The Soul and God's Word

How’s your soul?

Is your soul satisfied?

What does it take to satisfy the soul?

Soul Keeping: Caring For the Most Important Part of You 12. The Soul Needs Freedom

True freedom comes when you embrace God’s overall design for the world and your place in it. This is why in the Bible you see this strong connection between God’s law and soul-freedom.

The soul seeks God with its whole being. Because it is desperate to be whole, the soul is God-smitten and God-crazy and God-obsessed. My mind may be obsessed with idols; my will may be enslaved to habits; my body may be consumed with appetites. But my soul will never find rest until it rests in God.

John Ortberg, Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2014).

The author uses eight different words to describe God’s word in relation to heart and soul. Heart and Soul are synonyms.

Psalm 119:2 ESV

2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,

God is at the center of soul happiness.

Psalm 119:10–11 ESV

10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:19–20 ESV

19 I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me! 20 My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times.

The soul needs to know God’s word.

Psalm 119:25–32 ESV

25 My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word! 26 When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes! 27 Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works. 28 My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word! 29 Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law! 30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me. 31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; let me not be put to shame! 32 I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!

God sustains the clinging and melting soul.

Psalm 119:80–81 ESV

80 May my heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame! 81 My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.

Psalm 119:173–176 ESV

173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. 174 I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight. 175 Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me. 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.

How is your soul?

What will truly satisfy your soul?

Relationship with God through his word.