefits (vv. 7–8) is given to encourage the godly to embrace the law of God as an expression of his wisdom. The rewards (v. 11) of responsiveness to the revelation of God are compared to gold (v. 10; cf. Prov 3:13–18; 8:19) and to honey (cf. Prov 16:24).
The benefits are set forth propositionally (vv. 7–9). First, God’s word “revives”(cf. v. 7). Its restorative quality gives healing to the whole person by assuring forgiveness and cleansing and by giving life to the godly. It unleashes the promises of God by his gracious redemptive acts (80:3, 7, 19). Second, God’s word is the source of “wisdom” to all who are ready to receive it (v. 7; cf. 119:130; Prov 21:11). Both the inexperienced (“the simple,” v. 7; cf. Prov 1:4) and the wise develop as they begin with “the fear of the LORD” (v. 9; cf. Deut 4:10; Prov 1:7) and embrace the will of God in all aspects of life (cf. Prov 1:2–6). Third, God’s word gives “joy” (v. 8a). The heartfelt joy is equivalent to inner peace and tranquility, as one loves God with all his heart, i.e., with his innermost being. Fourth, God’s word gives “light to the eyes” (v. 8b). The internal joy radiates through the eyes. It expresses the joy of being alive and of receiving God’s blessings (cf. 13:3). Thus Yahweh has made the sun for light in creation and has given his word for light in redemption.

Do you feel his joy today? If not, consider His law to help restore your soul.

Cathy and Danny Sartin
www.deeperstillmissions.com
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VanGemeren, W. A. (1991). Psalms. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs (Vol. 5, pp. 181–182). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
4  Or just decrees
x  Ps. 119:142, 151, 160
  The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ps 19:9). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.Copyright © Danny Sartin. All Rights Reserved.

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