Psalm 119 is an instruction how, in the midst of cultural upheaval, to stand firm as does God and His Word in the Heavens.
Psalm 119:48: “I meditate on your decrees.”
If we regularly and habitually meditate in God’s Word, the result and the benefits will be enormous. Consider:
One of the most significant statements ever made by our Lord is recorded in John 6:63; but where and how does He speak to us? The answer is: in and through His Word. As we read it and wait in His presence, the Holy Spirit reveals the truth to us, we hear His voice, and receive new life and vitality from Him, who is our life (Col. 3:4). As an illustration of this, read Luke 24:13-31, and then note verse 32! What was this “burning heart”? What had happened to these two disciples? They had been in the presence of their Lord, He had revealed Himself to them and had opened the Scriptures to them, and the result was that their hearts burned within them.
The implication of Ps. 19:7 is that when the truth of God is applied to our life, it is so powerful that it turns our life away from all that is displeasing to the Lord, and turns it to the Lord Himself. It changes our lives right round. How is it that some Christians are only “half-committed”? This is what our Lord had in mind when He spoke to Peter (Luke 22:32). Peter was converted in an initial sense, but not in a full sense. He needed to be turned right round; and by the grace of God and through the Holy Spirit he was converted in this way and became a great blessing to his brethren and to multitudes.
How do we get faith? Romans 10:17 tells us that as we read and meditate in God’s Word, faith is imparted to us and developed in us. Scripture identifies “no faith” (Mark 4:40); only a “little faith” (Mt. 6:30); or faith “as small as a mustard seed” (Mt. 17:20). Do you desire more faith (Luke 17:6)? To be strong in faith (Mt. 8:10; 15:28)? There are degrees of faith. It is important to have much faith per Matthew 9:29.
Notice the word “steadfast” in Isaiah 26:3. It refers to a quiet, unhurried, relaxed waiting in the presence of God until our minds become settled in His truth. Everywhere there is fear and there are alarms. Sin abounds and God’s judgments are surely near. All this is foretold in God’s Word; but in that same Word we find confidence in the knowledge that God is working out His purpose for the world, the Jews and for the Church. We do not feel the power of these great truths, however, by a casual reading of Scripture. Meditation is required.
It is easy to quote Romans 8:28 when all is going well, but it is not so easy when we are faced with some crushing sorrow. It is only as we really get to know our Lord, through quiet waiting upon Him and through meditation in His Word that we are able to trust Him and lean upon Him in the dark hour. If we will regularly meditate we will never get bitter when God’s hand is resting heavily upon us, or upon our loved ones or friends because we shall be able to agree with Job 23:10; and we shall appreciate the truth of Psalm 37:23-24 and will be able to rest quietly upon John 13:7.
Some Christians rarely speak of their Lord. Is it because they do not really know Him? Is it because they will not stand for him (Daniel 11:32)? We only get to know Him as we spend time with Him and as we let His Word dwell in us richly in all wisdom (Luke 6:45; Colossians 3:16).
The greatest blessing that will come to us is the personal and intimate experience we shall enjoy with our Lord (Luke 24:27; John 5:39). As we gaze on Him in His Word we shall become like Him (2 Corinthians 3:18); we shall long to please Him (2 Timothy 2:4) and obey Him (John 14:15); and we shall be able to say so with ever deepening conviction (Ps. 104:34)! And all day long we shall pray the prayer found in Ps. 19:14.
