The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130 Unfolding…unpacking….brings to mind an image of a suitcase full of stuff. Now a suitcase full of stuff does not have much practical use until you unpack it. Your toothbrush and toothpaste can’t be used until you take them out of … More Unpack your Bible!
Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes. Psalm 119:124 Charles H. Spurgeon said, For our ruler to become our teacher is an act of great grace, for which we cannot be too grateful. Among our mercies this is one of the choicest.
Finally, if you’re still tempted to cast aside God’s Word for the sake of worldly gain, consider how he compares the value of God’s word to all earthly treasures: “The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces” (v. 72; cf. v. 14). “Therefore I love your commandments … More Sam Storms- Meditation on Psalm 119, Part 10
Sam Storms’ commentary on Psalm 119: On numerous occasions the psalmist speaks of his commitment to persevere in obedience to God’s Word in spite of the evil done to him by the wicked. What he has in mind is how the Word of God satisfies his heart and keeps and preserves him from the ways … More Sam Storms- Meditation on Psalm 119, Part 9
Sam Storms’ commentary on Psalm 119, Part 8: I referred above to the “sin-killing power” of God’s Word. What the psalmist had in mind by this was the capacity of God’s revealed truth to strengthen us in the face of temptation and to believe his promise of superior joy (cf. Ps. 16:11) when confronted with … More Sam Storms- Meditation on Psalm 119, Part 8
Past 7 of Sam Storms’ commentary on Psalm 119: 7) What blessings and benefits accrue to those who by God’s grace and energizing presence actually ingest his Word? What may those expect who fix their faith on obedience to what he has revealed? Here’s a sampling: they are declared: “blessed” (vv. 1-2), they “shall not … More Sam Storms- Meditation on Psalm 119, Part 7
(6) The psalmist is also determined to undertake the discipline of meditation. He often speaks of “fixing” his eyes on the commandments of God and laboring “never to forget” them (see vv. 6, 15, 16, 23, 27, 48, 61, 78, 83, 97, 99, 141, 148, 176). This is a healthy and much-needed reminder that God does … More Sam Storms- Meditation on Psalm 119, Part 6
(5) Although utterly and in all ways dependent on God for help, don’t overlook the fact that the psalmist repeatedly commits himself and “promises” to take action to learn, store up, and diligently keep the Word of God. The antecedent priority of God’s work in his heart does not preclude or undermine his responsibility to … More Sam Storms- Meditation on Psalm 119, Part 5
(4) There is great significance in the fact that the psalmist also prays that God would do more than teach him what the Law means; he prays that God would “incline” his heart to observe them (see vv. 10, 35, 36, 37, 88, 117, cf. 133). In other words, God is present to incite our souls to … More Sam Storms- Meditation on Psalm 119, Part 4
We continue reading Sam Storms’ 10 observations on Psalm 119: (3) One of the more remarkable things in this psalm is the number of times the psalmist pleads with God to teach him and instruct him and give him insight and open his eyes that he might understand the Word. The psalmist has no illusions about his own ability to understand God’s Word … More Sam Storms- Meditation on Psalm 119, Part 3
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 