Find Wisdom in the Word
The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise.
Psalm 19:7 (CSB)
The instruction of the Lord must never be overlooked in life. It must remain central and serve as the testimony and teaching of the Lord to us. Psalm 19 reveals how the Word of God provides the guidance necessary for life and also nourishes our soul. We must recognize the importance of embracing God’s Word, allowing it to deepen our relationship with the Lord and impact our daily lives.
Waking Up The Weary Soul (7). The world and life have a way of lulling us into living asleep at the wheel of life. We begin to walk through life on autopilot and often approach it without thinking, simply going through the motions of the familiar. This mindset can lead to a life that strays from following the Lord and becomes out of tune with the truth of God’s instruction. In Psalm 19, the Psalmist notes that the Word of God has the ability to renew one’s life. This renewal is distinct from the salvation that comes through faith alone in Jesus Christ. It signifies awakening from spiritual slumber and experiencing the reality of renewed strength and vitality. These transitions occur because “the instruction of the Lord is perfect” and “the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy.” The Word remains perfect and trustworthy today and will bring forth an awakening to a weary soul when engaged.
Let The Word Influence Praise (8). The Psalmist reveals how the wisdom of the Lord prompts proper praise from His children. This verse illustrates the connection between the Wisdom Psalms and the Psalms of Praise. The Psalmist notes that the instruction of the Lord is both right and radiant. As right, the instruction of the Lord is upright, pure, clean, and righteous. This statement indicates the nature of the instruction and underscores its importance for one’s life. Similarly, the instruction is radiant. The radiance of God’s Word enlightens us to see the truth. It opens our eyes to recognize our genuine state and to perceive God’s call to forgiveness and obedience. As the instruction of the Lord is engaged, the heart is moved to respond with gladness and praise. Today, the Word of God continues to bring enlightenment and prompt praise when embraced. The ways of the Lord remain right and provide essential guidance for life.
Hold Firmly to Truth (9-10). The Psalmist states that the Lord's instructions are reliable and righteous. He defines them in terms of value (gold), purity (pure gold), and sweetness (honey from the honeycomb). The nature of the Word reminds God’s children to treasure the truth and allows it to become central in life, serving as a source of wisdom. The Word must be honored as valuable because it is pure, perfect, trustworthy, and reliable. God’s instruction should be recognized as pure because it is absolute truth and without error. God’s Word must be regarded as sweet to the taste, creating a longing for more. Today, we must strive to treasure the Word of God and to live by holding firmly to it. We must acknowledge the Word as valuable, pure, and sweet.
QUESTIONS
Where in your life are you spiritually slumbering? How faithful are you in engaging God’s Word and allowing it to sound the alarm to awaken the slumbering portions of the soul?
What steps and commitments can you make to hold more firmly to the truth and to allow the truth to provide the needed wisdom to navigate life?
