Bible Reading: Psalm 119:1- 33
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD; teach me thy statutes” – Psalm 119:11-12(KJV)
The word of God is made of Statutes, Testimonies, Precepts and commandments which are used interchangeably, hence the entire bible is most time referred to as the Book of the Law. In Joshua the word says: “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth…” Joshua 1:8(KJV). Here the bible is referred to as the book of the law. Statutes are enacted laws made to govern the affairs of men. Here the codified laws were enacted by God specifying the various aspect of human endeavor e.g relationships, marriage, divorce, activities, health, obligations etc.Testimonies on the other hand are solemn statement made under oath, i.e. statement or something that serves as evidence. They are assertions offering firsthand authentication to a fact. When such testimonies emanates from God, they are as good as law. A precept is a maxim, teaching, principles, rules of personal conduct and or a doctrine that is taught. The commandments are somethings commanded by God to humanity that should be obeyed by man. Such commandments are laws by themselves as it carries the full weight of God in sanctioning disobedience e.g. the Ten Commandment as stated in Deuteronomy 5:7-21. These are the components that make up the word which the Psalmist avows to have kept intact in his heart that he might not sin against God. When the word of God abides in your heart it induces you to live righteously because the origin of that word is Holiness. God is holy and then his word can be nothing but holy.
God’s word is pure it therefore breeds purity. “Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it” – Psalm 119:140(KJV). “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him” – Proverbs 30:5(KJV). When God’s pure word enters a man it convicts him of sin which is impurity. It flushes out such impurities and sets the heart in order. In Psalm 119:133(KJV) the word states, “Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” So it means a well ordered study of the word by the Holy Spirit will result in a sinless life. This is what God expect of us when he said in Proverbs 4:20-21(KJV) “My son attend to my words ; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes(study); keep them in the midst of thine heart(meditation)”.
God’s word is light; it lightens the heart of man and gives him direction. Life without Christ is a reprobate mind. It is an unregenerated man. That man is a natural man. The spirit has been stuffed to death by darkness and is dead. Such a soul requires the entrance of the word for him to contact light and be lighted and be transformed. This will occur by the entrance of light which will dispel darkness and lighten up his inner being. Any soul without Christ is in darkness, but when Christ comes in it signifies the entrance of the word, and the word being light illuminates the heart and gives life to the Spirit of man; “And the light shinneth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” – John 1:5(KJV). In the same vein the word says in Psalm 119:130(KJV) “The entrance of the words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” The word of the LORD gives direction and illuminates our paths in life. It enables us to navigate through life and prevents us from stumbling. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet; and a light unto my path” Psalm 119:105(KJV). It is this great benefits and rewards of keeping the word in our heart that led to the Psalmist exclaiming out loud “Blessed art thou, O LORD; teach me thy statutes” – Psalm 119:12(KJV).
Dear friend, Jesus Christ is the incarnate word. When you accept him into your life his entrance illuminates your entire being and he provides you the understanding for the written word. He gives you the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Truth that will guide you in all truth and through the word. God has made provision for your total liberty, do not waste it in preference to the hassles and activities in this world that produces nothing but sorrow and grief (See Matthew 6:33).
Prayer: Father I pray that the reader of this piece come in contact with Jesus Christ the Light of the world.
Bro. Joel Ezeugo