HIDDEN FAULTS

[68]

MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD

Read Psalm 19

            The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple… They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey…   Psalm 19:7b, 10

 

* * *

            David praises the Scriptures as trustworthy, right, radiant, pure and altogether righteous. Then he asks the question, “Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.”(19:12) Meditating on God’s Word gives us discernment. The voices of the world and the devil are ever with us and Satan often presents his ideas in a reasonable way. The only way to correctly sort out our own thoughts is by time spent in the Word. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  (Hebrews 4:12)

* * *

            Thank You Lord when the message is sweeter than honey from the honeycomb. Thank You also, when it convicts me and motivates me to correct my sinful thoughts and misguided actions. What wisdom and riches we have in Your trustworthy Word! We need that wisdom as we seek to cultivate a love of Scripture in the hearts of our children.

 

 * * *

            May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.   Psalm 19:14 NIV

ETERNAL PLEASURES

[67]

THE PATH OF LIFE

Read Psalm 16

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11 NIV

* * *

In this Psalm David expresses joy and security in the knowledge that God has long range plans for him: The promised Messiah would come through David’s descendants, and would one day be crucified, buried and arise from the dead. The apostle Peter quoted from Psalm 16 on the Day of Pentecost: “David said about Him: my body also will live in hope, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy one see decay.” (Acts 2:26b-27)

* * *

Heavenly Father; I praise You for making “known to me the path of life.” Because I received the message of the gospel, I can say like David, “you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance…Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure.(Psalms 16:5-6, 9) Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

* * *

I said to the LORD, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” Psalm 16:2 NIV

FRUIT IN SEASON

A TREE PLANTED BY WATER

[64]

Read Psalm 1

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly… His delight is in the law of the LORD and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
Psalm 1: 1a, 2-3 NKJV

* * *

God’s Word never goes out of vogue for Christians. It is relevant for every stage of life, and is the source of life itself. Believers who ask the Lord for wisdom with their children will find it, for he has promised, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. (James 1:5-6 NKJV) Then when the children are grown, God’s Word says that those parents will still bear fruit in old age and be fresh and flourishing. (Psalm 92:14 NKJV)

* * *

Lord, I want to meditate daily on Your Word so that I can sort out the many voices of advice that the world gives. Only by knowing the truth can I recognize error, and find that narrow way that leads to life. Help me to influence our children so that they too will “delight in the law of the Lord.” and avoid the “counsel of the ungodly.”

* * *

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 NIV