Light Brings Salt
Volume 2, Issue 31 August 22, 2004
Dedicated to the
Systematic Exposition of the Word of God
Sufficiency of the
Word
(Psalm 19:7-9)
One of the things that you must have straight, must have a solid
handle on as a Believer is that what we have before us in this book is in fact
the Word of God, must be a given, a settled understanding.
For one who stands in the dock for God and teaches that Word it must
be our ever present focus and motivator. As Joe pew, as you live your life,
daily your going to face many situations that are going to challenge the
viewpoint expressed by the Word that we have learned. Our response in that test
is critical and it determines whether we will become a spiritual casualty or
not, become side tracked, or pressing on toward the goal.
The Word of God makes a claim for it self that we must not ever loose track of
as believers and especially as Pastors. That is that the God-breathed
Scriptures are sufficient for our lives today.
And if this is true as I believe it is, then
we as Pastors must be rock solid in the focus of our ministry. The Word not gimmicks. Paul
affirms this in 2 Tim 3:16-17. All scripture profitable ...... adequate..... equipped for every good work. So that we are able to be all
that God desires of us in life, to be spiritually well balanced.
Peter in 2 Pet 1:3 made a very
strong statement relating to our provision in Christ. That the means of realizing that provision in
our lives is related to something concrete,
"through the true knowledge of
Him who called us". He
relates it back to knowing scripture, knowing God's revelation.
One of the clearest statements of the sufficiency of scripture is in
Psalm 19:7-14. Question?? Are we attempting to use
cheap substitutes in place of what God has already provided? This passage I believe counters all the
attempts to use something other than Word as the framework for one's life as a
believer or to establish the parameters for the viewpoint or thinking upon
which we base our lives.
What is subtly being said today is that we need
human viewpoint solutions like psychology to augment what the Word teaches.
This is becoming the norm today. This passage tells us that as believers this
is not to be the case, the pattern for our life.
In vs:7-9 we have 6
statements describing Scripture; each is
related to being from the source of YHWH, the source of the Word.
In this context we have 6 synonyms for the Word of God.
1. the law of the Lord
2. the testimony of the Lord
3. the precepts of the Lord
4. the commandments of the Lord
5. "the fear of the Lord"
6. the judgments of the Lord
Each of these statements not only gives us a characteristic of the Word, but it also describes for us the effect or benefit the Word is to have in our
lives. The last one in vs:9 actually gives us 2
characteristics without an effect [true
and righteous].
All of this is true to the one who takes not only God but His word
seriously and uses
it s the foundation of their life. These are axiomatic statements of fact, of
truth, (Hebrew nominal sentences, no verbs).
1. 19:7a The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul.
The word for law here is torah, hr'AT emphasizes
the teaching and instruction that comes from the Word of God.
Here I would take it that David is referring to Scripture as the sum
of what God has revealed for our instruction, for our teaching.
The word "perfect"
is tamiym; ~ymiT' (adj.) basically
means to be whole, complete, sufficient. What is David saying
then? That Scripture is complete, it's comprehensive
and therefore embodies all that we need as believers to live the life that God
expects. Actually stronger than that, that Scripture commands us!
David's statement here in Psa 19 stands in
contrast with the imperfect, insufficient, flawed reasoning of man, the human
viewpoint of the day.
Next the effect of this perfect complete sufficient instruction is "restoring the soul" (bWv) which means to bring back, to restore, to refresh. The idea is to be going in one direction and to
totally turn around and go in the opposite direction. The focus here is the
soul, nephesh vp,n<, here
with the emphasis on the whole person, and therefore the life of the
individual.
David then is saying that the Word of God, Scripture, is so powerful
and comprehensive that it can turn one's life, transform the entire person;
putting them precisely in the direction that God desires.
2. 19:7b Scripture is Trustworthy, Imparting Wisdom.
"The testimony of the
Lord is sure, making wise the simple." Testimony (hd'[e) speaks of Scripture as being a divine witness. A declaration of the will of
God. This brings into focus absolutes. We must recognize that God is the
source of absolutes. The word reminds us
that His testimony is unwavering, immovable, unmistakable, reliable and worthy
to be trusted. It provides a foundation
on which to build our lives, now and for eternity.
What is more sure to you, the word of God? His testimony? Or the experience that you have had. Which is
more real to you? Peter makes a very valuable observation that speaks to this
issue in 2 Pet 1:19. Context here is
crucial and reflects back on a tremendous experience He had with our Lord. Mount
of transfiguration.(Mk 9:1-8) What Peter does here is to affirm very strongly
that the testimony of God's word is a surer and more convincing confirmation of
God's truth than what he had personally witnessed and heard, that is his
experience with Christ.
What do we have today? Its in vogue even
within many churches to focus on some experience we've had, and many cite some
mystical experience as a validation of who they are and what their doing. Peter had a real-life encounter with Christ
in all of His glory on the mount. It was real and yet he stands in stark
contrast to those today who are advocating miracles, (signs and wonders) as the
necessary proof of God's power and presence.
Peter says I saw, I heard, but I look to Scripture as a higher and
more trustworthy authority than even such a dramatic and real experience. The
Word then is a more trustworthy and sound focus of faith.
God's sure word has the effect of making wise the simple! The word simple speaks of the naïve. One
who does not have the skill to discern that which is false or harmful. That is they are undiscerning, ignorant, and
therefore gullible. But knowing God's Word will cause the naive to be wise. Don't
mistake this for facts, to have a knowledge of facts.
The word is chakam (hiph ptc) and it emphasizes what is
practical, it deals with revealed principles of what is right and wrong that is
to be lived out in ones life. Therefore the word will cause you to be skillful
in the art of Godly living.
3. Scripture is right, causing
joy. 19:8a.
The precepts of the Lord are
right, rejoicing the heart. Precepts
brings into focus the fact that God is the definer of duty. The principles, the guidelines for character and conduct. (piqqudim) It stands to reason I believe that since God
is our creator, then He knows how we are to live in order to be productive for
His glory. These precepts from the Lord
are right, they're straight, upright, correct. Its
more than just indicating what is right as over against what is wrong. We have
an idiom, Give it to me straight! God through His word is giving it to us
straight as to what is in our best interest for life.
Scripture gives us the proper path through the difficult maze of life and
will give us great confidence in life regardless of the circumstances. Too many
people today are distressed or despondent because they lack direction and
purpose in their lives. They continually seek answers from the wrong sources. God's
word not only provides the light for our path (119:105) but will set out the
route before us.
And what does it say will be the consequence of being on the right
path? What is the benefit for now? today? tomorrow? "rejoicing the heart" It brings us great joy when believed which speaks
of one's whole disposition is that of rejoicing and joy.
If we find ourselves depressed, anxious, fearful or doubting, we need
to learn to obey God's counsel and realize this joy. Don't fall into the trap
of chasing the current fads of self-esteem or whatever self-fulfillment gimmick is in vogue.
What this says here is to focus on divine truth and there you will find true
and lasting joy.
4. Scripture is Pure, Enlightening the eyes 19:8b.
The commandment
speaks not a series of suggestions to be taken lightly but are pure clear, lucid, not mystifying.
Must remember that Scripture is revelation from God, He's true and His word is
truth!
Benefit: In a world of spiritual and moral darkness it
says that the word enlightens the eyes
gives insight and guidance in life.
5. 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever.
The focus here is of the respect and
awe that we should have for God and His word. This takes us to His authority
which scripture ties to hearing the word Dt. 4:10. The use of clean speaks of the absence of impurity,
defilement, contamination, imperfection. What the word communicates is that the
word is absolutely undefiled and with out blemish.
Benefit: Scripture endures forever
vs:9a. Jesus said in Mark 13:31 "Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will not pass away."
There
is nothing out there that is as permanent as the Word of God! Nothing! It is
unchanging and therefore is relevant to all of us.
6. The judgments of the Lord
are true and righteous 19:9b.
119:138 You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness And
exceeding faithfulness.
119:142 Your righteousness is an everlasting
righteousness, And Your law is truth. The bottom line is that the Word
of God has been and will always be sufficient for our needs.