Psalm 119:111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
    they are the joy of my heart.

Verse 11 and verse 105 are the most famous in this longest chapter in the Bible, and reasonably so, but we should not let the familiar keep us from noticing other facets of God’s truth. This verse strikes me because, properly understood, it should allow any believer to live in peace and joy. The whole Psalm is about the Word of the Lord, particularly as expressed in the Torah. Since every verse, all 176 of them, references that, the Psalmist used a number of words as synonyms, and translators have been equally varied in how they have expressed each of those synonyms. The point to remember, however, is that all of them point to the same thing: what God has said and is saying to us. In this verse, the Psalmist is claiming God’s Word as his eternal heritage. That means it can never be taken away from him for all eternity. That’s a pretty amazing statement, but it’s true for everyone who genuinely believes, in all humility. When we grasp that, then God’s Word indeed becomes the joy of our heart, whatever is going on around us. That doesn’t mean “easy street;” Jesus clearly said that in this world we will have trouble, (John 16:33) and sometimes that trouble threatens to tear us apart. However, if we let the Word of the Lord fill our heart, we can have peace and even joy in spite of it all. After all, Jesus also said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Luke 21:33) That’s repeated in all three synoptic Gospels! When we truly grasp that we have an eternal heritage, the mess of this transient world won’t shake us.

I was incredibly blessed to be raised in a home where God’s Word faith in it were absolutely foundational. I commented in the message this past Sunday that the best thing about having been raised a Baptist was their focus on the Bible. I am continuing to grow in my application of it, because just like Paul, I won’t be perfect on this earth. (Philippians 3:12-14) It is a joy to teach the Bible, because as many have noted, one of the best ways to learn something is to teach it to others. At this point the Lord is preparing me for a broader teaching ministry, and I am to be faithful and diligent, not taking anything for granted. As familiar as I am with the Bible, the temptation is to wing it, whatever I’m asked to teach on, but that is hubris. God’s Word is my eternal heritage, but I must never treat it lightly! That said, the study that is called for is no burden, but rather a privilege and joy.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for sharpening my focus in various ways. Help me truly be the tool, the servant that You desire, so that Your will may be accomplished in and through me for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!