Today's Word of Encouragement

PRAISE FOR THE WORD OF GOD
Thursday, May 21, 2020

     Sometimes prayer needs no petition, but should be the simple sacrifice of praise to God from a grateful heart. Though we are a needy people, our greatest need is to recognize the great love, mercy, grace, and compassion of the Lord, and to thank Him for these gifts. The mind, heart, and spirit need to give God the glory for His goodness toward us.

     Seven times a day I praise You, because of Your righteous ordinances (Psalm 119:164).

     It would be difficult to see how King David could rejoice in God’s Word to someone who is not diligent and consistent in its study. But David delighted in the Law of God because he delighted in God Himself. God’s law filled his heart with awe, joy, love, and gratitude because he had been diligent in its study. My mother was right when she said, “To love God is to love His Word, and to love His Word is to love God.”
     Note David’s attitude toward God’s Word:

     My heart stands in awe of Your words (v. 161).
     I rejoice at Your word, as one who finds great spoil (v. 162).
     I love Your law (v. 163).
     I praise You, because of Your righteous ordinances (v. 164).
     Those who love Your law have great peace (v. 165).
     My soul keeps Your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly (v. 167).

     These expressions for the Word of God pour forth from a life filled with trouble. The Psalm reveals that David’s life was filled with turmoil and oppression, yet his heart and mind remained steadfast on the Word of God and his spirit rejoiced in knowing God through His Word. That is the key to a life that pleases God.
     “Father, may my spirit rejoice in the study of Your Word daily, and may my voice continually praise You for the marvelous truths it contains.”

Pastor Martin