I really do love the Bible. I have centered my education, practiced my occupation, and lived my life, as closely as I could by the timeless and immutable truths found there. I have not always been right, but the Bible has. I have not always been trustworthy, but the Bible has.
Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.
You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
I have sworn and confirmed That I will keep Your righteous judgments.
Psalm 119:97-106 NKJV
These verses express my heart. I would love to say they express my entire being, but there I have failed – often. My actions and thoughts and habits have not always been perfectly in line with the heart of the psalmist as he penned this psalm.
It is interesting that this singer is not identified. There are several good possibilities for his identity which range from Moses to David, or Daniel or Hezekiah or Ezra or Malachi. Whoever it was, it is clear he had a deep love for God and His Word. He wanted to live for God. He knew God’s word was key to his goal. I like to think he had a heart no too unlike my own.
Perhaps his heart along with the prescription to overcome the failure is in the beginning of his second stanza. He writes…
How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word.
With my whole heart I have sought You;
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.
Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes.
Psalm 119:9-12 NKJV
One might think that the Apostle to the Gentiles, having read or sung this psalm may have had these thoughts in mind as he reminded Timothy to “Be diligent [study] to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV).
So I spend much time and energy in God’s Word, the Bible. I will never feel as if this is somehow wrong or divisive or futile, even though the more I learn, the less I feel I know. There is depth and breadth which cannot be determined this side of eternity, but I intend to keep digging until I get there. I hope you will as well.
See You SONday,
Pastor Steve
© 2017 Dr. SF Gallagher