5 Ways to Prove That I Love God’s Word

3 July 2017 Year A

Psalm 119:161-168

When is the last time you fell in love with God’s Word? I don’t mean whether you loved the new translation. I am not asking if you were impressed by the new commentary that came with the latest Bible that was promoted by the latest pastor guru you enjoy. I am not wondering whether you wanted to promote your denomination’s attempt at making the Bible more accurate and meaningful.

What I am asking is when the last time you fell in love with God’s Word. When was the last you spent time with God’s Word because you loved it?

The psalmist reminds us that loving God’s Word is what sustains us when we encounter all kinds of trials and difficulties in life.

The best translation is not going to sustain you.

The best snippets of positive wisdom by your favorite pastor will not help you.

The best intentions of your denomination’s authors will not give you hope.

It’s God’s Word alone that will sustain you, help you, and give you hope.

The psalmist states in five different ways how he proves that he loves God’s Word.

5 WAYS TO PROVE THAT I LOVE GOD’S WORD

1. Respect God’s Word (Psalm 119:161)

“Princes have persecuted me without cause, but my heart fears only Your word.” (Psalm 119:161, HCSB)

The question is do you respect God’s Word. Because you can’t love what you don’t have respect for.

2. Rejoice over God’s promises in His Word (Psalm 119:162)

“I rejoice over Your promise like one who finds vast treasure.” (Psalm 119:162, HCSB)

How many times have you “gone giddy” over the treasures you have found in God’s promises? How many times have you been happy over what you have found in God’s Word?

3. Love God’s instruction (Psalm 119:163, Psalm 119:165, Psalm 119:167)

“I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love Your instruction.” (Psalm 119:163, HCSB)

“Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your instruction; nothing makes them stumble.” (Psalm 119:165, HCSB)

“I obey Your decrees and love them greatly.” (Psalm 119:167, HCSB)

The psalmist doesn’t just the words of God themselves like he would cherish an idol. He doesn’t just like the style of the Bible. The psalmist loves that God instructs him.

He loves it because it helps him hate what is false because God’s word is true (Psalm 119:163).

He loves it because it helps him have peace and keeps him from stumbling into sin (Psalm 119:165).

He loves it because it brings him closer to the presence of God (Psalm 119:168).

4. Praise God’s judgments (Psalm 119:164)

“I praise You seven times a day for Your righteous judgments.” (Psalm 119:164, HCSB)

God’s judgments are correct. The consequences God sets out for sin are correct. If you don’t follow God’s instruction, there will be a result that can hurt you. If you do follow God’s instruction, you receive positive benefits and you can avoid the hard consequences. That is definitely something to praise God for.

5. Obey God’s commands (Psalm 119:166-168)

“Lord, I hope for Your salvation and carry out Your commands. I obey Your decrees and love them greatly. I obey Your precepts and decrees, for all my ways are before You.” (Psalm 119:166–168, HCSB)

Ultimately, Christians are called to not just listen to God’s word, but to obey it. It is the ultimate expression of a Christian’s love is whether one obeys God’s word.

Jesus said:

“The one who has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. And the one who loves Me will be loved by My Father. I also will love him and will reveal Myself to him.”” (John 14:21, HCSB)

You love God’s Word by keeping it. God the Father and Jesus the Son both respond back to that obedience with love. You get double the love for loving God’s Word.

Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash