The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 1 September 2024 — Delight In God’s Word
TOPIC: Delight In God’s Word
READ: Psalm 119:161-176(NKJV)
- Princes persecute me without a cause, But my heart stands in awe of Your word.
- I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure.
- I hate and abhor lying, [But] I love Your law.
- Seven times a day I praise You, Because of Your righteous judgments.
- Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.
- LORD, I hope for Your salvation, And I do Your commandments.
- My soul keeps Your testimonies, And I love them exceedingly.
- I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, For all my ways [are] before You.
- Let my cry come before You, O LORD; Give me understanding according to Your word.
- Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word.
- My lips shall utter praise, For You teach me Your statutes.
- My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments [are] righteousness.
- Let Your hand become my help, For I have chosen Your precepts.
- I long for Your salvation, O LORD, And Your law [is] my delight.
- Let my soul live, and it shall praise You; And let Your judgments help me.
- I have gone astray like a lost sheep; Seek Your servant, For I do not forget Your commandments.
THE MESSAGE:
The Psalmist here expresses great delight in the Word of the Lord. He likens it to the joy that a person has when he finds great treasure (v.162). He loves God’s word, instructions and commandments (vv. 163, 167), and makes deliberate efforts to obey God in all things (vv. 167-168). He is not deterred by the persecutions of influential people of his time (v.161), nor of his own mistakes and sins (v.176). He knows that all of God’s commandments are righteous (v.172), and that they bring peace and joy to the child of God(vv.165-166).
Let us learn from the Psalmist to also love the word of God above all things and like him, find time to praise God seven times daily (v.164). Even in today’s world that appears to be very busy, let us make time daily to read the Bible, meditate on it, and praise God for His goodness and mercy towards us (Josh. 1:8). Let us also share the word of God with other people (v.172). In this way, even when we pass through challenges or difficulties, we shall have confidence in the Lord and receive His deliverance (vv.170, 173-174).
PRAYER: I love your law O Lord; help me to walk with you daily.
