“My Joy”

 

 

 

[Psalm 119:89-96]

 

 

What is your joy? Especially when you are in the midst of suffering, what is your joy? In today’s Bible passage, Psalm 119:92, the psalmist confesses: "If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction." Today, based on this verse, I would like to reflect on the title "My Joy" — what we should delight in, how we should delight in it, and what the result of that joy is. May we receive God's grace as we meditate on these points.

First, what is “my joy”?

The psalmist's joy was in "the law of the Lord" (v. 92). Even in the midst of his affliction, he delighted in the law of the Lord (v. 92). Therefore, he says, “I will never forget your precepts” (v. 93).

Second, what should we do to delight in “the law of the Lord”?

  1. The psalmist says that to delight in the law of the Lord, we must 'think' about it.

Look at Psalm 119:95: “The wicked wait for me to destroy me, but I will consider your testimonies.” When the wicked were watching to destroy him, the psalmist diligently thought about the law of the Lord. In other words, when he encountered a crisis in his life, he diligently meditated on God’s Word. Why did he do this? Because that word “gives me life” (v. 93). This should become our habit. In times of crisis, we should cultivate the habit of meditating even more diligently on God’s Word.

  1. The psalmist says that to delight in the law of the Lord, we must 'seek' it.

Look at Psalm 119:94: “I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts.” To delight in the law of the Lord, the psalmist sought it. And the reason he sought the Lord’s law was because he hoped in the Lord’s salvation. A true believer places their hope in God’s Word, so they do not forget it and continue to seek it (vv. 93-94). In times of suffering, our hope can only be in the Lord. We can only hope in His Word during our trials. Also, the only thing that can save us from suffering is God’s Word.

Finally, what was the result of thinking about and seeking the Lord's law?

The result of the psalmist thinking about and seeking the Lord's law can be understood in two ways:

  1. The psalmist, by thinking about and seeking the Lord's law, came to see how vast the Lord's commandments are.
    Look at Psalm 119:96: "I have seen that everything perfect has an end, but your commandment is exceedingly broad." By thinking about and seeking the Lord's law in his affliction, the psalmist experienced the transforming power of God's word in his life. Therefore, suffering becomes a good opportunity to expand our hearts with the vast word of the Lord.

  2. The psalmist confessed that the Lord's word stands firm forever in the heavens.
    Look at Psalm 119:89: "O Lord, your word is firmly established in the heavens forever." Suffering is temporary, but God's word is eternal. With this eternal word, God governs the heavens, the earth, and all of creation. By thinking about and seeking the Lord's law in his affliction, the psalmist came to realize this truth.

We must delight in God's word. God's word should be "my delight." Therefore, we must diligently think about God's word. Especially when we are in a crisis, we should think even more about God's word. Why? Because only God's word can give us life. We must also seek God's word. Especially in times of tribulation and persecution, we must seek God's word. Why? Because we are looking for God's salvation. Those who long for God's deliverance must earnestly seek His word. As a result, we will see how vast God's word is. Through the power of God's word, we will experience the precious grace of expanding our hearts. And by thinking about and seeking God's word, we will enjoy the grace of being firmly established on God's eternal word.

 

 

 

After seeking and thinking about Jesus, who is my joy...

 

 

Pastor James Kim's Sharing
(Delighting in the meditation of God's word)