Psalm 119
If you want to know the importance of the Bible, read this one psalm. Psalm 119 is the longest psalm, and it is totally devoted to God’s Word and its significance. As you read, you will be reminded of it’s special qualities and what it does for those who follow it.
There are many attributes of the Word of God.
The Word causes a young man to keep his way (V. 9)
The Word is my counselor. (V.24)
The Word revives me and strengthens me. (V.25, 28)
The Word brings me salvation and lovingkindness. (V.41)
The Word teaches me good discernment and knowledge. (66)
The Word is forever settled in heaven. (89)
The earth stands according to the Word.(91)
The Word is exceedingly broad. (96)
The Word is pure.(140)
The Word makes me wiser than my enemies. (98)
Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. (105)
Those who follow the Word have great peace and nothing causes them to stumble. (165)
The unfolding of the Word gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. (V.130)
So what’s David’s response to God’s Word?
I have ‘treasured Thy word in my heart that I may not sin against Thee. (V.11)
I have rejoiced in Thy precepts as much as all riches, and I will teach them to others. (V. 14)
I will speak of Thy testimonies before kings and not be ashamed. (V. 46)
I have promised to keep Thy word. (V. 57)
I wait for Thy word. (V.81))
I will never forget Thy word. (V. 93)
At midnight I will arise and give thanks to Thee because of Thy righteous ordinances.(V.62)
If you haven’t seen it before, I hope this psalm will help you to see the power of God’s Word. It changes hearts and brings wisdom. It lights the path and keeps you on track. it revives and strengthens you. God’ Word is truly a miracle for us to cherish.
Teach me thy statute. Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things from Thy law.
I Corinthians 8
In this letter to the Christians at Corinth, Paul is having to deal with some social issues of the day. We don’t have the same situations arising now, so sometimes we may get bogged down in details which aren’t of any consequence.
In this chapter, Paul is addressing the eating of things sacrificed to idols. As we said earlier, there was a temple in Corinth for the “goddess of love” and many were sacrificing animals to her. As part of the ritual, they would then eat the meat.
Obviously, someone who had turned from the idol would not want to eat meat sacrificed to her. It would be to them a form of worshiping her.
Paul is saying here that there is only one God. This idol is not a god of any sort. The meat is not really tainted, but if someone thinks that it is, their conscience will be defiled by it.
In modern English terms, don’t do anything which will cause your brother to stumble. Don’t do anything which will cause him to have a guilty conscience and then break fellowship with God.
“Take care lest your liberty become a stumbling block to the weak.” (V. 9) We need to look out for our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
