GIMEL. Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word. Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law. I am a stranger in the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me. My soul breaks with longing for Your judgments at all times. You rebuke the proud – the cursed, who stray from Your commandments. Remove from me reproach and contempt, for I have kept Your testimonies. Princes also sit and speak against me, but Your servant meditates on Your statutes. Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.

What a blessing life in itself is, a blessing that the child of God understands should be spent in the service of God. If tomorrow is given to us, it comes from the exceeding bounty of God’s love and supply to us. Recall Solomon, after examining so many things that this life has to offer concluded, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). A life which is not devoted to keeping the commandments of God is a life which is being misused. How awful for us to waste the bountiful care of our heavenly Father on prodigal living, seeking to serve ourselves rather than Him and our fellow man.

The writer prays that his eyes might be opened to the wondrous things which can be found in the law of God. The Bible is like no other book. It is a wealth of knowledge that, once having dug into, we shall never cease to find precious jewels of wisdom hidden deeper and deeper. In mining operations, as men search the ground for various minerals and rocks, we know that eventually the search will end. Either the resources of the ground will run out, or, in some cases, the cost of removing that which is found will get so astronomical, that it is not worth the time, energy and money involved. The mine of the Scriptures is so different. The more immersed we get, the more we appreciate this endless resource. Each opportunity for study is cause for excitement, for there are amazing things contained in this book of God.

Though we have read a text before, with each new look, there are things which we missed the previous time, greater insight, better appreciation for the plan of God. But notice a few things which the writer indicates must be the case, if we are to experience with fullness the law of our God. First, our eyes must be open. The apostle Paul, wrote to the Corinthians about the supply of God’s word to man, and states, “...Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed the to us through His Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10). What an amazing thought, and a wonderful blessing. The Lord has reveals the things of His own mind (see verses 11-16) to us! Paul commands the Ephesians not to “...walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their minds, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their hearts...” (4:17-18). He goes on to tell us, “...you have not so learned Christ...” (v 20). Lord, open our eyes to your word, to the precious gems which you have planned for us from the foundation of the world. Never shall we walk in accordance with them so long as week keep our minds upon this earth, but let us “...seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth, for you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1-3).

Further to needing our eyes opened, we must make and maintain a solid confession, that we are strangers in the earth. Recall, that was the determined acknowledgment of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Hebrews 11:13), and thus, “...God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” (11:16). The apostle John candidly revealed, “...all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:16-17). Why then should we cling to this failing world? Shall we not rather turn to the Lord, and claim to be pilgrims in this age, seeking the homeland which God has prepared for the faithful?

If we appreciate the bounty of God’s care, have a mind to walk by faith and not by sight, and will openly and happily confess ourselves to be nothing but strangers to this present world, then see what will result:
"My soul breaks with longing for Your judgments at all times.”

Friends, we will have become addicted to the word of God! We will need to have our fill on the Scriptures each day, and if we should miss a dosage, it will pester our spirit worse than hunger pangs. There are so many things in this life that men break their souls over, but there is only one which is worthy of such fervent desire, the word of life. The commandments of the Lord are the food for the soul, the nourishment unto eternity. We are careful to get our fill of food day after day, knowing that our physical bodies need to be maintained with a healthy died. How much more diligent should we be to maintain a health diet of God’s word for our souls? We see from time to time the severe problem experienced in third world countries (and even at times in our own lands) of those who do not have food sufficient to keep the body healthy. Young children, nursing mothers, the elderly; each one suffering from malnourishment. Let me say to you friend, we live in a world of spiritual malnourishment on a much larger scale than the physical problems of these destitute lands. And how sad, when those who are the children of God, who have been supplied with such a great source of nutrition which will make us well unto eternity, choose not to sit down at the Lord’s feast for the soul. Let our souls break with longing for the judgments of God at all times.

In our society, pride is often encouraged, admired and rewarded. Understand though, to be proud before the Lord is to bring upon ourselves His stern rebuke, for we have classed ourselves among those who are cursed. Jesus said, “...when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’” (Luke 17:10). How sad then when one chooses to exalt himself before the Lord in pride. The Lord again said, “...whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11). Thus, the Psalmists asks that reproach and contempt be taken away from him, that he should not be ashamed before the Lord. If we will wholly keep His word, humbly seeking to serve Him, manifold blessings await.

Notice the boldness God will arm us with! Though the rulers of the lands sit and speak against us, we find strength in the meditation of God’s word. The apostle Paul stood before kings, being judged by them, and gave as his defense the message of Christ. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego were condemned to a fiery furnace, but their focus continually remained upon the Lord. It may be that our rulers will set themselves against us – against the Lord – but if we will contemplate His ways, and pattern our lives according to His will, we shall be secure.

This section closes with an admission of how wonderful the law of the Lord is to His followers. It is to us a delight – that is, it brings joy to our hearts. It is better than anything this passing world could offer us. In a world of many bad influences and wicked counsels, we have a counselor who is always true, which will always lead in the way of life – God’s own word!

Click here for this week's Answering The Atheist
Does God repent? Several passages tell us that God does not repent (Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29; Ezekiel 24:14; Malachi 3:6; James 1:7), and yet, so many more say that He does (Genesis 6:6; Exodus 32:14; Deuteronomy 32:36; 1 Samuel 15:11, 35; 24:16; 1 Chronicles 21:15; Jeremiah 15:6; 18:8; 26:3, 13, 19; 42:10; Amos 7:3, 6; Jonah 3:10). Is there a contradiction?