Do we need to understand the Bible and God to deliver us from a sinful world? Do we trust that the promises in God’s word are settled for all eternity? Let’s continue in Psalm 119.
י Yod - Understanding
Do we need understanding to read God’s word each day?
Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding so that I can learn Your commands. Those who fear You will see me and rejoice, for I put my hope in Your word. I know, Lord, that Your judgments are just and that You have afflicted me fairly. May Your faithful love comfort me as You promised Your servant. May Your compassion come to me so that I may live, for Your instruction is my delight. Let the arrogant be put to shame for slandering me with lies; I will meditate on Your precepts. Let those who fear You, those who know Your decrees, turn to me. May my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes so that I will not be put to shame. (Ps 119:73-80 HCSB)
כ Kaf - Deliverance
Do we have hope that God’s word will offer us deliverance from problems?
I long for your deliverance; I have looked to your word, placing my hope in it. My eyes grow weary with respect to what you have promised—I keep asking, “When will you comfort me?” Though I have become like a water skin dried by smoke, I have not forgotten your statutes. How many days must your servant endure this? When will you judge those who persecute me? The arrogant have dug pitfalls for me, disobeying your instruction. All of your commands are reliable. I am persecuted without cause—help me! Though the arrogant nearly destroyed me on earth, I did not abandon your precepts. Revive me according to your gracious love; and I will keep the decrees that you have proclaimed. (Ps 119:81-88 ISV)
ל Lamed - Settled Word
Though we are under a different covenant with God, is His word still filled with delightful lessons for us?
For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants. Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. I am thine, save me: for I have sought thy precepts. The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies. I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad. (Ps 119:89-96 KJV)
Are the two great divisions of the Old Testament, the law and the prophets, still valid in a spiritual sense?
Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Mat 5:17-19 LSB)
Do we need to understand the Bible and God to deliver us from a sinful world? Do we trust that the promises in God’s word are settled for all eternity? You decide!
