THE BIBLE AS A SAFEGUARD

Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!  (Psalm 119:11 NKJV)

 The prayer: "Teach me Thy statutes" occurs eight times in this wonderful Psalm. It may be said to be its keynote. God's statutes are the path of purity. If a young man will take heed to them, his way will be cleansed. The passage of the Word of God through the heart, like the running of clean water through a pipe, will purify it. Constant study of the Bible is the condition of soul health.

Consecration is closely associated with Bible study (Psalm 119:10). Holiness is wholeness, that is, the whole hearted devotion of a whole nature to God, the consecration of every power to His service. This leads us to lean hard on God, and to seek His companionship and fellowship. Psalm 119:11 tells us of a good thing laid up in a good place, and the result. In the midst of a London season, and amid the stir and turmoil of a political crisis, William Wilberforce wrote in his diary: "Walked from Hyde Park Comer, repeating the 119th Psalm in great comfort"; John Ruskin said: "It is strange that of all the pieces of the Bible which my mother taught me, that which cost me most to learn, and which to my child's mind was most repulsive, the 119th Psalm, has now become, of all, the most precious to me in its glorious passion for the law of God."

The study of the Bible enables us to bear witness for God (Psalm 119:13). An inspector on a railway once said that he had a vision of God while studying his Bible and kneeling in prayer. From this he went to his duties on the station platform. At one end of the train, a man offered him some whisky, but he was able to answer, "I have had a better drink than that," and pointed him to the Water of Life (John 14:4; Revelation 22:17). At the other end of the train, another man asked him for a Testament, the slang phrase for a pack of cards, and my friend was able to pass on to him a pocket Testament! It is when the Word of God fills the heart that it overflows through the lips and actions, and it is what flows over from us that really helps and blesses our fellow men. "'Out of him shall flow rivers of living water." Let’s live in fellowship with God through His Word. This will light up our life with gladness, amid many sorrows. Wait not for Heaven, but here and now, day by day, be joyful in heart and life (Psalm 119:14-16).

PRAYER

Open my eyes, heavenly Father, so that I may behold wondrous things out of Your Word.  In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.

God's Daily Promise

Promise #302:
I have called you to My eternal glory in Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 5:10 (WEB)
But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus,
after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.