"Better than Gold" March 11 Readings: Psalm 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, 21

 

Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2022

This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened." Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but I have divided it so that we will spend half the year in the OT, and half the year in the NT. 

Bible Readings:   Psalm 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, 21

Background:   

Several of these Psalms are addressed to the choir director or some other official, showing that no longer is David a refugee hiding in the wilderness calling out for God to protect him from his foes, but now he is the king who is in charge of the official worship of Israel.

Daily Devotional: Better than Gold 

I am waiting patiently for the HGTV Dream Home Sweepstakes people to show up and award me my new luxury home. This one is a lovely mountain home in Vermont, one of about 6 states I've never been to. There have been Green Homes and Smart Homes all over the country that I have entered to win. It would be so cool to have someone show up at my door with the keys to a Dream Home, or a big check (from whoever took over at PCH from Ed McMahon) or something like that. 

Hope springs eternal...

But the Bible makes something clear that we often forget. True riches do not have a price tag. Those things that really matter are not the material things of this world - 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. 

More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the 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 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 greater 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. 

The law of the Lord is perfect, 
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
⁸ the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
⁹ the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.

The best thing you can receive in this world is an understanding of God's Word. When you inculcate its principles into your life, it is better than winning the HGTV Dream Home Sweepstakes!  

Father, forgive me for those times that I have ignored your precious and powerful Word. When I have obeyed your words I have been blessed. I thank you for revealing Yourself in the pages of the Bible. May I gain life's greatest treasure - the knowledge of you through your Word. 

Consider God's Word:

Does your life demonstrate that you view the word of God as a treasure?