Treasures in the Word

A few days ago one of my children finished reading the book of Acts and wanted to know which book to read next. When we indicated that he should repeat one of the books he had already read, the response was, “why do I have to read it again?” This got me thinking. Why should or do we re-read the books of the Bible? Isn’t once enough for a lifetime? Is there anything new to be learnt from the verses I have read several times?

This question came to mind as I went through Psalm 119 once again (I have lost count as to how many times I have read it.) As I read through this psalm, I noted that there were verses that I knew quite well, and there were others I had barely noticed in my previous reading. All these verses point the reader to the Word of God, and the benefits of knowing and understanding this Word. I have listed a few of them below.

He preserves my life

Psalm 119:159 “See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love.” (NIV)

Picture this for a moment. Two children are summoned to the headteacher’s office because of indiscipline. One is a habitual offender, and the other is a first-time offender. Who is more likely to be pardoned? The one who usually obeys the rules, most likely.

In the same way, when we obey the laws of the Lord, He is more likely to preserve our lives when we find ourselves in troubled times. Also, the more we read and obey these laws, the more we begin to love them, and, in turn, the God who had them written down for us to read. Does the Lord preserve those he loves? Yes! Build a relationship with Him by reading His word and getting to know Him better, and you can be sure that when things are thick, He will surely preserve you.

His Word directs me

Psalm 119:133 “Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.” (NIV)

Have you ever gone to a new place and gotten lost because you did not follow the instructions? That has happened to me lots of times, even in this age of Google Maps!

God graciously left us with a blueprint for life, an awesome book that tells us how to live the life of faith. Though the instructions may not be as clear as we would like them to be, the underlying thread of God’s word will always show us which way to go. These instructions will also keep us from sin.

Let’s talk a bit about bribes. You need a document urgently. Someone offers his help for a small fee, a fee that you can comfortably afford. In your heart, a conflict arises. You are torn between getting the document urgently and paying up or going through the long, tedious process. What do you do? You turn to the word of God.

Ecclesiastes 7:7 “Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.” (NIV)

God’s word is clear – a bribe corrupts the heart. You will not be able to forget it! Isn’t it easier to follow God’s direction? Who knows, you may receive favor and get that document even faster than expected!

The instructions in God’s word are there for our good and our protection. He knows we are in a fallen world, and as such, has given us a guide that we can use to overcome whatever challenges come our way. Let’s make use of this guide.

His Word gives me peace

Psalm 119:165 “Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” (NIV)

There is nothing more comforting than opening the Bible and finding scripture that speaks directly to one’s heart. God’s word is amazing in this sense – there is a word for every single situation that you and I go through. If we keep on reading this Word and meditating on it, He will give us peace.

How, then, does this Word keep us from stumbling? Well, when I focus on His word and use it as the guiding light for my life’s path, I can see the road more clearly than I would have without it. As a result, the chances of stumbling and falling are slim!

I have taught the piano for many years, and what I have noted is that when a student pays attention to music theory, he or she becomes a better musician. What do I mean here? Well, every note, symbol, and mark on a piece of music has a purpose. Once the student understands the function of each one, he or she understands the music better and interprets it correctly. With time, as the student practises the same piece, the chances of making mistakes reduce. The same applies to reading. Students who have a good foundation in reading are less likely to make mistakes when reading aloud or doing comprehension exercises.

So what would you rather have – a life of stumbles or a life of peace? Immerse yourself in God’s word, love it, understand it, and obey it, and you will have peace.

His Word gives us hope

Psalm 119:114 “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.” (NIV) 

I cannot count the many times I have looked into God’s word looking for hope. The good news is that every time I do so, I always find a verse or passage that encourages my heart.

How does the Word give us hope? By pointing us to the only person who we can trust in – God. God is trustworthy and completely dependable. He is faithful. He loves us. We can, therefore, hope in Him, knowing that He will always do what He has promised.

Take a look at this short psalm below. Isn’t a true depiction of hope in the Lord?

Psalm 121

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills— from whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.” (NKJV)

I could go on and on listing verses from the Bible that give us hope. What encourages me the most about the word of God, however, is that it points me to a faithful God, one in whom I can be sure will never disappoint me. I can always confidently look forward to what He has for me, even if it is not what I desired, because I hope in Him.

The Word of the Lord is a great treasure, friends, and a precious thing that we cannot afford to ignore. I cannot imagine life without God’s word. I don’t know what I would do without it. How about you?

 

Psalm 119:162 “I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure.” (NKJV)

 

 

 

Dear friends, do you treasure God’s word? Have you taken the time to delve into it so you can find the hidden gems in its pages? I would encourage you to do so this week and to let the Lord speak to you through this awesome book. Please share this article with a friend who may need to read it. Also, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section. God bless you in the week ahead!