Thoughts for the Day

I rejoice at your word
like one who finds great spoil.
I hate and abhor falsehood,
but I love your law.
Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous ordinances.
Great peace have those who love your law;
nothing can make them stumble.
I hope for your salvation, O Lord,
and I fulfill your commandments.
My soul keeps your decrees;
I love them exceedingly.
I keep your precepts and decrees,
for all my ways are before you.

Let my cry come before you, O Lord;
give me understanding according to your word.
Let my supplication come before you;
deliver me according to your promise.
My lips will pour forth praise,
because you teach me your statutes.
My tongue will sing of your promise,
for all your commandments are right.
Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
I long for your salvation, O Lord,
and your law is my delight.
Let me live that I may praise you,
and let your ordinances help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep;
seek out your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

'Rejoice' is a big word, saved for times of national thanksgiving, as at the end of World War 2 when King George VI in a speech to the British nation "rejoiced that peace had returned to Europe". He was to use this word again on VJ day three months later. Sometimes it's used when a person comes to the end of cancer treatment and rejoices with family and hospital staff at being clear of the disease by the ringing of a bell. It's not a word used lightly, and so when that mightiest of Psalms, number 119 says: "I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil" we should take it seriously.

To the psalmist, God's word as found in the scriptures, is like a treasure trove that has been discarded. He rejoices at what he finds; here is hope for salvation; the Lord will listen to one who studies His word; and will rescue those who delight in His laws. We may wonder how many times He can find a new word for "law" or "commandment" but we cannot ignore his sheer joy at studying the scriptures and through them in praising God.

As Christians how much more do we rejoice that God sent His Son to be born as a man, to save us from the bonds of sin. John in his Gospel even calls Him 'The Word', saying 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.' (John 1.1). Through His Holy Spirit Jesus Christ teaches, admonishes, and guides us, and in gratitude we rejoice at His work and praise Him each day.

Father-God,
we rejoice in in Your word
as found in the scriptures,
that brought us news of Your prophets
who saw the coming of the Messiah.
We rejoice in Your word
as found in the scriptures,
that teaches us about Your Son, Jesus.
who came to save us.
We rejoice in Your word
as found in the scriptures,
that guides us through Your Spirit.
Amen.