February 11, 2020--Psalm 119:111--Privileged position of joy

Your testimonies are my heritage forever,

for they are the joy of my heart.

Psalm 119:111 English Standard Version

Joy becomes part of one’s heritage. My mother (now in her eighties) still speaks of her mom who used to go into their neighbourhood and sing hymns. From what I remember of mom’s stories, my grandmother would go and play the organ and sing hymns of her faith, evangelizing neighbours. My mom would join her. While I was growing up, my mom in turn often played piano at old age homes, aiding those preaching or leading worship. Other times mom would be playing, going on her own, so that the residents would be blessed.

For the writer of this psalm the testimonies of the LORD are his heritage. Testimonies are what God has declared to be his will—for example Jesus declared: “If you love Me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). What about John 5:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.”

So much of our living instills boredom. There are only so many social media posts you can stand. There are only so many episodes you can binge-watch. The longer you watch, the more lethargic you become. The mind becomes numb and the body lazy. What a sharp contrast to the glories of drinking the word of the LORD.

In verse 24 the testimonies of the LORD are named as a delight. Here the testimonies are a joy. Obedience to all the LORD solemnly declares to be His will requires activity in our part. We will digest the word of God. We will obey it with thank-filled enthusiasm. We will praise God with humility for the forgiveness of our sins. In Christ we are called holy sons and daughters of God. In awe of this truth we train our children in this great joy. We have the vision that our children, and grand-children and great-grandchildren, will walk in His will and His ways. We go to our knees and pray:

Sovereign of Heaven and Earth all Your ways are perfect. You have given us the privileged position of knowing Who You Are. Spirit of God, we plead with You that our children and grandchildren will walk in the heritage of God’s grace. We pray, Spirit of Truth, let our faith and joy in Jesus be contagious. Forgive us, Father for the times we have had grudging obedience and surly attitudes. Renew in us a deep and abiding joy anchored in Jesus; joy that wells up from His word and flows in us and through us. Jesus we believe in You and therefore we believe in the Father Who sent You. Jesus we believe, send Your Spirit to accomplish in us all You promised. Amen.