Often I'll turn the radio on while I make my breakfast, and usually Dr. Stephen Davey's program, Wisdom for the Heart, is on at that time.
One day last week, Dr. Davey was speaking from Psalm 19. It's a familiar passage to many of us. It starts with "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above [firmament in the KJV] proclaims his handiwork," and then goes on to develop that theme for the next several verses.
The last half of the psalm talks about how God's character is seen through His Word. Verse 7 starts off another familiar passage: "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. . . " Perhaps you remember, as I do, a song made of these words.
The passage is so familiar, in fact, that it's easy to zip right through it without stopping to take it in.
But Dr. Davey pointed out something that stopped me in my tracks.
The latter half of verse 7 says, "The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple."
Dr. Davey said:
This is legal language; whenever someone is called into court by the prosecution or defense, they give their testimony. They testify to what they know – what they've seen – what they've heard.
David writes in legal terminology – God is testifying . . . and whatever and whenever He does, David writes here, The testimony of the Lord is sure.
In other words, you can count on it. One author* wrote, "You can throw your weight on God's testimony and it will hold up."
You can throw your whole weight on God's testimony.
Does that impact you like it does me?
It's not that this truth was new to me. But hearing it put that way brought my understanding to a whole new level.
God's Word is sure. It's trustworthy. We can stake the whole weight of our souls on it.
BibleStudyTools.org says the Hebrew word translated "sure" here means "to support, confirm, be faithful; made firm, sure, lasting; verified; reliable, faithful, trusty ."
What God tells us about Himself, the world, and ourselves is dependable.
His promises won't break when we lean on them. That doesn't mean all our prayers will be answered just the way we hoped, or that life will have a fairy-tale ending. But when He tells us who He is and that He will be with us and take care of us, we can rely on His Word without worry.
I did not grow up in areas where ponds freeze over. But I am familiar with the concept of testing the ice to make sure it's solid before walking or skating on it. And I have stepped on a bridge, fallen log, or even a piece of flooring and felt it give, wondering if it would hold my weight.
But we'll never have that experience with God's Word. It is sure.
Is there a passage you're staking your soul on today?
* Donald Williams, Mastering the Old Testament: Psalms 1-72 (Word Publishing, 1986), p. 153), quoted in Psalm 19:7-9) God's Inspired Little Book by Stephen Davey on the Wisdom for the Heart Radio Broadcast, 1/22/2024.
(I often link up with some of these bloggers.)
No comments:
Post a Comment