“The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.”
(Psalm 119:72)
No one naturally delights in God or His Word. Instead, by nature, we follow the ways of the world and seek out our selfish desires (Eph. 2:1-3) because we are all born dead in original sin.
But when God’s Spirit opens our eyes to the light of the glorious gospel of God and by faith we embrace Christ as Savior and Lord, our appetites change. Like newborn babies, we desire the milk of the Word that is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. We develop a taste for God and His Word (Ps. 34:8). We grow to love His Law (Ps. 119:97).
When a child of God is born into the family of God, he is clothed in the righteousness of Christ and receives eternal life. God’s Word is that believer’s nourishment for life. This is why Christianity should never be reduced to a list of requirements, regimens, commands and mere laws, for that is nothing but the letter of the law without the spirit. It is works… without faith (James 2:26), which is “dead.”
One who presumes to serve God grudgingly does not serve Him at all. Cain brought his offering to God grudgingly, dutifully, as a fine rather than a sacrifice. Thomas Watson said, “Cain brought his offering, but did not bring himself. What Seneca says of a gift, I may say of a sacrifice; it is not gold and silver that makes a gift, but a willing mind, if this is lacking, the gold is only parted with, not given. So, it is not prayer and hearing that makes a sacrifice, but it is a willing mind. Cain’s was not an offering, but a tax, not worship, but penance.”
God’s Word is alive. It is living and active and effective and powerful because it is infused by the Spirit of God (Heb. 4:12, John 6:63). And it is desired by those who love their God. The redeemed see the beauty in God’s Law, for His Law is perfect and pure, more precious than gold, and sweeter than honey (Ps. 19:7-10). The soul that looks into this Law, seeing so much beauty and perfection, cannot but delight in it.
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts,” (Jeremiah 15:16)
- Help me carefully examine my love for Your Word, Lord. Do I desire Your Word with a willing mind? Do I delight in it from a pure heart and motives that please You? Help me in this that I might adore Christ all the more as the Living Word.
- Do I love Your Word above all riches and cherish it as my source and strength? “I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches,” (Psa. 119:14). “The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver,” (Psa. 119:72). “Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage forever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart,” (Psa. 119:111).
- Do I see Your Word as my chief comfort in affliction? Do I hear it as the Word of God, and not of men (1 Thess. 2:13)? Do I hide Your Word in my heart and mind (Ps. 119:11)? Is it my desire and delight both day and night (Ps. 1:2)?
Further References for Psalm 119:72
Ps. 119:127, 19:10, Prov. 8:10; Ps. 119:14, 97, 103
