(Click here to search for all the posts in this series…)
Psalm 19:11b – … And in keeping them there is great reward. (NKJV)
This series of lessons looks at the life most Christians want, many Christians talk about and some Christians experience brief glimpses of… but few attain on a daily, consistent, long-term basis. It is a life that is:
- Refreshed and re-energized, full of wisdom, joyful, enlightened, consistent and righteous, rewarding and fulfilled.
So far we have learned that:
God’s law (His rule of action) converts (restores, refreshes) the soul because knowing and keeping His law leads to a fruitful, guiltless life of fellowship with God. (v. 7a)
God’s testimony (His declaration and evidence of facts), especially of Jesus Christ, imparts wisdom to the simple (foolish; anyone devoid of God’s truth and wisdom) (v. 7b)
- God’s precepts (instructions, directions) are right (by default) and are heart is rejoiced when we keep them. (v. 8a)
- God’s commandments are pure (by default correct; they are right and nothing other) and enlighten (bring understanding and meaning) to the eyes (the mind, the heart).(v. 8b)
- The fear of the Lord (health respect and awe; a synonym for His law and Word) is clean (pure, holy) and endures forever (does not change). (v. 9a)
- The Lord’s judgments (divine decrees/opinions) are true and righteous (for our best good always to be desired). (v.9b)
Psalm 19:10-11 – More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward. (NKJV)
It is not hard for us as humans to understand the feeling and the desire of wanting gold (money, riches). The desire for wealth is a universal emotion that has been common to mankind since the beginning of history.
Can you say today that you have ever wanted God’s Word as much as you have wanted money? Here we have in Psalms 19 the Creator of the Universe telling us that his commandments and judgments are to be desired more than gold. Then to emphasize the point God says more than “much fine gold”. Not just gold. Not just some gold. MUCH FINE GOLD.
God knows how man operates deep down and His first appeal to our understanding is a comparison to something that we can NOT mistake. We all know what it is to desire money. Secondly the Lord then appeals to our fleshly appetite for sweets stating that His law is sweeter than “honey and the honeycomb” which was the equivalent of candy in that time. Having compared the desire for Scripture to two things we can easily understand (possessions, appetite) it leaves us without excuse for not getting the point of verse 10: there is nothing in this life to be desired more than the word of God.
The Lord goes on to tell us that through the law and commandments we are warned. Warned of what? We are warned of the pitfalls and dangers of living in this sin cursed world. Knowing and obeying God’s commandments serves as a warning and deterrent to the evils of a world full of sin.
If we are doing what God commands,
then we won’t be sinning…
and we won’t be getting in trouble.
God statutes and judgments are like traffic signs and signals warning us when to stop, when to turn, what to be on the lookout for and when we are going the wrong direction, down the wrong road. DANGER AHEAD!. The more we know God’s World and meditate on it, the more we will be aware of wrong; and the more we will avoid the dangers of sin.
Finally, God tells us that keeping His commandments brings great reward. If God says it brings great reward then we can be assured that it does. The Lord does not make statements lightly. What He plainly says, He plainly means. We can be fully committed and secure that obeying God’s law and trusting in His judgments will lead to the most blessed and joyful life possible.
The Lord wants us to have the most spiritually abundant and fruitful life possible. There is only one way to do that and you can only know how by knowing God’s Word.
You can’t be rewarded by keeping God’s
commandments if you don’t know them.
How do you know them? They are revealed through His Word (the Bible) and you have to read it, meditate on it and practice it in order to know them. Knowledge of God’s law is learned through diligent, consistent, serious study of His Written Word and by asking God in prayer to illumine Truth in your heart.
God’s law is perfect; it restores and refreshes the soul. God’s testimony is sure and will make you wise. The Lord’s precepts are right and will give you a heart full of joy. God’s commandments are pure and will bring you light and understanding about life. The fear of the Lord directs us into righteousness and can be trust as holy and enduring. The Lord’s judgments are pure and righteous, sufficient to guide our life.
God’s way is more valuable than any riches as this world can offer and is sweeter than any delight the world can give. His commandments keeps us on the path of righteousness. God’s law results in a life of reward both now and in eternity.
Revelation 22:12-13 – “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” (NKJV)
The reward comes now in the form of a peaceful and joyful life. It comes in eternity when the Lord returns to take us home and reward us for our service and faith in Him.
Gracious God, Help us to understand that Your Law is meant for our good and keeping it brings great reward. Help us to desire Your commandments more than wealth, and Your Word more than the finest food. In Jesus name, Amen.
Contemplation: Do you see God’s commandments as restrictive or liberating? Do you think keeping God’s robs you of life’s reward (fun)? Have you ever desired God’s word more than money or food?
Application: Think about it. God is perfect, loving, holy and just. If He gives us a commandment, or declares a law, it is meant only for our good. Knowing it and keeping it will only lead to a peaceful, guiltless, joy-filled life. God’s laws don’t rob us, they reward us.
- What is the most obvious Bible truth you have learned today?
- What change in your life needs to be made concerning this truth?
- What specific thing will you do today to begin that change?
(seriesid:24)