Psalm 119: 97 – 105 NLT
Mem
97 Oh, how I love your instructions!
I think about them all day long.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are my constant guide.
99 Yes, I have more insight than my teachers,
for I am always thinking of your laws.
100 I am even wiser than my elders,
for I have kept your commandments.
101 I have refused to walk on any evil path,
so that I may remain obedient to your word.
102 I haven’t turned away from your regulations,
for you have taught me well.
103 How sweet your words taste to me;
they are sweeter than honey.
104 Your commandments give me understanding;
no wonder I hate every false way of life.
Nun
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.
Want to be smart? Well, the writer of Psalm 119 has some advice. Knowing God’s laws have made him smarter than his enemies, his teachers, and his elders. That is actually quite amazing.
As I look back over my life, can I say that I’m smarter than many of my teachers, my university professors, the administration of the Board of Education, my bosses in my various jobs? Can I say I was smarter than many of the older people who’ve given me advice over my life? Can I say I was smarter than those difficult people who’ve crossed my path who have been very successful financially and in positions of power?
If we’re talking about IQ, then likely not. Science News for Students, a computer website says, “IQ, short for intelligence quotient, is a measure of a person’s reasoning ability. In short, it is supposed to gauge how well someone can use information and logic to answer questions or make predictions. IQ tests begin to assess this by measuring short- and long-term memory. They also measure how well people can solve puzzles and recall information they’ve heard — and how quickly.” I wouldn’t want an IQ test these days. I suspect my IQ has taken a dive over my life-span.
But, I don’t think the psalmist was talking about high intelligence when he wrote those verses. He was talking about living well, living wisely with insight, making good decisions. Where do we get that? “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (v. 105) Honestly, do you believe that meditating on what God says will give you the wisdom you need to live well?
“How sweet your words taste to me;
they are sweeter than honey.
Your commandments give me understanding;
no wonder I hate every false way of life.” (v. 103 – 104)
Think about that. Maybe it’s time to get to know our Bibles well, to take God’s instructions seriously. With God’s help, living by his words just might make my life very special.
Our song for today is Word of God Speak by MercyMe.