7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. 11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

In this text there are two things that stand out. One is the descriptions given the word of God and the other is the result of studying this word. The way we perceive something determines how much time and effort we put into it. At times we begin to read a book and just cannot put it down while at other times we make ourselves pick it up and read. The difference is in how we perceive and how much we enjoy the book. But what makes a book interesting to us or what makes it dull and boring? It may be who has written the book or it may be the subject or it may be our own interest or our own knowledge or lack of knowledge. There are some subjects that are not riveting to study at first but the more we learn the more we become welded to it; the difference being our knowledge and not the book or the subject.

The author of the Bible is God, our father. This, in itself, should be reason enough for us to want to read and study it. But when we add to this the fact that God is not only our father but our designer and maker, we have every reason to want to know what he says to us about life and living it.

His word is perfect. That means that it fills every need we can possibly ever have. In its perfection, it provides peace and joy, it gives direction and purpose while instilling in us assurance and hope. So, why not study it more? Is it because we find it difficult to understand or uninteresting? The more we study it the more we begin to understand and then the more interesting it becomes. With more understanding comes an increased joy in study and learning what God has revealed to us. Are there some parts that are difficult to comprehend? Yes, but even these can be interesting to study. Someone has said that deep truths are just simple truths put together. We see this in other subjects such as math where we learn to add, subtract and then multiply and divide. We just need to learn the basics of God’s word.

O God, please help me to appreciate your word more. Give me the desire to study and the wisdom to understand. Increase my faith so that I will then put it into practice in my life on a daily basis. Lord, please help me to be an encouragement to others. Increase my love and compassion. In Jesus name.

May God bless each of us as we study and learn his will for us.