Mar 7 - Delight in God's Word

Read Psalm 119:9-16

Context: This psalm is an acrostic in the original Hebrew language -- every stanza begins with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet and is focused on God's word. According to the NIV Study Bible, it is believed that this was written by someone who was exiled to Babylon. He (or she? doubtful) was obviously passionate about God's word.

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, O LORD;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

I find it hard to imagine that someone would delight in the multitude of laws that are written in the Old Testament. I'm trying to read through the Bible this year, and when I got to Leviticus I stalled for a while. The laws seem so restrictive -- they governed every move an Israelite made.

Praise God that we are not under the law -- His grace has freed us from that. I want to delight in His words about salvation! That seems like a much easier thing to do.