Psalm 119 is one of the greatest chapters in the Bible. It is, in fact, the longest chapter in the Bible. What makes it extraordinary is that it is a celebration of the law of the Lord. Psalm 119:1-2 begins, "Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart." As Christ followers, the Bible is the source of light and life that we desperately need. John tells us in his gospel, John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Throughout Psalm 119, we see words like "law," "statutes," "ways," and "decrees." Dr. David Jeremiah tells us, "God's gracious revelation shows us the surest and safest way through life's twisted highways and byways." As Christ followers, we recognize the value of God's Word to us. We celebrate the law of the Lord! The Psalmist goes on to say in Psalm 119:12-16, "Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I WILL NOT NEGLECT YOUR WORD."
Do I truly love the Word of God? Do I rejoice in following God's Word? Do I celebrate daily God's Word? I hope that we all can say an astounding, "YES!" to these questions. I hope that we can all say to the Lord, "I WILL NOT NEGLECT YOUR WORD." If God's Word is truly my light and my life, then I can't live without it. If, as John says, "the Word is God," then I will recognize to celebrate the Word of God in my life is to actually celebrate God in my life. If and when I neglect the Word, then I am truly neglecting God. If and when I neglect the Word, then I am walking in darkness and death.
Lord, help me to rejoice in Your Word. Help me to celebrate Your Word. Lord, help me to read Your Word so that I might have light and life in this world. Teach me and give me understanding so that I might not only hear your laws and decrees but that I might also keep them. Thank You, Lord, for revealing Yourself to me through Your Word. You are good, and I trust in You. I trust in Your Word. I WILL NOT NEGLECT YOUR WORD! Amen!
