Delighting in God’s Word (Part 13): Loving God and Loving His Word

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Psalm 119:97

How I love your instruction!
It is my meditation all day long.

(CSB)

What we treasure most in our lives is where our heart is (Matthew 6:21).  While we often think of Matthew 6:21 in the context of giving money, it can also have a spiritual application.  While where we spend our money does speak volumes about what we treasure in our lives, our reading and study habits also speak volumes.  This is the focus of Psalm 119:97-104 for in these verses we see the psalmist express his hearts desire for,

1)      Daily Connection with God Through Scripture (Psalm 119:97) – Daily connection with those we love is important in forging strong relationships.  This is especially true for our spouses.  While business or other obligations may prevent physical face-to-face connection at times, connection is just a phone call away.  The most important part of any relationship, especially a relationship with our spouse is communication for we must regularly hear each other’s voice.  While our face-to-face connection with God will not occur for us till we die and meet him face to face (2 Corinthians 5:6-8) or meet Him when he returns (1 Corinthians 15:50-54), we can pick up the phone of God’s Word and make a daily connection.

2)      Greater Wisdom (Psalm 119:98) – While volumes of books exist positing words of wisdom, they are all written by men and hold some truth, but also some error.  Letters on a page give knowledge but it is not until the Spirit of God inspires us that those words take on life and make one wise.  Enemies of God’s people may know the letter of scripture but without the inspiration of the indwelling Spirit of God they cannot wisely apply its truth to their lives

3)      Greater Insight Through Meditation (Psalm 119:99) – When people think of meditation they picture some Buddhist Monk sitting on the floor.  However, biblical meditation involves deeper contemplation on the deeper meaning of the words read.  The psalmist speaks of having wisdom greater than his teachers due to his deep meditation.  We can view this meditation as one listening to the one they love and hanging on every word.  Our love for God must grow to the level of intimacy where we hang on every word of Scripture.

4)      Obedience and Avoidance of Evil (Psalm 119:100-101) – Greater understanding of what one says comes through obedience.  Obedience to God’s Word keeps us from evil. 

5)      Remembering the Source of Scripture (Psalm 119:102) – The source of the words written in the Bible are our creator.  Our creator who even though his creation turned their back on Him chose not to destroy them but instead gave his only Son to provide reconnection with His creation (John 3:16).  Since Jesus is God, God in essence destroyed Himself to reconnect with His creation.  The only proper response to words from one loving us to this degree is total obedience.

6)      Delighting in the Sweetness of God’s Word (Psalm 119:103) – The Word of God comes to us out of a heart of divine love from our loving creator.  When we take time to meditate on God’s Word we begin to face our own personal unworthiness and experience the deepness of God’s love for us.  The deepness of God’s Word expressed in His Word is sweeter than the sweetest thing we have or will ever eat. 

7)      To Hate Falsehood (Psalm 119:104) – The enlightenment we receive from the Word of God reveals falsehood, enabling us to avoid it. 

Like the psalmist, we must develop and treasure an intimate relationship with our creator God.  While the sin of Adam and Eve severed that connection, instead of destroying humanity for their disobedience, God chose to send His Son to die for us.  Essentially God destroyed himself to reestablish His connection with us through Jesus resurrection.  However, this reconnection is not automatic and requires action on our part. 

Romans 10:9 says we must confess with our mouth that “Jesus is Lord and believe God raised Jesus from the dead for salvation and reestablishment of our connection with our creator.  To complete the connection, I ask you to pray with me now

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

Your connection with God your creator is now complete but like any relationship, needs regular communication and connection to grow more intimate.  While we cannot have face-to-face connection with God till we see Him in heaven, we can connect through His Word, the Bible.  I urge everyone reading this to develop a hunger and thirst to connect with the creator God that paid a great price to reestablish His connection with us. 

May God bless everyone reading this.