I enjoy a good run or being able to exercise with my wife, and I love that God has wonderfully made us body-soul beings. We are material and immaterial. We walk, work, see, touch, go, taste because of the physicality with which we were created. And, we think, dream, discern, judge, choose, want, love, delight, hate, bond, etc. because God has given us souls or what the Bible so often calls the “heart.”

Though there is a marvelous and mysterious interconnectedness of body and soul, the Bible, without discounting or denying the body, places the emphasis and priority on the soul. That’s why Jesus said that we “must be born again,” (Jn 3:3, 7) and why Paul wrote, “Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day” (2 Cor 4:16). We need this reminder of emphasis and priority because we live in a culture that worships the body. People all around us are driven by image, shape, health, and nutrition not so much as good stewards, but because of restless hearts and guilty consciences.

We need to hear the wisdom of Proverbs, “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot” (Pv 14:30). My paraphrase of this verse is, “A whole and contented heart is beneficial to the whole person, but a restless, unsatisfied heart will inevitably destroy the body.” Exercise and physical health is good, but it cannot give life to the soul. Only, the grace of God can heal our inner self (Eph 2:1-5). Like Augustine learned, our hearts can only find rest in God. For, only the blood of Jesus can cleanse our consciences (Heb 9:14), and only the Holy Spirit can make our hearts new and continue to make them new (Titus 3:5).

So, go ahead and enjoy being a good steward of your God-given physicality, but never forget that “while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8). May we not forget the priority of the soul.

“Keep your heart with all vigilance for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23

I am a  pastor that is blessed with a patient and understanding congregation. This last Sunday I put that patience to the test by attempting to preach on Psalm 119! Thankfully they passed the test, but I failed! With great kindness and patience they sat through about 50 minutes of teaching that contained 4 main points and 35 sub-points! Yes, you saw that right: 35 sub-points. (I told you they were patient and understanding!)

As you may imagine, I rushed way too fast on the last point with its 7 sub-points. So, (at a friend’s recommendation) I am going to use this post to attempt to clean up my mess and present (much more slowly) the last main heading of Sunday’s sermon: “Oh, How I Love Your Law!” (Psalm 119)

To guide our study of Psalm 119, I offered 4 questions to be considered: 1. What is God’s Word? (a definition); 2. What is God’s Word like? (a description); 3. What is God’s Word for?; and 4. What should be our response to God’s Word? (application). It is this fourth question that I want us to (re)consider.

According to Psalm 119, what should be our response to God’s Word?

1. We should delight in it--Listen to the psalmist’s delight, “In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.” (14); “I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” (16); “Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.” (111); and, “Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight.” (143)
2. We should desire it above all.
   1. Above a life of ease and comfort--”For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes” (83). “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes” (71).
   2. Above the acceptance and approval of men--”The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts.” (69); “They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.” (87)
   3. Above riches--”Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!” (36); “The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.” (72)
3. We should meditate on it--”I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.” (15); “...as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.” (78c); and “I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.” (99)
4. Trust it--”You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.” (114); “Your promise is well tried” (140); and “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words.” (147) The psalmist rests upon the well tried Word of God. He trusts it.
5. Savor it--”How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (103) God’s Word is to be experienced, tasted, savored!
6. Love it--Listen to how the psalmist gushes with longing love for God’s Word: “Oh how I love your law!” (97); “I hate the double-minded, but I love you law.” (113); “I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments.” (130); and “My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly.” (167)
7. Walk according to it--”Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!” (1-3) The blessed life is not found in or measured by success, money, health, or popularity, but in faithfulness to the Word of God.

May the Lord grant us grace in responding to his word!