“Bur his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”
The Psalmist is clear. Blessings comes to the one who has learned to delight in the law of the Lord. He is speaking of God’s inspired Word. He is thinking about the ways of God and the revelation of the Word of God and he is filled with joy that is different than enjoyment in worldly things. Eternal things come alive and is far, far better than the temporary things.
He takes his DELIGHT in the Law of the Lord. It is a constant source of encouragement and peace, of wisdom and instruction. How can anyone take delight in the Law of the Lord? Aren’t laws about rules and regulations? Aren’t laws repressive and punitive? The "Law of the Lord" in David’s day referred to the whole counsel of Scripture which had been delivered by God at that time, primarily the Pentateuch, and the law of Moses.
The Psalmist tells us that in the Scriptures, he receives a completely different view of life than in the world. He receives the very mind of God - the counsel of the holy. This view of life is diametrically opposed to the counsel of the ungodly, the way of sinners and the seat of the scornful!
Not only does God’s Word give man the truth about his life, it gives him the power to live in the counsel of God. It shows him that he is powerless and that the power to live is available to him in the Holy Spirit, as now taught by our Lord. The "law of the Lord" is freedom. The Law of the Lord, the Counsel of the Holy is the path to life. "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Heb 4:12)
David meditates on it day and night. I’ve never met anyone who reads the Bible constantly, twenty-four by seven!. When the Word of God dwells in you, it means that you guide your life, your parenting, your work, and your recreation by the principles of God’s truth. You live what you say you believe. You find out more how to turn all areas of your life over to God.
Jesus is referred to in John’s gospel as the Word. He is the Word incarnate. We have the blessing of not only the Scriptures but the life and example of Jesus. Add to that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit since Pentecost. He guides, leads, and illuminates the Bible for the believer.
Realize, the more we study the Bible we learn about how we might apply God’s truths to our particular situations in life. It talks about finances, communication, relationships. It speaks of a proper understanding of government, of science, sociology, and psychology. The Bible allows us to understand truth from lies, and by His Spirit, protection from the evil one.
Application: Walk intimately with God so you can live the truth in an unholy world.
Prayer: Lord, I want to live in You where eternal things come alive!
