Beech Tree News Network

Psalm 119:20, 40, and 131 state very interesting thoughts. In Psalm 119:20 we read, “My soul is breaketh (is consumed) for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.” Verse 40 says, “Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.” Verse 131 states, “I opened my mouth, and panted; for I longed for thy commandments.”

    These verses reveal much. Notice that David said he longed for God’s word “at all times” (v. 20). Verse 40 says David recognizes that God’s word has life-giving power. On seven other occasions in Psalm 119, David repeats his praise for the life-giving power of God’s word. In verse 131, David said he “pants” like a thirsty person, and wishes to be refreshed with God’s word. This thought is similar to Psalms 42:1 and 63:1. Hungering and thirsting for God’s word is a “blessed” characteristic in Christ’s kingdom (Matt. 5:6).

    After reading David’s words, can I say that I truly long for God’s word? Can I say that my soul is “consumed” in longing for His word, and that I want to hear it “at all times”? In a world that pulls my attention away from spiritual truth with entertainment, hobbies, sinful acts, cares, worries, troubles, conspiracies, and the like; can I speak as David and say I long for God’s word? What joy, what nourishment am I gaining from God’s word? Am I like David?

    Friends, do we see what a high priority David placed upon God’s word? What priority do we give God’s word? Within the Bible, we find the instructions for salvation from sin. We also find sustaining power for our soul within the Scripture (I Pet. 2:2; Heb. 5:14). How can we not long for it? When our priorities are straight, we will speak as David.

    We know that eating a proper diet has life-sustaining power for our bodies. In like manner, the Bible has life-giving and sustaining power for our souls! David knew this! Though he was a mighty king, and a great warrior, and though he had power over a nation, he readily confessed his dependence upon the word of God. What about us? Do we confess that we are “strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Heb. 11:13)? When we remember who we are and our purpose for being upon earth, then the longing, the hunger, for spiritual truth gets greater and greater.

    Jesus stated, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4). On a spiritual level, David expressed the same sentiment as the words of Christ in Matthew 5:6. Friend, do we desire, or long for God’s word and wish to be nourished multiple times a day? If not, why not?

    When we appreciate God’s word as David did, we will not want to hear the experiences, philosophies, and creeds of men. We will want to hear the pure, complete, and simple word of God (Acts 10:33). We will readily say, “Preach the word” (II Tim. 4:2)! When we humble ourselves as David, we will understand the words of Job who said, “I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food” (Job 23:12). Let us demand Bible preaching from the pulpit! Let us read the Bible again “for the first time” and glean the blessings!

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167