“The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;”
– Psalm 19:7-8
The psalmist here highlights four blessings and benefits that come from regular reading, study, and meditation on God’s Word, the Bible.
God’s Word revives our weary souls. It encourages us when we’re discouraged. When we come to the Word exhausted and ground down by the trials, tribulations, conflicts, and petty indignities of life, God’s Word strengthens and renews our souls.
God’s Word makes us wise. God is all-wise and He shares that wisdom with us through His Word. His Word is a powerful antidote to the foolishness of our human nature and fallen human culture. God’s Word convicts us, corrects us, rebukes us, and teaches us, guiding us toward godliness, the greatest wisdom we can possess.
God’s Word lifts our hearts with rejoicing. When we contemplate the goodness, mercy, grace, and kindness of God poured out so abundantly through Jesus Christ we’re filled with joy. We know that life has purpose and meaning. We know that we’re loved and significant in God’s eyes. We know that God is always with us and will never abandon us.
God’s Word cleanses our souls. As we recognize our own sins and shortcoming in the mirror of Scripture, we confess those sins and receive God’s forgiveness. Study of Scripture puts us in a posture to be transformed by God’s Holy Spirit. There’s no greater single divine influence on our lives than the regular intake of God’s Word. Are you in the Word every day?