Lesson 5: Reading What God Wrote

“God’s Word guides my relationship with him.”

To see how God’s Word helps us to know and please God.

► What is the longest chapter in the Bible? (Psalm 119)

► What is that chapter about? (Clue: Is there something mentioned over and over, at least in synonyms?)

Psalm 119 has 176 verses. God’s Word is mentioned in every verse except seven of them. Obviously, that is the subject of this psalm.

Different terms are used for God’s Word, such as precepts, statutes, commandments, and judgments.

The inspired writer of this psalm described what God’s Word meant to him and the effect it had upon him. Psalm 119 shows us the importance of the Bible for the Christian.

Some people use the Bible as a source of doctrine, as a source of evidence to prove points, as a boost for their mood when they are discouraged, or as a book for religious routines. The Bible is good for those purposes, but if a person uses the Bible only in those ways, it may seem to become separate from his relationship with God. The Bible is supposed to be much more for a believer.

Let’s look at some verses in Psalm 119 and see what this writer was inspired to say about the importance of the scripture for him.

He mentions many benefits of God’s Word:

• It gives life (50).

• It comforts (52).

• It is a lamp (105).

• It makes him part of a fellowship of worshippers of God (74, 79).

In this lesson, look especially at the verses given in bold print.

• He loved God’s Word and delighted in it (16, 24, 47, 48, 77, 92, 97, 103).

• He rejoiced about having it as if it were great riches (14, 72).

• He observed that those who have it and keep it are blessed (happy) (1, 2).

► Why did he love scripture so much?

The psalmist had a passion for scripture because of his love for God.

Why did he love God’s Word so much? Why did he consider it such a treasure? It is not just good information. He constantly referred to it as “your” (God’s) Word. He loved it because he loved God. God’s Word is an expression of the nature of God.

Look at verse 137. As he looked at God’s law and its requirements, he saw the justice and wisdom of God. Because God is upright, his law is just.

His love and worship of God are expressed in his use of the scripture—scripture is a link between God and his worshipper—revealing God to the worshipper and guiding the worshipper’s response to God. It is inspired by the Holy Spirit, illuminated by the Holy Spirit, and fulfilled in the worshipper’s life by the power of God.

Because he saw that scripture expresses the nature of God, he was angry at those who dishonor God by breaking his law. He was not angry because of personal rights but because of love for God (53, 104, 126, 136).

He did not just honor God’s word when he was with others who did. He said he would not be ashamed of God’s Word even before kings (46).

God calls people into relationship with himself. The purpose of scripture is to reveal God so that we can enter a relationship with him. Therefore, scripture calls for a response from the reader. A person is not really getting the intended effects of scripture unless he is responding to it the right way.

Notice the psalmist’s response to scripture:

• He prayed that God would teach his own Word (12, 18, 27, 33, 34).

• He prayed that he would be able to live according to it (35-37, 5, 10).

• He prayed that even his heart would match God’s will (32, 80).

• He knew that cleansing would occur through his interaction with God in his Word (9, 11).

• He claimed blessings from God on the basis of having kept God’s laws (22, 121, 153)

• He promised to obey (8). “I will” or “I shall” occurs constantly, promising a response to scripture.

• He committed time for meditation on scripture throughout the day (15, 97) and early in the morning (147-148).

This ancient psalm writer had an inspired look at the significance of God’s Word for a believer. His experience was not unique and only for him. It is the experience that each of us should have as God’s Word guides our relationship with him.

Start now to have right response to scripture:

• Realize the role of God’s Word in your relationship with God.

• Get into right relationship with God if your repentance still is incomplete.

• Commit to time in God’s Word. Start with Psalm 119, and pray these verses as you read. Philippians, Titus, and Ephesians could come next in your reading.

• Determine to continually respond to the work of God’s Spirit through his Word.

As was explained in the lesson, some people use the Bible as a source of doctrine, as a source of verses to prove points, as a boost for their mood when they are discouraged, or as a book for religious routines.

► Has your use of the Bible been too separate from your living relationship with God? Is that because you have not seen scripture as what it should be in your life?

► What can you do to give scripture its proper place?

► What specific commitment are you ready to make for your future use of scripture?

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for giving me the scripture, revealing yourself to me. Thank you for giving me understanding of it by your Holy Spirit working in my heart and mind.

Help me to understand more and more what you are like and what I should be in order to please you. Help me to always respond to your work in my heart as I read. Let your word continually change me into your image.

Lord, I commit to spending time daily meditating on your word. Give me a love for your word that comes from my love for you.

Amen

This week meditate on Psalm 119. List some things the writer said he would do because of God’s Word. Commit to do the same, and pray for fulfillment of it in your heart and life.