Removing the Dross
Psalm 119: 65-72
Verses 71-72 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn Your decrees. The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
We talked about how slander can drive us closer to God and His laws but the psalmist goes as far as praising God for the affliction so he could learn the law.
We mentioned the other day that the song writer saw the affliction as a reason to praise the Lord. He completes this stanza with another round of praise. He praises God for the affliction that caused him to look into the law more deeply. This man of song sees the eternal benefits of being put through the fire. He knows that it is through the fires that the impurities of precious metals are able to be removed and it is the afflictions of life that burn away the impurities in our spiritual life.
Silver and gold are valuable but they increase in value the purer they are. The psalmist says that the law God has given is more precious than silver or gold, why then is there not more people seeking after it? Why aren’t there more people of the Church searching it and allowing it to purify their lives? Shouldn’t we be wanting to be as pure as possible?
The psalmist must have seen some of this purification in his own life or he wouldn’t see it as a reason for praise. The law was given to bring God’s people through their daily lives. God had given His law so that others would see that His people were different than the average person. This was to be a drawing card as people would see that His followers were different and therefore He must be different.
The psalmist says that this law is more precious than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. The law is of great value and should be sought after by all Christians in its purest form. This law should be written on our lives much in the same way that a bride displays her engagement ring. It speaks of her being spoken for and cherished. She treasures it and keeps it looking as shiny as possible so that it can be noticed by others. It is the mark of whose she is. We should be seeking the purest of law in our lives so that we can show Whose we are. We are His, let’s shine for Him.
Making It Personal
How difficult is it for you to praise God for the struggles in life? Does knowing that He is using them to draw you close to Him, help you struggle through better? In what ways can you shine for Him today?
Making It Personal Kids
Is it hard to praise Jesus for the hard times in life? How does living like Jesus wants you to, help you shine for Him? What can you praise Jesus about today?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for purifying and polishing us with Your law. Give us a growing desire to shine only for You through living Your pure commands. In Jesus’ name, amen.