Better than Gold - January 3 Readings: Psalm 19

We are going to "enter the year with praise." Our January readings and devotionals will all focus on the goodness and grace of God. Get a journal or notebook to write down your thoughts every day. Our passages are shorter - please don't rush through them. Take time to meditate and consider why God is worthy of your praise.

Enter 2020 with the praise of God on your lips!

Today's Praise Passage:  Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour out speech;
night after night they communicate knowledge.
3 There is no speech; there are no words;
their voice is not heard.
4 Their message has gone out to the whole earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun.
5 It is like a bridegroom coming from his home;
it rejoices like an athlete running a course.
6 It rises from one end of the heavens
and circles to their other end;
nothing is hidden from its heat.
 7 The instruction of the Lord is perfect,
renewing one’s life;
the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy,
making the inexperienced wise.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
making the heart glad;
the command of the Lord is radiant,
making the eyes light up.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are reliable
and altogether righteous.
10 They are more desirable than gold—
than an abundance of pure gold;
and sweeter than honey
dripping from a honeycomb.
11 In addition, your servant is warned by them,
and in keeping them there is an abundant reward.
 12 Who perceives his unintentional sins?
Cleanse me from my hidden faults.
13 Moreover, keep your servant from willful sins;
do not let them rule me.
Then I will be blameless
and cleansed from blatant rebellion.
14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

Through the Bible Reading: Genesis 6-7, Matthew 3, Psalm 2:7-12, Proverbs 1:7

Some of our readers want a little more "meaty" devotional, so I am including a link to the through Through the Bible in One Year readings we did last year. 

Devotional: Better than Gold 

I am convinced that this will be the year I win the HGTV Dream Home Sweepstakes - I have been entering and dreaming for years. There have also been Smart Homes and Urban Oases, and assorted others. I keep hoping that the Publishers Clearinghouse folks will show up at my door with a giant check.  Hope springs eternal...

But God's word makes something clear. True wealth does not have a price tag attache. Those things that matter most are not material or physical - houses (even Dream Houses), cars, boats, jewelry or anything else. Proverbs is filled with assertions that its principles are more valuable than silver and gold. 

But in Psalm 19:10 David states clearly that there is something in this world more valuable than anything money can buy. 

They are more desirable than gold—

than an abundance of pure gold;
and sweeter than honey
dripping from a honeycomb.

Will you admit something? Gold is pretty desirable and honey is very sweet (and tasty). David admits this. He is just claiming that there is something that is more desirable than abundant gold and sweeter than honey right out of the comb. To what does he refer?

The blessings of the word of God!

In Psalm 19:1-6, David speaks of the glory of God seen in creation. Through the world God made we can see his awesome power, wisdom, and strength. God spoke and it came to be. I've been on top of mountains and I've gone scuba diving deep in the ocean. God's world is a wonder. 

But in verse 7, David turns his attention to the deeper revelation of God. The world tells us a little about God, but the Bible reveals everything we can know about God. Of course, David referred to that part of the Word that he had at the time - the Law. He used several synonyms for the Law in succeeding verses. Testimony. Precepts. Commandments. Rules. He describes how they bless the lives of those who hear them in verses 7-9. Read it and write down the ways that God's word blesses your life.

What a blessing it would be to win a Dream Home, or a check for millions of dollars, but the word of God is worth more than anything this world offers. Thank him today for the truth that leads you, guides you, rebukes you, encourages you, and reveals Jesus Christ to you. 

Father, your word is life's greatest treasure. Help me to give my life to the knowledge of you through your Word. 

Think and Pray:

Meditate on this passage and write down:

1. The character qualities of God for which you can praise him. 

2. The gracious acts of God for which you can give thanks to him. 

Thank God for his word.
Remember times when God through his word has blessed you with treasures "better than gold."