The True, Pure, Delightful, Right, and Unforgettable Word of the Righteous and Faithful God
God is true to His Word. In other words, what is true about God is true about His Word, “Righteous are Thou, O Lord, and upright are Thy judgments (Psalm 119:137).” The natural man in the world is unfamiliar with the standard of righteousness. For this reason, he imagines himself to be right and good before God. In this, he is deluded (Rom 3:10–12; Eph 4:17).
God has revealed His standard of right standing, “Thou hast commanded Thy testimonies in righteousness and exceeding faithfulness (Ps 119:138).” God is faithful to always do right. Whereas man is ever unfaithful and unrighteous, God has shown man these attributes of God in His Law. How well does man receive this knowledge of God?
The psalmist, David, laments, “My zeal has consumed me because my adversaries have forgotten Thy words (Ps 119:139).” This was Jesus’ sentiment when He entered the Temple at Jerusalem. In the house of prayer for all nations, the corrupt priesthood had permitted a marketplace to be formed. Men have greater zeal for sports, politics, entertainment, and business than for God’s Word.
Ignorance of God’s Word is related to the amount of time and quality of one’s exposure to the Bible. It is God’s Word that enlightens us to the attributes of God. One who knows not God’s Word, knows not God. It is the task of those at enmity with God to suppress the truth (Rom 1:18). God’s Word is truth (Jn 17:17; Ps 119:160).
How one accepts God’s Word is a matter of clean and unclean, “Thy Word is very pure; therefore, Thy servant loves it (119:140).” Having received the love of God, upon the receipt of His Spirit (Rom 5:5; 1 Jn 4:19), one’s disposition toward the Scriptures is reconciled. The child of God loves the Word of life and truth. Even when the truth of God exposes the Christian, for her sins, she sees the truth of Christ shining brighter in her struggle out of darkness.
The Christian is a man on the decrease, “I am small and despised, yet I do not forget Thy precepts (119:141).” John the Baptist recognized his decline, in the presence of the holy One of God (Jn 3:30). Paul echoed his status as chief of sinners (1 Tim 1:15). The child of God is a worm in his own self-assessment.
Whereas the man content with the wisdom of the world forgets God’s Word, the redeemed cannot forget God’s promises and His faithfulness. These have become his life and hope. In order to prevent forgetfulness, the believer meditates day and night on holy writ.
Just as God is unchanging, as revealed in Jesus Christ, who is the same, yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8), so, “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy Law is truth (119:142).” While the laws of men are temporary and often change, the Law of God is eternal.
The truth of God’s Word is observed in Jesus (Jn 14:6). The Spirit of Christ is the Spirit of truth, who washes the saint with the pure water of the Word of truth (Eph 5:26), resulting in holiness, by grace. Here is life transformation (Rom 12:2), in accord with the will and work of God (Phil 2:13).
The Christian life is mixed, however, “Trouble and anguish have come upon me; yet Thy commandments are my delight (119:143).” Jesus promised His disciples they would have trouble in the world (Jn 16:33), but there is joy in our afflictions (Jas 1:2), especially when we suffer for the sake of His Name (Jn 15:21).
Our peace resides in our knowing who God is and what He has done, “Thy testimonies are righteous, forever, give me understanding that I may live (119:144).” He has commanded and declared the unchanging precepts from Him who is eternal, thus, immutable.
The prayer of the small and despised is for understanding. It is the Spirit who gives knowledge and transforms our understanding with wise application of the Bible, which is wisdom. The prudent will not forget God’s Word, for it is pure, right, true, and a delight. In his weakness, he will ask for more of God, which comes with more of God’s Word.
Christian, here is your eternal treasure, granted to you, now in time, as it is in eternity. Enjoy the fullness of your riches in Christ, which are all the spiritual blessings you have in Him (Eph 1:3). Appreciate their value by counting your blessings, reserved for you in God’s Word. Open the storehouse of heaven, today, as you open your Bible, remembering all that is yours in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
August 30. 2022
