Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees. (Ps. 119:33)
God gave a specific instruction to every Jewish king. There is no way to know whether every king followed or delegated that responsibility, and undoubtedly some may have ignored God’s directive altogether, but the command was very clear. God said in Deuteronomy 17:18–19 that without exception, upon taking office, the monarch was to handwrite a copy of the law of God and to read it all the days of his life. If a king followed this directive, the consequence would be that the king would learn to revere God and would rule justly, rightly, and humbly.
It is within this context that we read Psalm 119, historically attributed to King David. There is no doubt in my mind that David, as the second king of Israel, would have done exactly what God had told the new king to do. David would have personally written out the entire law of God and been keenly aware of what it said. But in Psalm 119 we see David asking God for an even richer understanding and appreciation of God’s holy decrees.
How much more today do we need spiritual leaders who both know God’s Word and have an increasing desire to be totally aligned with his will and ways? May his words be like honey on our lips (see Ps. 119:103).
Spend some time pondering the importance and applications of his Word.
Stephen Elliott serves as national superintendent of The Wesleyan Church of Canada and part-time teacher at Kingswood University. He is a happy grandfather of four girls.
© 2019 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
