Psalm 119:161-168 (KJV)
161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
166 LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.
When Westward expansion was the hot topic of the day, anytime that it was reported that gold had been found, it would cause a rush of people leaving everything behind and heading west with hopes of wealth and a better life.
Today is no different, even though the west has been won and settled. People seek higher education and certifications so they can advance in a career. People change jobs, move from one city and state to another city and state with the dreams and hope of economical strength. People invest money with the hope to make more. And not that any of this is necessarily wrong, but I wonder if some people own a Bible they rarely, if ever, read. I wonder if some are content to sit on a church pew and keep it warm.
However, I wonder if there are some like the psalmist, who declare, "I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil." I choose to by this type of person.
1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (KJV)
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Do you want a surface relationship with God? This is represented by "wood, hay, and stubble." These things are all found on the surface of the earth. It doesn't take much to obtain these items. However, when this type of "works" are judged by fire, then they will be consumed and destroyed.
Do you want a deep relationship with God? This is represented by "gold, silver, and precious stones." These things are all found beneath the surface of the earth. It takes much effort to obtain these items, and when the judgment of fire comes upon these elements, they are purified and increase in their value.
So, do you rejoice at the Word of God as one that discovers a great spoil? Or do you casually read and study the Word of God? I cannot choose for you fellow laborer, but I desire to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The Word of God is life to me. It is more valuable to me than rubies and diamonds, or gold and silver. I love to mine it's depths and discover fresh revelation. While I cannot choose for you, I hopefully have inspired you to "rejoice at (God's) word, as one that findeth great spoil."
The psalmist continued, declaring, "Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments." This number is not a literal number, but rather an infinite number. On the seventh day, God rested from all His labor. In the account of creation, each of the first six days have a beginning and ending. However, there is no ending mentioned to the seventh day. Obviously it did end, and the eighth day began. However, the symbolic truth from this is that God's rest never ends. So, in keeping with this figurative example of seven, the psalmist is declaring that "All day, every day, for as long I shall live, I will praise God!"
Because of his deep passion for the Word of God, the psalmist also says one of the most quoted psalms, "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them." This word offend means "to cause to stumble." Because I love His Word more than anything... because I mine it's depths and discover His truth... Because I rever the Word like the '49ers revered gold... I will have great peace and nothing will make me stumble: NOTHING!
Economic troubles shall not "offend" me...
Difficulties shall not "offend" me...
Friends or family who reject me shall not "offend" me...
__________ (you fill in the blank) shall not "offend" me...
Thanks for reading my blog today. I'm signing off now. I've heard there's "gold" in the Word and I'm "rushing" to go see what I can find.......
