One of the most amazing chapters in all of the Bible is Ps. 119. It is a masterpiece in its description of the value of God’s Word. Because of the Word's great value, the Psalmist says the following in verses 13-15,
“With my lips I declare
all the rules of your mouth.
In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.”
Three statements stand out to me in these verses. The Psalmist is actively responding to the truths of God’s Word. His first response is that he says that he will “declare” the Word. This means he wants to make the surprising truths contained in it known to others. He is so excited about the Word that he talks about it to others. How am I doing is declaring the value of God’s Word to others because they mean so much to me and have such value?
The second response to God’s truth is the writer says he will “delight” in it. This means that he will take great pleasure and find mental satisfaction in it. The more he thinks about it, the more he relishes the Word in his mind. His mind is thoroughly satisfied with the reality of God’s promises. I am so thankful that we have a Faith that can satisfy our minds and intellects. How am I doing in “delighting” in God’s Word?
The third response in these verses is that the Psalmist says he will “meditate” on the truths of God’s Word. The word for “meditate” means “to ponder…converse (with oneself)” (Strong’s Dictionary). The writer contemplates the great truths of the Word and has a conversation with himself about them! He thinks deeply about them and how they apply to his life. How am I doing in “pondering” God’s Word?
It takes discipline to respond to the Word as described here. I must tell others about it; I must satisfy my mind with it and I must ponder it deeply and discern how it applies to my life so that I can be careful to live it out.
Father, thank you for the surpasses greatness and value of your Word. May you help me to think deeply about it so that I can live it and tell others about it.
Following Jesus with you,