How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord ; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.
Psalms 119:9-16 ESV
Teach me, O Lord , the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared. Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!
Psalms 119:33-40 ESV
You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord , according to your word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law. It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Psalms 119:65-72 ESV
Rev. Charles Han
What do we need to do to get the most out of God's word?
Prayer
Prayer and scripture go together. Prayer needs to be empowered by scripture. Bible reading needs to be approached prayerfully. We are not naturally inclined to notice the goodness nor order our lives by the word of God. Our hearts are more inclined towards worldly pleasures and gain. Prayerlessness can often make scripture reading fruitless. It can change rout reading into an life changing encounter with God.
Meditation
Do you wish to sin less? Or walk more in the way of God? Hide his word in your heart. Store it up by meditating on it. This is Christian mediation, not eastern meditation. It is not about emptying your mind, but rather about filling our minds with God who brings true peace. We need to fix ourselves on the concrete character of God in scripture. It is not just hearing or reading, but you need to chew and digest the word.
Memorize some scripture for a day or a week. Use it to shape your desires, thoughts, and actions. Even if you keep forgetting, keep going. Get back up and get back into it.
Trial
Why is this one of the main disciplines? Only in the midst of our real needs, struggles, and sins does scripture become real. Only through the bitter cold of winter do you know the glorious joy of spring.
God's word only comes with grace and truth when we are in the struggle of life and pain. Suffering brings scripture to life. We can be theological giants but with small hearts and insufficient experiential understanding. God's desire is for us to speak god's word with genuine grace and understanding... And this comes thorough suffering. God exalts scripture through our suffering. God will bring trials for our good.
How does the psalm end? He ends on a note of straying like a lost sheep, one who is backsliding. He needs a savior. There is only one blameless one with a perfect devotional life. He was the afflicted one. This is Jesus. It is not about your commitment to His word, but rather His devotion to you.
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