Psalm 119:71-72 - It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes. The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Many people hope to find a "get-rich-quick" scheme. Some people will line up and wait for hours to buy a lottery ticket. And who knows? Maybe that piece of antique furniture in the garage is really worth a fortune!
The psalmist does not need a costly antique or a lottery ticket. He already has a treasure. For him, the law of God—the words and teachings of the Lord—are better "than thousands of gold and silver pieces." This divine treasure is so wonderful that the psalmist says it is good for him to be afflicted so that he might learn more of God's law. The psalmist explains, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your Word" (Psalm 119:67). When his enemies told lies about him, in his despair the psalmist turned to the Lord and His Word. Instead of seeking revenge, he sought to obey the law of God.
Our Lord Jesus Christ knew what it was like to be afflicted and endure the lies of His opponents. One of His own disciples betrayed Him, and at Jesus' arrest the rest of His disciples fled. False witnesses were hired to testify against Him. He was unjustly condemned to death, yet in that condemnation our salvation was won. On the cross Jesus suffered the penalty of death that we deserved for our sins. By God's grace through faith in Jesus, we receive forgiveness and eternal life. Affliction was good for the psalmist and the affliction of our Lord is good for us. The Son of God "learned obedience through what He suffered. And being made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" (Hebrews 5:8b-9).
To obey the Lord, to trust in His Word, is better than thousands of gold and silver pieces. We grow in obedience and trust through suffering as, enduring affliction, we come to know the power and love of God. His grace is always sufficient for us and in the weakness that we experience in our lives His mighty power is at work (see 2 Corinthians 12:9).
God invites us to satisfy ourselves with the rich treasure of His Word: "Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to Me; hear, that your soul may live" (Isaiah 55:2-3a). Even though we might like to have just a few of those gold and silver pieces, we already have a greater treasure.
WE PRAY: Lord, Your holy Word is my treasure, better than gold and silver! Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
1. Lottery winnings these days are worth ridiculous sums of money. How do you think you would handle such a financial windfall?
2. How is God sufficient for anything that life throws our way—good or bad?
3. How does God's Word protect us against an insatiable thirst for riches?
Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 101, 103, 108 John 15
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