PSALM 119:121-128 PRICELESS PEARLS

PRICELESS PEARLS

PSALM 119:121-128

ע (‘Ayin)

Psalm 119:121 I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.

Susan: The psalmist had followed God’s precepts to the best of his ability, doing justice and judging fairly.

Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Susie: He cries out to the Lord to consider his obedience and not leave him at the mercy of those trying to oppress him.

Susan: Since the psalmist had not been an oppressor, his expectation is that the Lord would not allow others to succeed in oppressing him.

Psalm 119:122 Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

Susie: He asks the Lord Himself to be the guarantee for him. Ephesians speaks of the Holy Spirit as “earnest” as in the money to reserve a house, and Hebrews refers to Jesus as our “surety.” God knows the psalmist’s heart as well as his actions and can vouch for him. Then again, he implores the Lord to not let arrogant ones keep him down.

Ephesians 1:12-14 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Hebrews 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

Psalm 119:123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

Susan: The psalmist is straining so hard to look forward to the salvation of the Lord that he is almost figuratively blinded. He is pregnant with anticipation, but he feels the Lord’s deliverance is drastically delayed.

Susie: This could be interpreted as the temporal deliverance from his enemies and/or the future deliverance purchased by the blood of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Psalm 119:124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.

Susan: The psalmist realizes his need of God’s mercy and grace. God could justly extinguish any of us at any moment. We all need His mercy.

Susie: Even though the psalmist has tried to act justly and to obey the Law, he humbly admits that he falls short and needs further instruction in the Word from the Lord. He continually realizes the immense worth of the Scripture.

Susan: He is imploring the Lord to instruct him, to mentor him in His ways through the Word.

Psalm 119:125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

Susie: The psalmist, who some scholars believe to be King David, again exhibits humility in referring to himself as God’s “servant.”

Susan: He is positioning himself at the feet of the Lord, soaking up wisdom and understanding of the Word imparted to him.

Susie: When Mary did this, her sister Martha complained to Jesus that she was being left to do all the serving of the guests by herself. But Jesus replied:

Luke 10:41-42 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Psalm 119:126 It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law.

Susie: Even though the psalmist humbles himself before God, he boldly reminds the Lord it is time to act either in his behalf or against the lawless ones in judgment.

Susan: I am reminded of a couple of passages where the Lord invites His people to reason with Him and to present their case in order to be delivered (Isaiah 1:16-20 and Isaiah 43:26).

Susie: As followers of Jesus, we have bold access to the throne of God through Jesus as our High Priest:

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Psalm 119:127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

Susan: Scripture has a value far above all the purest gold of the earth.

Psalm 19:9-11 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Susie: As we said in our introduction, Psalm 119 contains many precious gems of scripture. We need to value the word higher than silver, gold, or diamonds. Jesus compared the kingdom of Heaven to a “pearl of great price” Matthew 13:45-46. The words of God that lead us to Heaven are also “priceless pearls.”

Psalm 119:128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

Susan: The psalmist recognizes that every word of God is true and that all of scripture is a puzzle that when fitted together reveals the Father’s divine plan for His children.

Susie: Scripture reveals truth, and anything contrary to God’s word is a false way to be avoided and despised. 

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Points to Ponder:

·     The Lord Himself is our guarantee that what He has promised will be fulfilled

·     Sometimes the wait seems long, but the Lord always delivers His children

·     The Lord enables us to understand and obey His word

·     The word of God is more precious than the most valuable metal or rarest gemstone

·     If we esteem God’s word, we will flee false ways

Reflection Question: Do you view your Bible as a priceless treasure? How do your actions reflect the value you place on the word of God? Are you treasuring it up in your heart (Psalm 119:11) or is it gathering dust on your coffee table or shelf? 

PSALM 119:113-121 OPAL OBEDIENCE

OPAL OBEDIENCE

PSALM 119:113-121

ס (Samekh)

Psalm 119:113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

Susan: The psalmist does not tolerate those who see-saw in their commitments to the Lord, those who are wishy-washy wafflers.

Psalm 119:113 (HCSB)      I hate those who are double-minded, but I love Your instruction.

Susie: James instructed us to ask the Lord for wisdom but cautioned that we must ask in faith without wavering or doubting. The man who goes back and forth between belief and doubt is double minded and, as James wrote, “unstable.”

James 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Susan: Rather than following suit with those who doubt, the psalmist holds fast to the word of God, his instruction manual for life.

Susie: His stability is found in trusting in and valuing God’s instruction, loving God’s words to him.

Susan: The psalmist is diligent to obey God’s word because he knows he can trust God’s love.

Psalm 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

Susie: Several times in this psalm, the author mentions his trials, his afflictions, and his enemies laying snares for him. He has found his safe place in the Lord.

Susan: He can be completely vulnerable without fear because he is comfortable having total intimacy with His God. We, too, should be completely honest with God because He not only loves us as a father loves his children, but He already knows our thoughts.

Psalm 103:13 (VOICE) An earthly father expresses love for his children; it is no different with our heavenly Father; The Eternal shows His love for those who revere Him.

Susie: God hides us like a mother hen covers her chick with her wings, and our faith in Him coupled with His faithfulness to us is a shield that quenches the darts Satan sends toward us.

Psalm 91:4 (NASB) He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Susan: God does not need to prove Himself, but He has demonstrated His faithfulness to the psalmist. Therefore, because He has seen them fulfilled many times, the psalmist can confidently hope in the promises found in Scripture.

Psalm 119:115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

Susan: The psalmist renounces all those who refuse to obey the spirit and the letter of God’s instruction. He is relentless in his own determination to pursue God and His righteousness.

Susie: Even though we are to be a light in the darkness and a witness to the world, we need to avoid immersing ourselves in its evils. Sometimes that means withdrawing completely from those in our lives who consistently reject the Lord’s ways and try to influence us to follow their lead.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (CJB) Don’t be fooled. “Bad company ruins good character.”

2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Psalm 119:116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

Psalm 119:116 (VOICE) Support me in keeping with Your promise, O God, so that I may live; do not let my hope turn into shame.

Susan: Okay. Here’s the Susan Slade paraphrase, “I’m telling the world You’ve got my back, God. Don’t cause both me and You to be embarrassed by letting me down.”

Susie: You’re right, Susan. The psalmist is being down-to-earth real with God. He knows the Lord will take care of him because He has read the promises of Scripture, yet he tacks on the plea that the Lord will not let his hope seem unfounded.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Romans 14:4 (NIV) Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

Psalm 119:117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

Susie: We just read in the cross-references that God upholds His children and enables them to stand before Him. The psalmist is praying according to the promises of God, praying what he knows is truth from God’s word which is an excellent example for us to follow.

Psalm 119:117 (NET) Support me, so that I will be delivered. Then I will focus on your statutes continually.

Susan: Since the Lord carries him, the psalmist will have nothing to fear from the evil doers who are taunting. Then his focus can be completely on the Lord and His holy instructions.

Psalm 119:118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.

Susan: God rejects those who do not obey Him, those who believe their own lies rather than His truth.

Susie: There are people who claim to believe the Lord but justify all manner of disobedience. They are deceiving themselves, but they cannot deceive the all-knowing Lord God.

James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

Susie: We do not earn salvation and a place in Heaven by obeying God’s word because we can never be good enough to measure up to God’s perfect holiness. However, when by His glorious grace, He redeems us and places His Holy Spirit within us, we are enabled to obey Him and do good works. Our obedience is the result and evidence of our trusting in Jesus. When we trust in His finished work on the cross and believe God raised Him from the dead, the Lord declares us holy in His sight. Daily, His Spirit gives us the power to live out this holiness in practical ways.

Psalm 119:119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

Susan: Dross is the impurities that are skimmed off the top after precious metals are purified by fire and liquified. The dross is worthless. It is the unusable part of the precious metal and is discarded. God will ultimately discard those unworthy vessels who refuse to trust Him and persist in their sinfulness.

Matthew 13:49-50So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Susie: There will come a time when those who have never trusted Jesus, who have persisted in the evil of not obeying God, will be separated from those who have been justified by trusting in the shed blood of Christ. The psalmist rejoices that God’s word, the testimonies of Scripture, instruct us in how to follow the Lord and be saved from the fate of the wicked. He loves the word of God, for in it he finds the words of life.

Psalm 119:120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

Susie: The psalmist’s hair was standing on end at the thought of what would befall the wicked. He was certain of his own relationship with the Lord. However, he shuddered to think of what was in store for those who did not trust God. The thought of eternal punishment for those who never trust in Jesus should be a scary thing, but it should also spur us to tell everyone we know the Good News that they don’t have to go that route. Jesus died to free us from the chains and the punishment of sin. The hair on our arms should stand up in fear when we think of those we love being cast into fire like dross. When we see that reality, we should be quick to share the Lord with them and pray for their salvation.

Susan: The idea of being completely and forever separated from God and all that is good with absolutely no hope of being able to bridge that gap to have a relationship with Him is horrible. Once the Judgment Day arrives, the time to repent will have run out. No more chances, no more opportunity to surrender to God’s will. There is no riding the fence because Jesus says, “He that is not with me is against me,” (Matthew 12:30a). Habakkuk prophesied about judgment from God, but he could rejoice because of his trust in the Lord.

Habakkuk 3:16-18 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.  Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Susie: Don Francisco set the words of Habakkuk to music with a great chorus of praise and faith. You can listen to the song by following the link.

https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?hsimp=yhs-att_001&hspart=att&p=song+%22Jesus+is+Lord+of+the+Way+I+feel%22#id=1&vid=62e99abb19cbcda1aa2e0dfb33b53705&action=click

Points to Ponder:

·     We are safe when we trust in the Lord.

·     We cannot run with wrongdoers and consistently obey God.

·     God supports us, literally and figuratively.

·     We need to respect and follow the instructions in God’s word.

·     The day will come when God will judge the wicked and discard them.

·     We should fear the judgement that will fall on those who do not trust Christ and be compelled to witness.

Reflection Question:  We love to talk about the love of God, and we should. However, we don’t even want to think of what is in store for those who never surrender their lives to Jesus and trust Him for salvation. Picture eternal separation from God, picture Hell. Now imagine your unsaved loved ones, friends, or even acquaintances in that place of torment. Does it make you shudder? Ask the Lord to use that image to remind you of the urgency to share the Gospel with everyone you encounter.

PSALM 119:105-112 NEPHRITE NURTURE

NEPHRITE NURTURE

PSALM 119:105-112

נ (Nun)

Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Susie: A torch or a lamp was used to literally light up a path at night as we would use a flashlight or a lantern. Metaphorically, the psalmist is saying that the word of God serves as a guide to keep him on the path of righteousness. The Holy Spirit applies the word of God in our lives to nurture us toward becoming more like Jesus. This is a great verse to commit to memory, and Amy Grant recorded a song that will help you to do so:

https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?hsimp=yhs-att_001&hspart=att&p=Thy+Word+is+a+Lamp+by+Amy+Grant#id=1&vid=310b77bb2609bf7c8e9b22a0b9195b29&action=click

Psalm 119:106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

Susan: The psalmist had made a pledge, a promise, a vow to honor and obey God’s word.

Susie: To swear or make a vow to the Lord was a sacred event, and there were dire consequences for those who did not fulfill their vows.

Numbers 30:2 If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.

Revelation 16:7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

Susan: His motivation for obedience was the knowledge that God’s judgments were always authentically true.

Susie: He had confidence that God’s law, God’s instructions to mankind, were in the best interest of those who followed God.

Psalm 119:107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word.

Susan: Quicken in modern usage is to speed up. However, the word had a different meaning when the King James Version of the Bible was translated:

American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828.

QUICKEN, verb transitive quik'n.

1. Primarily, to make alive; to vivify; to revive or resuscitate, as from death or an inanimate state. Romans 4:17.

Hence flocks and herds, and men and beasts and fowls, with breath are quicken'd and attract their souls.

2. To make alive in a spiritual sense; to communicate a principle of grace to.

You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. Ephesians 2:1.

Romans 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Romans 4:17 (VOICE) As it is recorded in the Scriptures, “I have appointed you the father of many nations.” In the presence of the God who creates out of nothing and holds the power to bring to life what is dead, Abraham believed and so became our father.

Susan: The affliction could be bodily, emotionally, or spiritually or any combination of the three.

Susie: If you read through this entire psalm, you will find the human author experienced all of these types of affliction at one time or another.

Susan: Since he suffered some type of affliction, the psalmist needed to be revived, enlivened, revitalized by the Lord.

Susie: We know that God is the giver of life, and His word promises eternal life to those who trust in the Lord Jesus:

Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Psalm 119:108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments.

Susie: A “freewill offering” was exactly what it sounds like. It was something offered over and above what was required by the law because a person chose of their own free will to do so.

Exodus 35:29 The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the Lord, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the Lord had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.

Susan: Freewill offerings were given because people chose to give. They were not tithes or sacrifices for sin.

Susie: The praises we utter in word or song are a freewill offering to the Lord.

Susan: How much more would we believers use our mouths as instruments of praise and exaltation to God if we viewed our praises as an offering in the service of our Lord and Savior? The psalmist entreats the Lord for instruction in His ways.

Susie: His desire is that his actions match up to his praise offering, that the Lord would reveal to him how to live righteously.

Susan: He desires that his actions and the motivation behind them are in sync with the Lord’s will and way.

Psalm 119:109 My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.

Susie: Even though his life is threatened by enemies and he is in danger all the time, the psalmist does not let it distract him from God’s word. He continues to live according to all the Lord has shown him rather than let his detractors lead him astray.

Psalm 119:110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.

Susan: His opponents tried to trap him literally and figuratively, but it was as if the psalmist had blinders on to block out the enemies and stay focused only on the Lord. The evil ones set up an obstacle course to trip up the psalmist, one they believed he would not be able to overcome.

Susie: However, by remaining laser-focused on the Lord, he was guided through their mine-field by the power of God’s word and the Holy Spirit’s direction.

Susan: His enemies could not decipher or defeat the battle plan he was given by the Lord.

Psalm 119:111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage forever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

Susan: The treasure passed on to the psalmist was the word of God. It is more valuable than any family heirloom. The way to true contentment and joy is to do whatever we do wholeheartedly for the Lord.

Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men

Susie: Knowing the word of God, seeing His promises fulfilled, enables us to rejoice always, even during times of trial and affliction. Paul wrote the following verse from prison:

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Susan: Some might call my earth-suit (my body) a prison. Although I may seem trapped in a body that does not work like most people’s bodies, the Lord frees me from it by the power of His Holy Spirit. He empowers my mind and spirit as His instruments to share the Good News of Jesus.

Psalm 119:112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.

Susan: The psalmist has made a conscious choice to serve the Lord whatever comes, no matter the circumstances, until his final breath leaves his body and he meets the Lord face to face in glory.

Points to Ponder:

·     God’s word shines a light on how to live for Him

·     Be determined to abide by God’s word

·     God uses His word to revive us

·     Our praises are an offering to God

·     Stand firm in the word of God in the middle of affliction or trial

·     Rejoice in the word of God

·     Remain true to the word until God takes you home

Reflection Question: Is the word of God, the Holy Scripture, your light, your life, and your joy? The more you study it, the more it will become those three things. As you meditate on it, God’s word will become more and more precious to you. Determine to spend a few more minutes each day reading, studying, and even memorizing God’s word. You will be blessed as He nurtures you to be more and more like His Son.

PSALM 119:97-104 MOONSTONE MEDITATION

MOONSTONE MEDITATION

PSALM 119:97-104

מ (Mem)

Psalm 119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

Susan: Let’s define meditation:

American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828.

MEDITA'TION, noun [Latin meditatio.] Close or continued thought; the turning or revolving of a subject in the mind; serious contemplation.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalms 19:14.

Susan: The psalmist not only reads the word of God and studies it, but he mulls it over in his mind constantly throughout the day.

Susie: I have found that the more I contemplate the word of God, really dwell on it, the more I appreciate and love this divine revelation with which the Lord has blessed us.

Susan: The word not only reveals God’s will and ways to us, but it is truly a love letter to His bride, the church.

Psalm 119:98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

Susie: The commandments are constantly with the psalmist because he has invested the time in meditating upon them, and as he said earlier in Psalm 119:11, he has “hidden them in his heart.”

Susan: The word of God through the psalmist’s investment in it, prepared him to withstand the assault of his enemy and emerge victorious against them because scripture is his weapon.

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Psalm 119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

Susie: At first glance, this statement may seem to be a boast. However, he is merely stating that he has invested a great deal of time in the word of God, and as we will see momentarily, has been taught by the Holy Spirit Himself.

Susan: Immersing ourselves in Scripture makes a tremendous difference in the wisdom we take away from it by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 119:100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

Susie: “Ancients” is sometimes translated “aged.” The psalmist’s understanding and wisdom were firmly rooted in the Scripture. Being old does not necessarily mean having more of the wisdom of God.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

100. more than the ancients—Antiquity is no help against stupidity, where it does not accord with God's word [Luther] (Job 32:7-9). The Bible is the key of all knowledge, the history of the world, past, present, and to come (Ps 111:10). He who does the will of God shall know of the doctrine (Joh 7:17).

Susan: The psalmist was being taught by the most ancient of ancients, the Lord God Himself. There is not greater teacher, no deeper instruction. Therefore, Paul could write the following to his protégé, his son in the faith, Timothy:

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Psalm 119:101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

Susie: The psalmist lived centuries prior to the Apostle Paul, but verse 101 makes it sound like he was obeying Paul’s admonition, which was, of course, given by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. He was following the word of God closely, living out what he had learned.

Psalm 119:102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

Susan: The Lord personally imparted divine truth via His word to the psalmist.

Susie: God may not have been physically, visibly standing beside him, but by the Spirit, He shed light on all the psalmist studied in the scriptures.

Susan: The Holy Spirit illuminates scripture for those who believe and choose to follow His path.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Psalm 119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Susan: Honey in scripture symbolizes pleasantness, goodness, joy and prosperity. If you Google the meaning of honey in scripture, you will find several articles to this effect. One is found here:

 https://study.com/academy/answer/what-does-honey-symbolize-in-the-bible.html

Susie: The psalmist is not literally eating his copy of the Torah. However, when we speak the word of God, it brings goodness, light, and joy. Therefore, it can be compared to the sweetness of honey. Meditation on scripture can be compared to chewing on delightful candy.

Susan: In the big picture, even the parts of the Bible that seem bitter to swallow, are sweet because they are placed there as markers to keep us on the right path.

Susie: When I was a child, I had to take a capsule that I was unable to swallow. The doctor told my mother to open it up and put the contents in a spoon for me to take, but it was bitter; and I refused it. My wise mother placed the bitter medicine in a spoon but coated it with chocolate syrup. The sweetness of the chocolate made it easy to take the medicine I needed to get well. So it is with the word of God.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrnoR9cBP3o

Psalm 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

Susie: As you study and internalize the word of God, your tolerance for sin in your life grows smaller. This is not that you become judgmental but that you are able to discern falseness in yourself and others.

Susan: When we know better, our desire is to do better. Our desire changes from our own motivation to the motivation of the Holy Spirit.

Points to Ponder:

·     Meditating on scripture brings wisdom and understanding

·     As the Holy Spirit gives us understanding, we are to obey the word of God

·     God’s word is sweeter than dessert but is to be our main course

·     A love of God’s word helps us discern between good and evil

Reflection Question: When I go to a museum, I prefer to go alone rather than with a tour group because I want to sit and take in the nuances of a painting. When I eat cheesecake, I take small bites and savor each one. When I bake, I enjoy relaxing to breathe in the scent of cinnamon. Reading the word of God should be the same kind of experience. Do you read through the Bible in a year but fail to slow down long enough to meditate on it? Do you see Bible study as a necessary discipline or a delightful delicacy to be savored?