Psalm 119:160 The sum of your word is truth,
and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. English Standard Version (ESV)
and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. English Standard Version (ESV)
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, 176 verses in all and all but 3 or 4 of them mention God's Word in one form or another such as precepts, laws, rules or plainly as in today's verse His word.
Think about that first statement for a moment or for a day. The sum of your word is truth. If we were to ask that question of ourselves or others, what would an honest response be? The sum of our words might often be considered pride, boasting, getting what we want and generally mostly about ourselves.
Sadly, looking at the world around us what would the sum of their words be? Consider politicians, people who hold public office, what do they use their "platform" for when they use their words in speeches? I was appalled recently when a national politician was asked about a statement that he had made from the senate floor which basically slandered an opponent without a shred of evidence. He was questioned about the matter in an interview and his best response was "well we won didn't we?"
In a sermon from Psalm 119 John Piper stated, "God has ordained that the eye-opening work of his Spirit always be combined with the mind-informing work of his Word. His aim is that we see the glory of His Son (and be changed). So he opens our eyes when we are looking at the Son - not at soaps or sales. The work of the Spirit and the work of the Word always go together in God's way of true spiritual self- revelation. The Spirit's work is to show the glory and beauty and value of what the mind sees in the Word.
Receive, treasure, be attentive, incline your heart, cry out, lift your voice, seek as for silver, search as for hidden treasures. This is ransacking the Bible for all that it is worth. If there are hidden treasures, act like it. If there is silver, act like it. By all means pray (as verse 3 says) but don't substitute prayer for ransacking. God ordains to give to those who seek with all their heart (Jeremiah 29:13).
Receive, treasure, be attentive, incline your heart, cry out, lift your voice, seek as for silver, search as for hidden treasures. This is ransacking the Bible for all that it is worth. If there are hidden treasures, act like it. If there is silver, act like it. By all means pray (as verse 3 says) but don't substitute prayer for ransacking. God ordains to give to those who seek with all their heart (Jeremiah 29:13).
God's Word is true and it is all about truth. I like the way Piper puts it when stated "His aim is that we see the glory of His Son (the Way, the Truth, and the Life) and be changed. Have we ever attempted to "ransack" the Bible, leaving nothing unturned about the truth of a passage of a matter?
I'm reminded of the hymn from Colossians 3:16 "May the Mind of Christ":
May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.
May we have the mind and speak the truth of Christ.
Psalm 119:156-160The Message (MSG)
My antagonists are too many to count,
but I don't swerve from the directions you gave.
I took one look at the quitters and was filled with loathing;
they walked away from your promises so casually!
Take note of how I love what you tell me;
out of your life of love, prolong my life.
Your words all add up to the sum total: Truth.
Your righteous decisions are eternal.
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