“The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart.”
The Word of the LORD continues to unfold itself as the answer to all we need in every dimension of life! I am constantly amazed at what I read. This verse is very precious and we will only do the first half in this post.
The word “statutes” or “precepts” as some translations have it means something that is properly appointed, or a mandate of God hence may well be translated “commandment” also. This entire section of the Psalm is telling us about the joys of the Word using various words to let us know the author is talking about the same thing over and over again.
Here this utterance from God is right or “upright” or “straight”. He is not duplicitous in any way, but is a “straight shooter” we would say out West. What He says is right, always right and never ever wrong in any form at all. Nor does He lead in any way other than ways of goodness and life.
This “right” word causes the “heart” or inner man of heart, will and emotion to possess great joy or in this case “happiness.” This is really worth pondering (or meditating upon). The utterances of God cause our inner person to have great joy or happiness.
The secret for the believer to have a happy life full of joy is to have the Word of God in them all the time. To think on it, to ponder it, to trust in the one who is saying it – our God speaking to us. How can words on a page do that? Simply because they are not just words on a page, but instead they are the very breath of God given to us for life and joy and peace in the Lord Jesus!
I am reminded of Ephesians 3:14-19,
“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height– to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.“
Yes, yes and yes. Lord may we treasure Your Word so deeply that Your well of abundant life deposited deeply within our inner person will rise in joy and receive in love all You have spoken for us to treasure. Thank You that Your Person and Your Voice are the source of our ability to possess and give away joy.
To my Readers: All passages from NKJV. Also, I just wanted to share one more iris with you. Thanks so for reading and for being such a blessing in my life.
Mannaword 