Know the Word
Written by Kaley Morgan
"Not Psalm 119. It's too long."
Do you relate? Maybe you're a big reader, so the length of that chapter doesn't intimidate you. Or, maybe you're like me. You don't like stopping in the middle of the chapter. You like to read in short spurts. Therefore, you like short chapters. My favorite novels are the ones with a lot of short chapters. In other words, not Psalm 119.
But this time, Psalm 119 encouraged me in a fresh way towards the priority to know the Word. My prayer is that it does the same for you...
Psalm 119:1 says, "How happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk according to the Lord's instruction!"
How do we walk according to the Lord's instruction, if we do not know what it is. The Bible is the Lord's instruction manual, and Psalm 119 focuses on how we must continually learn and apply the principles of the inspired Word of God in order to find true fulfillment.
Psalm 119 mentions "scriptures" or various synonyms of the Word over 150 times, and teaches us the benefit of knowing His Word.
For the sake of a blog post that is not as long as Psalm 119, I want to focus on two main areas.
1. Right living: His Word guides is in our own choices in life.
How do we know how to live righteously? The Word.
The Word helps us live a pure life: "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your word" (v. 9).
The Word gives us a repentant and humble posture: "I thought about my ways and turned my steps back to your decrees. I hurried, not hesitating to keep your commands" (v. 59-60).
The Word helps us distinguish between the right way and the false way: "I have kept my feet from every evil path to follow your word. I have not turned from your judgements, for you yourself have instructed me. How sweet your word is to my taste—sweeter than honey in my mouth. I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every false way." (v. 101-104).
The Word shows us the way: "Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path" (v. 105).
The Word gives us understanding and wisdom: "The revelation of your words brings light and gives understanding to the inexperienced" (v. 130).
2. Comfort living: His Word helps us navigate hard times in life. The Bible does not say we won't have trouble. It teaches that we will. Sometimes it's a result of our own choices when we fail at right living. Sometimes we've done everything right and it's a result of someone else's failure at right living. Sometimes it is just a result of a fallen world. When we have trouble, we can find comfort.
How do we find comfort in the middle of trials? The Word.
The Word gives life: "My life is down in the dust; give me life through your word" (v. 25)
The Word strengthens: "I am weary from grief; strengthen me through your word" (v. 28).
The Word comforts: "This is my comfort in my affliction: Your promise has given me life" (v. 50).
The Word saves: "If your instruction had not been my delight, I would have died in my affliction" (v. 92).
The Word gives hope: "You are my shelter and my shield; I put my hope in your word" (v. 114).
The Word gives peace and protection: "Abundant peace belongs to those who love your instruction; nothing makes them stumble" (v. 165).
I want to live right and have comfort. Do you?
So, we must know the Word.
The great part is that we are not on our own in this endeavor. The Holy Spirit helps us: "I pursue the way of your commands, for you broaden my understanding" (v. 32)
So, we must resolve to know the Word.
"I am resolved to obey your statutes to the very end." (v. 112).
Now what?
Let's get into the Word! Here are some ideas....
We are heading into the Easter season, so it is a great time to revisit the Easter story.
1. There is a "dive deeper" reading plan available on our blog that was published last year that walks you through the Easter story, in all four gospels, in chronological order. It is highlighted on this year Easter page.
"Not Psalm 119. It's too long."
Do you relate? Maybe you're a big reader, so the length of that chapter doesn't intimidate you. Or, maybe you're like me. You don't like stopping in the middle of the chapter. You like to read in short spurts. Therefore, you like short chapters. My favorite novels are the ones with a lot of short chapters. In other words, not Psalm 119.
But this time, Psalm 119 encouraged me in a fresh way towards the priority to know the Word. My prayer is that it does the same for you...
Psalm 119:1 says, "How happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk according to the Lord's instruction!"
How do we walk according to the Lord's instruction, if we do not know what it is. The Bible is the Lord's instruction manual, and Psalm 119 focuses on how we must continually learn and apply the principles of the inspired Word of God in order to find true fulfillment.
Psalm 119 mentions "scriptures" or various synonyms of the Word over 150 times, and teaches us the benefit of knowing His Word.
For the sake of a blog post that is not as long as Psalm 119, I want to focus on two main areas.
1. Right living: His Word guides is in our own choices in life.
How do we know how to live righteously? The Word.
The Word helps us live a pure life: "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your word" (v. 9).
The Word gives us a repentant and humble posture: "I thought about my ways and turned my steps back to your decrees. I hurried, not hesitating to keep your commands" (v. 59-60).
The Word helps us distinguish between the right way and the false way: "I have kept my feet from every evil path to follow your word. I have not turned from your judgements, for you yourself have instructed me. How sweet your word is to my taste—sweeter than honey in my mouth. I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every false way." (v. 101-104).
The Word shows us the way: "Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path" (v. 105).
The Word gives us understanding and wisdom: "The revelation of your words brings light and gives understanding to the inexperienced" (v. 130).
2. Comfort living: His Word helps us navigate hard times in life. The Bible does not say we won't have trouble. It teaches that we will. Sometimes it's a result of our own choices when we fail at right living. Sometimes we've done everything right and it's a result of someone else's failure at right living. Sometimes it is just a result of a fallen world. When we have trouble, we can find comfort.
How do we find comfort in the middle of trials? The Word.
The Word gives life: "My life is down in the dust; give me life through your word" (v. 25)
The Word strengthens: "I am weary from grief; strengthen me through your word" (v. 28).
The Word comforts: "This is my comfort in my affliction: Your promise has given me life" (v. 50).
The Word saves: "If your instruction had not been my delight, I would have died in my affliction" (v. 92).
The Word gives hope: "You are my shelter and my shield; I put my hope in your word" (v. 114).
The Word gives peace and protection: "Abundant peace belongs to those who love your instruction; nothing makes them stumble" (v. 165).
I want to live right and have comfort. Do you?
So, we must know the Word.
The great part is that we are not on our own in this endeavor. The Holy Spirit helps us: "I pursue the way of your commands, for you broaden my understanding" (v. 32)
So, we must resolve to know the Word.
"I am resolved to obey your statutes to the very end." (v. 112).
Now what?
Let's get into the Word! Here are some ideas....
We are heading into the Easter season, so it is a great time to revisit the Easter story.
1. There is a "dive deeper" reading plan available on our blog that was published last year that walks you through the Easter story, in all four gospels, in chronological order. It is highlighted on this year Easter page.
2. If you're looking for a shorter plan, get The Bible App, and you can search something like "Easter Reading Plans" or "Easter Stories" and find several to choose from.
3. Maybe you want to study Psalms 119 now? GO FOR IT! And if you're afraid of the length, Psalm 119 is what they call an acrostic psalms, which means there are 22 stanzas, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. How about reading 1 stanza a day?
Then What?
When you're done with one reading plan, choose another, then another, then another. Because at no point are you done "knowing the Word." Knowing the Word isn't reading the Bible just a little bit. Knowing the Word isn't reading the Bible all the way through one time, or even two times, or five times. Knowing the Word isn't being a pastor or getting a degree in Biblical Studies. Because we are forgetful people, we need to repeat. Knowing the Word is a rhythm of reading it, studying it, memorizing it, following it, and obeying it, all the days of your life. Knowing the Word is knowing God.
Whatever you do, know the Word. Repeat.
Then What?
When you're done with one reading plan, choose another, then another, then another. Because at no point are you done "knowing the Word." Knowing the Word isn't reading the Bible just a little bit. Knowing the Word isn't reading the Bible all the way through one time, or even two times, or five times. Knowing the Word isn't being a pastor or getting a degree in Biblical Studies. Because we are forgetful people, we need to repeat. Knowing the Word is a rhythm of reading it, studying it, memorizing it, following it, and obeying it, all the days of your life. Knowing the Word is knowing God.
Whatever you do, know the Word. Repeat.
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2 Comments
Kaley, thank you so much. You are my kind of gal, short chapters. Please say 'HI' to your parents
HI CAROL! You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed the blog. Ahh yes, short chapters are just so much easier to digest! :) They say hello!