Day 150 – Psalm 119

Talking Points

• Wow! The longest chapter in all the Bible — 176 verses all about the Word of God. There are 22 stanzas, one for each of the 22 characters in the Hebrew alphabet.
• It is amazing to see the psalmist’s deep love for the Word of God. He seeks it, turns to it, even “treasures” it in his heart (119:11). It is what he meditates on, considers, and studies devotedly. To his life it brings structure, order, and happiness. And his response to it does something to my heart as well. Wouldn’t it be something if your love for God’s Word were contagious to others? Shouldn’t it be?
• Read it carefully. Go slow. Take it in. The amazing thing is that this song about the Word of God is the Word of God as well!
• God’s Word reveals Him, guides us, commands, rebukes, revives, teaches, makes us wise, and gives insight. It is trustworthy, eternal, wonderful, lovely, righteous, settled, sure, good, and sweet. His Word is worth infinitely more than silver or gold. It brings joy, peace, comfort, and leads us to salvation. It leads us away from sin, lights our paths, and establishes our footsteps. How awesome is His Word!

Thoughts

Have you ever seen or been a part of something so amazing, so incredible, that your heart literally burned for others to experience it as well? Like you just couldn’t let it go? When you tried to explain it, did you find your best efforts and all the words you could muster just fell short? Did you ever just want to shout, “If you could only see what I have seen!”? That is how we have come to see the Word of God. It is our favorite subject. It is new, no matter how long we look at it. It is exciting, no matter the hours we spend in it. It is timeless, relevant, and perfect. Oh, is it perfect! In a small way, we feel like the psalmist as he writes this precious discourse on the Words he has come to treasure. We love it! It is dear to us.

Why?

Like the psalmist, we could probably fill up pages with reasons. Here are two:

It has changed our lives. Not metaphorically or symbolically or in some other grandiose or ambiguous way. It actually changed our lives. When we questioned, it gave answers. When we needed direction, it made them clear. When we were dumb, it freely gave wisdom. When we hurt, it lifted our heads. And, when we stumbled, it gently led us back to the path, restored instead of ruined. It has changed our lives.

It shows us Jesus. Maybe the biggest surprise and the greatest blessing is that from Genesis on, we are saturated in the Truth of Jesus. We see Him in the Garden and the Ark. We see Him in the covenant with Abraham and His faithfulness to bring it forth. We see Him in the deliverance of His enslaved people and in the Law of Moses. We see it in Joshua and the Captain of the Lord’s host. And, in Rahab and Ruth and David. We see Him as the Messiah announced to shepherds and the Boy presented at the temple. We see Him as the Lamb baptized in the Jordan and the Lamb nailed to the cross. We see Him as the Mediator tearing the temple veil and the Victor risen from the grave. We see Him reigning as King now, and as the soon-coming King. Yes, we see Jesus.

Friends, our hearts burn for what has become so dear to us to be likewise treasured by you.