Read the Book

This post’s passage reference: Psalm 119:7-12.

I was talking to my youngest brother this morning, and we got on the subject of learning styles. He started telling me about a learning experience he had in a high school English class. English wasn’t his thing. He was more math, science and football. He said that in high school his English teacher was tough. I know this because I had her also.  She was tough, but she was also one of the very best teachers that I had in high school. Apparently she was also creative.  

He said she borrowed a playbook from the football coach and brought it to class to use as an object lesson. She knew that English was not his thing. She called him up to the front of class. She told him that she wasn’t calling him up to embarrass him or anything, and that she was proud because he was much improved. She told the class this was for all of them.   

She held up the playbook and ask him if he knew what it was. Of course he did.  And so she started asking him questions all about the playbook from the beginning to the end. Why did they do this? When would they use this play? What was his job on certain plays?  Why were some plays in the front of the book and some in the back? He knew the playbook front to back.  There was no question he could not answer.

She ask him how he knew all this. He told her he just learned it. She wanted to know “how” he learned it. He told her that he read it. He studied it and he learned it in two weeks. So she looked at the class and told them he had just proven the lesson she was trying to teach.  What she taught them was that your learning is driven by your interests. 

In  Psalm 119:7-12, the psalmist is basically writing about praise,  teaching, learning and obeying. I suppose it is sort of like sharing his learning style. He begins with praise to the Lord, with integrity of heart, for what the Lord has taught him and for His upright judgments. His longing is do his best to keep the laws God has taught him. He begs God to please remain with him and not leave him. He desires to keep learning

Then he questions how a young man can cleanse his life? He can make sure he remains in God’s Word, studies it, learns it and takes it into his heart to do what it says; follow the guidance God gives. 

Some schools of thought think this is David writing, and some do not; but whoever is writing, they have followed God closely, they have needed Him with all their heart. They desire God to protect their walk and to not allow them to wander away from Him. 

They have taken the Word that God has given them. They learned it. They deliberately hid it in their heart. They put it there so it would help prevent them from falling into sin, which would be against God.  They bless the Lord, oh how blessed is the Lord! The psalmist’s desire is to continue to learn more and more of His decrees. 

The challenge for us as we walk with God each and every day throughout our lives is to remember that as long as we are on this earthly journey, we should be seeking to learn from God’s Word, His decrees. We sometimes think we are “there” and don’t need to deep dive into His Word any longer. The Bible is more than just a book to be read.  It is The Book to be read, and read, and read, over and over again.  The fact is, we always need to keep learning and keep growing through studying this Book. We need to keep God’s commands, guard them with our hearts  our souls.

How can we apply this passage to our lives? Make sure we set aside time to study God’s Word. Don’t just study, seek God as you study. Ask Him to write His decrees on your heart so they will be there when you need them. Then don’t just leave them locked up in your heart, do what they say! Share them with others.

What does this mean to my Faith? My Faith is strengthened when I know that the more I seek to find God in His Word, He will be found. Also when I follow God’s decrees I will be blessed and God’s Word will help protect my spiritual walk. 

My Lord, Thank You that I can come to You through Your Son, Jesus. Also that You come to me through Your Word and through the Holy Spirit.  I grow closer to You as I seek You through Your Word.  Not only do I want Your Word in my mind, I also want it inscribed on my heart.  I praise You for Your Word, for Your Book!

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“7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. 8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly. 9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.” Psalm 119:7-12 (KJV)

“And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about.” 2 Chronicles 15:15 (KJV)

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I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about my Jesus.  

What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe?  Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him?  You can know Him.  Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity.  You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.  

Here is an excellent website that can give you additional information about making your decision for Jesus Christ!  PeaceWithGod.net