Articles
The Benefits of God’s Word
The Benefits of God’s Word
Greg King
The apostle Paul told Timothy in his second letter “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (3:16-17)
David certainly spoke of its benefit in the 119th Psalm. He acknowledges that the word of God will give usunderstanding. “From Your precepts I get understanding …” says David in v.104. David is going to speak of three things made possible by the Word of God. I think it is important to remember that David did not attend an Ivy League college. As a young shepherd boy, formal education would have been meager at best. So, how did David acquire the knowledge and wisdom to lead a nation? The word of God!
He says that the word of God makes us wiser than our enemies (v. 98). Think of how many times David outwitted his enemies. Especially when he was on the run from Saul The word of God is a great aid in our spiritual battle because we are plugged into the source of all wisdom. When we are plugged in to the word of God it’s not as easy for Satan to take advantage of us, surprise us, or sneak up on us. By keeping the commandments, we preserve in ourselves the peace of God.
David says the word of God will give us more insight than our teachers (v. 99).
By continually giving himself over to the Word of God, David grew spiritually to surpass those who had been his teachers.
David says that the word of God will keep us from evil (v. 101). “I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word.” The word of God provided David with restraints and limitations that kept his feet from sin and evil. God’s Word kept David from the evil way.
David says the word of God will keep us from violating God’s will (v. 102). “I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, For You Yourself have taught me. We cannot know what God likes or dislikes unless He reveals that to us. The only place where God reveals His will is in His Word the Bible. Romans 7:7 states, “What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, "YOU SHALL NOT COVET." If I know the will of God, love God, and love myself, I should be disciplined and guided by that Word.
Are you experiencing the benefits of God’s word?
