Today's Word of Encouragement

THE POWER OF GOD’S WORD
Thursday, April 30, 2020

     How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart (Psalm 119:1-2).

     Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. It is an 'alphabetic acrostic'. It is 176 verses long and is divided into 22 sections of 8 verses each. The sections are arranged in accordance with the Hebrew alphabet. The first letter of each verse in a section begins with the letter of that section. For instance, each verse in Psalm 119:1-8 begins with the letter 'aleph' (A), so the section is entitled 'Aleph'. Each verse in Psalm 119:9-16 begins with the letter 'beth' (B), so that section is entitled 'Beth', etc.
    Psalm 119 was a learning tool, teaching Jewish children and converts the alphabet and the importance of God's Word. What is significant about this psalm is that it demonstrates the intimate relationship between God and His Word - you cannot know God apart from knowing His Word.
     This psalm opens with two beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-11). Blessed are those whose way is blameless, and blessed are those who observe God's testimonies. The word 'blessed' means more than 'happy'. It refers to being straight, going forward, to prosper. It's akin to the Hebrew word Shalom. When God's Word is central to a person's life, his life is straight, moving forward, and prosperous. When a person commits to the study and application of God's Word in his life, he enjoys a life that is 'blameless', meaning pure, sincere, uncontaminated.
     The author of this psalm is a man who has known great trouble in his life. But he has found that honoring the Word of God purifies the life of sin and corruption that otherwise robs the spirit of joy, the mind of peace, and the heart of love. Oh that my ways may be established to keep Your statutes! Then I shall not be ashamed when I look upon all Your commandments (vv.5-6). Such should be the longing of every soul that knows the Lord.

Pastor Martin