Last week, as we began examining Psalm 119, we noted four uses of the Torah.
- The Torah regulates life.
- The Torah convicts us of sin.
- The Torah provides instruction in holiness.
- The Torah provides background to help us understand ourselves and help us understand the atonement.
But for the Torah, or any part of God’s word, to bless us in the intended way, we must approach it properly. Some people seem to seek with no real desire to find. Some read the Bible with no real desire to understand. The verses we will cover in this article tell us four things about how we should approach God’s word.
We must seek God’s word eagerly. My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times. … I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! … Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life! (20, 32, 40)
Perhaps we should ask ourselves, “Are we devoted to the Lord’s teaching, as were the first Christian converts (Acts 2:42), or are we mildly interested in it?” It is not the one who is mildly interested in God’s word who will be blessed, but the one who is “consumed with longing” for it, who “runs in the way,” and who “delights” to do so.
We must seek God’s word persistently. This eager seeking continues even in the face of opposition. Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes (23). This is not a passing interest, this worshipper “clings” to the Lord’s words. I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame! (31). Good things take time. We need a ‘long obedience in the same direction’ if we are to benefit from God’s word (cf 1 Cor 15:58; 2 Tim 2:15)
We must seek God’s word humbly. The writer recognizes the need of the Lord’s help to rightly receive the word. Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works. …. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. …. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! (27, 34, 36). We should therefore pray as we study, recognising that unaided human reason will often misapply God’s word.
Elsewhere in the scriptures, we observe the belief that other believers are also helpful to us as we approach God’s word (Pr 27:17; Acts 2:42; 8:30-31; Heb 10:24-25). The one who always studies alone, especially without prayer, is arrogant and will not find the blessing — even though it is sought eagerly and persistently.
We must seek God’s word with the intention of keeping it. Why do we want God to bless us? The worshipper seeks blessing that he may long obey. Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word (17). Richard Baxter’s poetically expressed approach is an excellent one.
Whether I Die or Live
Lord, it belongs not to my care,
Whether I die or live;
To love and serve Thee is my share,
And this Thy grace must give.
If life be long I will be glad,
That I may long obey;
If short–yet why should I be sad
To soar to endless day?
Christ leads me through no darker rooms
Than He went through before;
He that unto God’s kingdom comes,
Must enter by this door.
Come, Lord, when grace has made me meet
Thy blessed face to see;
For if Thy work on earth be sweet,
What will Thy glory be?!
Then shall I end my sad complaints,
And weary, sinful days;
And join with the triumphant saints,
To sing Jehovah’s praise.
My knowledge of that life is small,
The eye of faith is dim;
But ’tis enough that Christ knows all,
And I shall be with him.
When we ask for blessings, and do not receive them, perhaps we should have a look at how we have been using the blessings we have already received. Why should the Lord deal bountifully with one who is not making proper use of current blessings? What good would it do? Why should he grant deeper understanding to those who do not obey the portions of his word that they already understand? Why should he grant long life to one who uses his life for self?
A chemistry book is not a cookbook — try to use it as one and you will be disappointed. The Bible must be read in keeping with its intended purpose. If we read it in the right way, it will bless us.
Let us seek God’s word
- eagerly,
- persistently,
- humbly
- and with the intention of obeying.
___________________________
- Which of these do you find the most difficult to maintain in seeking God’s word, eagerness, persistence, humility, or the intention to obey?
- What might the church leaders do to encourage more eagerness, persistence, and humility in Bible study?