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ON LEARNING GOD’S WORD
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5
Psalm 119:7-8

1 Chronicles 29:13-17

 

“Now therefore,
our God, we thank thee,

and praise thy glorious name.”

 

ON LEARNING GOD’S WORD
 
There are voluntary and involuntary responses in our bodies. When our hand touches the burning flame, it will immediately withdraw itself. A grain of sand about to reach our eyes cannot get in because of the involuntary response of the eyelids to close and protect the eyeballs. Giving thanks, however, is a voluntary response. Effort is required to give thanks and to praise God for the wonderful things that happen in one’s life. How about us who learn of God’s righteous judgments? How do we react when we know of the good favour that He has granted us?
 
I will praise the Lord: The word “praise” (Ps 119:7) describes an act of reverence and worship. This is to acknowledge the psalmist’s thanksgiving for the lessons learned from the Lord’s righteous judgments. His act, however, is not the physical raising of hands or a shout of praise, but simply an upright heart – a heart right with God’s Word as he learns what is just and morally right in the eyes of the holy Judge. No better instrument plays acceptable music before the presence of God than a heart that meets the standard of the greatest choirmaster.
 
I will keep His statutes: The praise is not just foundational, but functional. The upright heart that satisfies the ears of the Almighty God equally witnesses the upright life of the believer. He sings the right lyrics and applies the lyrics to his life. It is not an empty song of praise. He walks the talk and keeps the Lord’s statutes. God’s decrees and commandments are statutes worth guarding. To protect them is to shield the body and soul from the spiritual infectious agents around. He puts hedges around God’s statutes, for a believer cannot afford to wander away from His presence. The Lord will not forsake any of His children, but he who departs from Him will find desolation and dejection.
 
O how believers should learn from God’s Word! Dear reader, give back to God the glory when you have learned much from His righteous judgments!
 
THOUGHT: How am I responding to God’s lessons from His Word?
PRAYER: Father, let me offer the sacrifices of righteousness as I am taught by Thee all the great lessons of life from Thy Word.

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