Psalm 119: verses 41-48 (NIV)
May your unfailing love come to me, Lord,
your salvation, according to your promise;
then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
Never take your word of truth from my mouth,
for I have put my hope in your laws.
I will always obey your law,
for ever and ever.
I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.
I will speak of your statutes before kings
and will not be put to shame,
for I delight in your commands
because I love them.
I reach out for your commands, which I love,
that I may meditate on your decrees.
1 Peter Chapter 3: Verse 15 (NIV)
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
This whole portion of Psalm 119 spoke to me today. It shows the importance of staying close to the Lord and taking the time to read and apply what we learn from the Bible. We are blessed today in the west to have access to it in all different ways, so we really are without excuse.
Yes, there are times we will be taunted for our faith, but like the Psalmist we can trust in God and even in those situations, He will never let us down. We can walk in freedom because we have put our trust in Jesus as we have been taught from the Bible. As God’s children we should be able to stand on the Word of God, and be able to speak of it to anyone, though we might not get a personal audience with King Charles. However, its for that reason that King Charles, and Queen Elizabeth before him, were presented with a Bible at their coronations.
The Moderator of the Church of Scotland presented the Bible to the king with these words;
“Sir: to keep you ever mindful of the law and the Gospel of God as the Rule for the whole life and government of Christian Princes, receive this Book, the most valuable thing that this world affords. Here is Wisdom; This is the royal Law; These are the lively Oracles of God.”
The words were true for him to hear, but they apply equally to us too. But when we speak we should also be mindful of the words of Peter – we should do so with gentleness and respect.
Dear Lord,
I’m grateful for the freedom of access I enjoy to Your Word. May I always make time to spend time with it and meditate and delight in its truth. More importantly, may I act on what I read and learn. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.