I wonder the Psalmist’s secret that enabled him to make the declaration in Psalm 119:71-72:
“It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.”
It seems what he knew is right there between the lines waiting for us to discover. He was so excited about his revelation; but he wants us to figure out for ourselves why he made the statement. He knows we will benefit from our own discovery!
He does not for a minute hesitate to say affliction was good for him and the law from his Lord’s mouth is worth far more to him than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Often we are more consumed with acquiring “thousands of gold and silver pieces” than we are about filling our hearts with the Word of God! Anything to fill the gap that only His Word can fill. Just sayin.
I know that as we are traveling through the valley of prostate cancer, our journey of affliction, and as you travel through your valley, it is in looking back we are able to see how far we have come. Not in distance but in matters of the heart.
When David was face to face with the giant Goliath, his knees weren’t quaking and knocking in fear. He had prepared himself by looking back at his previous victories and was now able to declare with confidence,
“The Lord who delivered me out of the paw of the lion and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:37
David was as steady on his feet in the slinging of his rock as he was in his confession of faith!
Are you steady on your feet and in your confession of faith when faced with your Goliath?
They come to us all in one form or another. None of us is immune.
In the years as a young, new believer, before I understood right living and repentance, I would feel so guilty, discouraged and good for nothing. A friend had given me a New American Study Bible when I graduated from Grade 12 and though dusty and ignored, during those dark nights of depression and uncertainty that Bible would come out and I began to speak the Psalms aloud in my bedroom. I assure you, the atmosphere in my room lifted, my mood changed. Jesus was present, wooing me with His love and acceptance of me.
When we speak God’s Word our atmosphere changes, God’s Word becomes our literal shield and buckler to deflect all the darts of the enemy! Our responsibility is to speak it, declare it, decree it and then watch to see how the Lord works on our behalf.
In the middle of discouragement when our songs of praise fill the air, Jesus, the Living Word breathes life upon our waiting hearts. I am no longer as fearful in this valley as I have been speaking God’s Word and the law of His mouth is regenerating me, inspiring me and teaching me. His praise has filled me with peace.
Singing songs of praise was exactly what the Shepherd King did when he was discouraged and afraid. We need to teach ourselves that habit as well and be habitual about wearing it!
It is when we feel His breath and hear His Word that the Word is better than thousands of gold and silver pieces. We have to learn how to tap the source, drink from the Well ourselves and be intimate with our Lord. He is a generous sustainer.
Jesus wants to be close and intimate with us. He longs for us to feel the wind of His breath on our cheeks, the whisper of His word in our hearts.
My friend Amy King who writes at http://amygking.com/ is discovering with me, what is between the lines.
No amount of money could do such an amazing work in her heart so she meets her current situation so valiantly and victoriously.
No “thousands of gold and silver pieces” could sustain her heart, give her courage and peace to convey trust to her children, and encourage Kevin. She is speaking God’s Words into her atmosphere and God is at work in their lives, showing His glory and kindness. She has joy in the midst of painful circumstances.
I agree with Amy when she says it is healing to write. We are learning that in the writing there is a looking back. In the looking back, we see how much we have grown and changed, trusting God with our loved ones. There is a marveling at the depth and steadiness of the faith we possess…
Neither of us can tell you why cancer has touched our spouses. We can tell you, our hearts and voices in unison, we do know that in the looking back over the past months, the change in our hearts and steadiness of our faith is Amazing! Only God could do such work.
No amount of money could have fashioned that change in our hearts. No amount of money is able to strengthen us so we stand securely in faith. Nobody else’s revelations could have strengthened us the way the tender voice of Jesus does as He speaks to us.
The Treasure is in the Secret Place – His Word! Oh, and don’t you want to be like Jesus, acquiring a mastering of the Word of God, filling your heart with His Words so you are filled with the richness of His treasure?
Only the Word of God breathed upon our hearts brings to life that which is lying dormant. Only the Word of God shed abroad in our hearts will raise up the victorious warrior in us.
The Word of God is Living Water drawn from the well. The Word of God is the Rock in our slingshot. The Word of God is the fire in our belly. The Word of God is the hammer that knocks things securely in place. The Word of God is the claw hammer that reaches way in and withdraws what is useless and messy.
The claw hammer is working in my heart pulling out mangled nails. God’s Word, right thinking, with nails shot in straight as an arrow are filling the holes in my heart.
The Word of God is our hedge of protection.
The Treasure is in the secret place – His Word! Will you make the time to fill your heart with treasure beyond measure?
*artwork, mine!
