How Do We Use the Bible Psalm 119:9-16

Introduction

All the ordinances of Your mouth

Introduction is all about the Bible. Almost every one of the 176 verses says something about it. The Bible is God’s Word and its purpose is not just to inform us (make us smarter), but to transform us (change us). Here are the verses we consider today:

is all about the Bible. Almost every one of the 176 verses says something about it. The Bible is God’s Word and its purpose is not just to inform us (make us smarter), but to transform us (change us). Here are the verses we consider today:

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?

By keeping it according to Your word.

10 With all my heart I have sought You;

Do not let me wander from Your commandments.

11 Your word I have treasured in my heart,

That I may not sin against You.

12 Blessed are You, O Lord;

Teach me Your statutes.

13 With my lips I have told of

All the ordinances of Your mouth.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,

As much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate on Your precepts

And regard Your ways.

16 I shall delight in Your statutes;

I shall not forget Your word.

Looking at these verses, we will ask ourselves this question: How should Christ-followers use the Bible?

How should Christ-followers use the Bible?

Follow the Bible

Most of the time in our daily life we just think about what we want to do. We make our choices. That’s okay if we remember that we are to be motivated by what God wants us to do. We might want to pray to start the day and say like this writer, “Do not let me wander from your Word.” It’s easy to get on the wrong path, to drift away from God and think about self.

Treasure the Bible

We may be familiar with this way of saying verse 11: “Thy Word have I hid in my heart”, but a better way to understand that verse is this: “Your Word I have treasured in my heart”. Do we actually look at the Bible as being a treasure? Later the psalmist says that he delights in the Bible more than all riches. Is that how we feel about the value of God’s Word? We should. It’s a treasure to us if we love Him as we ought.

Learn the Bible 

As a matter of prayer, the psalmist says to God in verse 12 “Teach me your statutes” (your Word). We should want Him to teach us what the Bible says, which implies that we want to learn more of it. That happens when we read it, think about it, or listen to someone teach us. We all need to be learners.

Share the Bible 

These verses also tell us to talk about the Bible when it says in verse 13, “With my lips I have told of the ordinances of Your mouth”. When we learn something about what the Bible says, then it’s time to tell others about it.

Enjoy the Bible

Sometimes we read or think about the Bible and we get bored and try to finish quickly. But this psalm writer has a different take. He rejoices in what it says (verse 14), and he even takes delight in it. He’s not bored with it at all. It puts a smile on his face! He loves spending time with the Word of God. If that’s not true for you, then something is wrong in your heart. It’s time to go back to the basics of what God has done for you.

Remember the Bible

The writer of Psalm ends this section by saying that he will not forget God’s Word. You may be able to memorize some short verses, which is very helpful. But at the very least, you should try to remember basic Bible truths and be able to say them in times when they will be helpful. God is good and He does good (). God loves me and gives me eternal life (). God makes everything work together for good to those who love Him (). The more time you spend reading the Bible, the more simple Bible truths like these you will learn and remember. It might be helpful to write truths like these down to remind yourself of them when you need it.

Conclusion

The Bible is the Word of God, and it gives us the wonderful words of eternal life. We need to use the Bible just the way that God wants us to use it. If you are a follower of Christ, which means that you have placed your faith in Him as the One who saves you from your sins to give you eternal life, then you will have a desire for knowing what He wants you to do. This is what the apostle Peter says: “Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” ().