“I lie in the dust; revive me by your word. I told you my plans, and you answered. Now teach me your decrees. Help me understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds. I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word. Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions. I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations. I cling to your laws. Lord, don’t let me be put to shame! I will pursue your commands, for you expand my understanding. Teach me your decrees, O Lord; I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart. Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found. Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money! Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you. Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good. I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness. Lord, give me your unfailing love, the salvation that you promised me. Then I can answer those who taunt me, for I trust in your word. Do not snatch your word of truth from me, for your regulations are my only hope. I will keep on obeying your instructions forever and ever. I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments. I will speak to kings about your laws, and I will not be ashamed. How I delight in your commands! How I love them! I honor and love your commands. I meditate on your decrees.”
Psalms 119:25-48 NLT
God’s word is essential to understanding the human condition. It is essential to understanding the truth. Filled with his commands about how one should live, and with decrees about the nature of how things are, understanding it is paramount to our thriving and even survival as creatures. Those who acknowledge God but do not acknowledge the holiness and essential nature of his thoughts are utterly foolish. They condemn themselves with abandon. Because they reject the essential nature of God’s thoughts, his commands and decrees, they reject logic and reason. Because they reject logic and reason, they invite folly. Because they invite folly, they produce judgment. Detached from the essential word of God, their valuable cannot be realized. They choose to be worthless. Faith in Christ is their last vestige of hope. He is the word of God embodied in creation. Rejection of him is the last stand one takes before full depravity sets in. Acceptance of him reinvigorates the soul and reintroduces us to the grace of God’s words. Through him we return to a time in Eden where we no longer did what was right in our minds and we no longer question “did God really say?”
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