Words of Life

There is only one thing that kept me from being utterly devastated as I was experiencing this prolonged time of suffering . . .

The circumstances that were engulfing me came very close to destroying me. There was only one resource that saved me . . .

There is one reason–and one alone–for my coming through this emotional trauma instead of being completely overcome by it . . .

If Your law had not been my delight, Then I would have perished in my affliction.[1]

It would seem that all of them found the same answer–where? Your law. But what is the “law?” For you and for me as Believers, it means every word that God has spoken. Some of us are prone to put the Ten Commandments into a box, label it “The Law” and put it on a shelf. “There! That’s over and done with!” Not so. All of God’s Word, the Bible, represents the law and that same Bible interprets the law for us. Jesus did that. He took the Mosaic Law and all of His Words and tied them together carefully in one box with a beautiful golden grace ribbon–love: the whole law is fulfilled in one word–love . . .. [2]

When we are hurting, confused, and emotionally distraught or even panic stricken, we desperately seek someone who loves us to listen attentively and sympathetically to our dilemma and give us sound advice. We have this Someone in Jesus Christ. He has told us,” I don’t want you to go through this by yourself. Let’s sit down and talk it over. Let’s decide what the problem is and then you give it to Me and let Me handle it for you. I will do that for you because I love you.” [3] So we let Him talk to us through His Word and we find solace and peace and strength. In His Word we find all that we need!

This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me[4]

Your words were found and I ate them and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart

The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of gold and silver pieces

I have treasured the words of Your mouth more than my necessary food

How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth

The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever

My Bible is so marked up that it’s a “multi-colored” edition. But it’s great! For example, I can go to Isaiah and peruse the pages and there are my favorite verses–highlighted and underlined with red and circled and some with asterisks or even drawings! Those verses are mine! They are very special. Why? They have carried me through a lot of rough times and remind me how much He loves me, of His promises, or His words of wisdom. This is the “law” that nourishes me, comforts me, revives me, and sustains me. But wait! There’s more–incomprehensible, amazing, magnificent more!

And the Word became flesh and lived among us . . ..[5]

Thank You, precious Jesus.

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FOOTNOTES:

[1] Psalm 119:92

[2] Romans 13: 8, 10; Galatians 5:14

[3] Deuteronomy 32:8; Isaiah 1:18; Psalm 55:22; I Peter 5:7

[4] Psalm 119:50; Jeremiah 15:16; Psalm 119:72; Job 23:12; Psalm 119:103; Isaiah 40:8

[5] John 1:14