Knowing God • Psalm 119:17-24
By Bobby McKay
Who is the most famous person you’ve met? Was it by chance or did you set aside time or money to make the encounter take place?
We picked up the theme of spiritual disciplines last week in our study together. The purpose of the spiritual disciplines is to help us grow deeper in our love and obedience to Christ. The more we are growing in the image of Jesus, the greater our impact for Him we can make.
This lost world is in critical need of salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16) and we are the ones Christ has called to be His representatives.
You and I may have met movie stars, famous singers, or athletes, but the only redeeming relationship we have is the one we have with God. Knowing God is the greatest blessing and privilege anyone can have.
How can a finite human being know, and even begin to understand, the all-knowing and holy God? The answer is in the word, “revelation.” Everything you know, understand, or can comprehend concerning God is because He chose to make it known to you. He is not a riddle to be figured out or a problem you can solve.
Someone once asked a prominent theologian about the greatest and deepest truth he had learned about God. He replied, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” Yes, even the love of Christ about which we sing as children is only real to us as God chooses to reveal it.
God can reveal Himself in several ways. It could be in nature, the words of fellow believers, during a time of worship, or even the circumstances in which we find ourselves. While each of these avenues is a possibility, none can replace the Word of God.
In this day and age of text messaging, young people and older folks alike have lost the art of writing letters or cards to the object of their affection. With handwritten words, there is a power and intimacy few other communication methods can match.
Psalm 119 is one of the most important sections of Scripture in terms of the priority of God’s words to us. It is divided into 22 different sections. You will probably see in your Bible a Hebrew symbol or letter that precedes each section. Each section has eight verses. The Hebrew alphabet has 22 letters, so it should remind us to love and appreciate God’s word from “A to Z.”
When we discipline ourselves to read and study God’s Word, we will begin to see our time with Him as an opportunity, not an obligation. The opportunity of which I speak is one of encouragement, comfort, and even challenge. The Word of God will both convict and compel us.
With so much that can be said about the Bible, the problem is some people only talk about it and don’t appreciate it for what it is. Some make a particular translation their soapbox; some allow an inconsequential point of preference to dictate their entire doctrine. Others do not take the time to know the context, and twist Scripture to fit a particular narrative or political view.
All the while, the truths of God are neglected and we forfeit our intimacy with the Father.
While the purpose of God’s Word is to reveal Himself to us, it also has a projection. The Scripture intends that we will obey its precepts. As we grow closer to God, we should desire to obey Him more. The Word of God is trustworthy and gives us confidence in a world increasingly against the holiness and teachings of Jesus.
No matter how bad things seem in the world or in your own life, Scripture reminds us of how good God is. Psalm 119:24 lays out the therapeutic power in the commands of God. When we cultivate the discipline and practice of Bible study, we are better equipped to make godly decisions and minister to others who may need direction. Biblical meditation and focus will change our perspective and how we respond in times of adversity.
I can’t remember a time when our nation has been more divided. Unfortunately, the church has mirrored this same environment. The devil has done a notable job of causing dissension in the church body due to the political leanings and differences among brothers and sisters in Christ. It is a matter of losing focus. Scripture brings us back to what really matters. It has been said there are only two things that are eternal: the Word of God and the souls of people. Let us strive to give priority to these two areas. It requires discipline, but is needed. Turn off the television and turn to His Word.
McKay is pastor of Pleasant Grove Church, Brookhaven.
