"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14 (NKJV)

I love the Psalms. The Lord has given me great comfort through them in times of need. He's even gently chastened and reminded me who He is, how He feels about us, His creation, and He's taught me how to praise Him through these wonderful songs/poems in times of sorrow. Psalm 19 is a Psalm of David and speaks about the revelation of the LORD's "handiwork" (vv. 1-6). Verses 7-11, today's focus, teach us how the statutes of the LORD are to be desired more than "fine gold" and how in keeping them there is great reward. I'd like to share what the Lord has taught me through this passage that you too, may be encouraged in your walk.

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting (reviving) the soul: When I asked Jesus to be Lord and Savior of my life I dove into His word in hopes that He would teach me His ways, and as I read He was faithful to revive and cleanse this wretched heart of mine and renew my mind with His truth revealing to me the lies of the world; I haven't arrived yet, I'm still a work in progress, but Phil. 1:6 assures me that "He who begun a good work will see it to completion".

The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple: Through my times of trails and testing the Lord has helped me live out how true, His testimony is (the Bible is about this as well as a guideline for living the Christian life). It's through these times (the valley's) that I've learned first hand how faithful and trustworthy He, His ways and His word are.

The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: Currently the woman at our church are studying the book of Philippians. Through the book of Philippians the author, Paul, is teaching us how he had joy, in the Lord, even though he was in prison - to him "to live is Christ to and die is gain" (Phil. 1:21). Through this we are learning how to rejoice in tough times not just the good. The Lord is teaching all of us just how right His statutes for our lives are and in this we rejoice, because our rejoicing is not circumstantial, but in our hope in the Lord.

The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes: It was through His word that my education began. The lies I'd been taught growing up (through TV, music, piers, etc) were revealed and this foolish woman began to see the "Light" and how wrong I'd been in believing the lies of the world; the more I read His word the more I realize how faithful He is.

The fear (reverence) of the LORD is clean (pure), enduring forever: The Holy Spirit indwells every born-again believer (Eph. 1: 13,14) and thus we can worship (reverence) the Lord with pure hearts, for the righteous blood of Jesus covers us now and forever.

The judgements of the LORD are true and righteous altogether: Our church is studying the book of Exodus on Wednesday evenings. Through reading the book of Exodus I see that the Israelites can testify to this. He is a loving God full of mercy and compassion - yet His judgements are just. He is a righteous God, thus making His actions so.

"More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward."

The Bible's testimony reveals the Lord's faithfulness (He keeps His promises), compassion, mercy, patience and, through Jesus, His love; this is just a small sampling of His unfathomable affection for us.

Heavenly Father, only you can understand our errors. Cleanse us from secret sin. Keep us, Your servants, also from presumptuous sins; don't let them have dominion over us. Let the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, for You, O LORD, are our strength and our Redeemer. And to You we give all glory and praise, for You, alone, are worthy. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. (prayer from verses 12-14 of Psalm 19)

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Encouragement From The Heart Website updated March 17, 2000 (note: web address changed).
http://www.geocities.com/correiaville/encourag.html there's a new page, "The Master's Garden" stop by and check it out!

Scripture references (unless noted otherwise): The Open Bible, New American Standard
copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977
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