A new beginning with your Bible
The start of the new year means new beginnings for many (new year’s resolutions anyone?). While we might be well into the first month of the year, it’s never too late to start over again. It’s never too late to usher in a new beginning, especially if it’s a new beginning with your Bible.
Psalms 119 is the longest chapter in the book of Psalms (and in the whole Bible) and was believed to be written by King David to teach his son, Solomon, how to recite the Hebrew alphabet and the spiritual alphabet. The chapter is a praise of God’s word, overflowing with zeal and love for God’s law and instructions (otherwise known as the Torah). God’s word is often referred to as his law, precepts or even thoughts, which are alive and active (Hebrews 4:12). King David knew this and wanted to pass on this knowledge to Solomon to prepare him for his eventual reign.
While we’re no Solomon, we can look to Psalm 119 as inspiration to renew our relationship with God’s word. From this chapter, we learn there are three key things we must do to start afresh with our Bible.
Look to the Bible
Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.
Psalm 119:18 instructs us to open our eyes and see the wonder that is God’s law. As king of Israel, King David was required to rewrite God’s law on a scroll to carry around with him at all times, then read it over and over again to eventually memorise God’s words by heart. Jesus too, the King of all kings and the word incarnate, knew God’s words and consulted it in times of trouble (Matthew 4:1-11). Are we not also then required to look to God’s word in order to live our lives? The word will equip us for every challenge in life and the wonderful thing is is that the Bible is ready and accessible for us'; we just need to open our Bibles.
Learn from the Bible
The word of God has been around for thousands of years and as it held true back then, it holds true today and tomorrow, and all the years to come after. The Bible is the Christian’s source of truth and it’s our responsibility to feed ourselves spiritual truths (Matthew 4:4). Psalm 119:33 says,
Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.
What’s amazing is how we don’t need a Bachelors, Masters or PhD in Theology to read and learn from the Bible. We just need to be willing.
Live out the Bible
Now this is where it becomes difficult. While we may know our Bible back to front; finished the Bible in a Year devotional plan in the Youversion app; or are able to recite Bible verses at the drop of a hat; it’s not enough. Our hours of study and meditation amount to nothing if we don’t live out the words we read. Psalm 119:9 says,
How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
James 1:22 also says,
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
We have clear instruction to live out the word, not just know the word and merely claim the blessings that come with knowing Christ. In James 1:22 the word “listen” in it’s original Greek means to “audit”; to inspect or assess. While the BIble has been studied for the past thousands of years, it’s not just a textbook for us to read, inspect and assess. It’s a handbook or a guide to life that calls for our total submission because of the divine inspiration behind it: God.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the gift of your word. Thank you that is it only through the Holy Spirit - Advocate, comforter and truth giver - that we can understand and comprehend your laws and decrees. Father, help us to love your word and love living it out.
In Jesus’ mighty name,
Amen