READING: Psalms 119:89-176, 1 Corinthians 8
“How I love Your instruction!”
Psalm 119:97
Whom do you love?
What do you love?
Read Psalm 119, and you’ll realize that the psalmist loved God and His Word. He loved the Word so much that I almost feel guilty about my lack of love for it in comparison. Listen to his words, and compare your own heart with his:
- “How I love Your instruction! It is my meditation all day long.” (Psalm 119:97)
- “How sweet Your word is to my taste—sweeter than honey in my mouth.” (Psalm 119:103)
- “I have Your decrees as a heritage forever; indeed, they are the joy of my heart.” (Psalm 119:111)
- “Since I love Your commands more than gold, even the purest gold, I carefully follow all Your precepts and hate every false way.” (Psalm 119:127-128)
- “I open my mouth and pant because I long for Your commands.” (Psalm 119:131)
- “Your word is completely pure, and Your servant loves it.” (Psalm 119:140)
- “Consider how I love Your precepts; Lord, give me life according to Your faithful love.” (Psalm 119:159)
- “I obey Your decrees and love them greatly.” (Psalm 119:167)
What can I add here that is not already clearly stated in the psalmist’s own writings? God’s Word was sweet to him, and he meditated on it, devoured it, loved it, and obeyed it. It was, in fact, the joy of his heart. He praised God so often for His Word that he could write, “I praise You seven times a day [a phrase to mean “many times”] for Your righteous judgments” (Psalm 119:164). That’s the way that I want to love the Word.
ACTION STEPS:
- Read the texts above again, and use each one to pray for more love for God and His Word.
- In prayer, re-affirm your continued commitment to read and follow the Word this year.
PRAYER: “God, I thank You for Your Word. I pray again that You will help me to love it more.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Psalms 120-122, 1 Corinthians 9