Psalm 119: Mem

Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic

If a kid goes to school from 8-3 and then participates in sports, or school clubs, they are spending 8-9 hours a day learning what the school has to offer. That translates to 40-45 hours a week.

If they go to church once or twice a week, they are getting 1-2 hours a week of teaching and training in the Bible.

If they same child receives Bible teaching a discipleship from their parents throughout the week at 15-60 minutes a day that is somewhere between 1.5-7 hours a week.

If we consider those numbers, what part of education do we value the most?

What would it look like if we hadn’t removed God from our schools. What if each and every subject began with the conversation of how God created all things including the rules of math, the foundations of science, and the course of history. Grammar rules are satanic so we can’t blame God for those. No just kidding, God gave us language for relating to one another and to convey accurately the truth He has given us.

Because most of us begin life with this pattern, we don’t see how God integrates into every aspect of our lives.

When we go to work, how is God involved in what we do? How is that made evident in our thoughts, actions, and words?

When we parent, how is God involved in what we do?

When we vacation, recreate, hang out, and celebrate?

The Word of God teaches us a subject that far outweighs anything we learn in school.

Every education should begin with Theology. Who is God? What does God desire? What does God declare to be true? What are the standards God has given? What are the warning God has put in place?

When people are being hired skill matters greatly but what is of higher consideration?

Character

Honesty

Consideration for others

Devotion

Humility

Diligence

All of these things are produced not from academic rigor but from the life transforming relationship with God and the truth of His Word.

Today the Psalmist is going to talk about the great value of God’s Word and how it surpasses all other forms of knowledge.

Mem

Psalm 119:97-104 in Hebrew

Psalm 119:97–104 ESV

97 Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. 101 I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. 102 I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. 103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

The value of God’s Word

Psalm 119:97 ESV

97 Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.

The Word makes us wise

Psalm 119:98 ESV

98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.

The Word gives us understanding

Psalm 119:99 ESV

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.

The Word gives us knowledge

Psalm 119:100 ESV

100 I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.

The result of God’s Word applied to life

It keeps me from evil

Psalm 119:101 ESV

101 I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.

It helps me know right and wrong

Psalm 119:102 ESV

102 I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me.

It makes me satisfied and I am content

Psalm 119:103 ESV

103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

It lets me see the way of sin and what a waste it is

Psalm 119:104 ESV

104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

Knowing the value of God’s Word, what should our response be?

Repent of sinful ways

Psalm 139:23–24 ESV

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Choose God’s way

Matthew 7:13–14 ESV

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Study the Word so it can change you

Hebrews 4:12–13 ESV

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.