Introduction: More Than Information
We live in what people call the "Information Age." We have more data at our fingertips than any generation in human history. We can search for any fact in seconds. But as we look at the world around us—and sometimes even at our own lives—we have to admit: we are drowning in information, but we are starving for wisdom.
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad. In the spiritual life, knowledge is knowing what the Bible says; wisdom is knowing how to live it out in the streets of Manila.
In this section of Psalm 119, the psalmist shares the secret of his life. He isn't just a student of the Word; he is a lover of the Word. He shows us that when we soak our lives in God’s truth, we gain a wisdom that the world cannot offer.
I. The Source of Wisdom: A Meditative Love (vv. 97–99)
The psalmist begins with an exclamation of passion. He doesn't say, "I read the law," but "O how I love thy law!"
A. The Heart of the Matter
In verse 97, he says, "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." This is the key. You don't meditate on things you hate; you meditate on what you love. Meditation isn't emptying your mind; it's filling your mind with God’s truth and "chewing" on it throughout the day. Like a tea bag steeping in hot water, meditation allows the flavor of the Word to seep into every part of our day.
B. Superior to Human Teachers
The psalmist makes a bold claim. He says God’s Word has made him "wiser than mine enemies" (v. 98) and gives him "more understanding than all my teachers" (v. 99). This isn't arrogance; it's a statement about the source. Human teachers and even enemies have limited, earthly perspectives. But when you study the Word, you are learning from the Mind of the Creator. You are tapping into an eternal perspective that makes you sharper and more discerning than those who rely only on human intellect.
II. The Fruit of Wisdom: A Protected Path (vv. 100–102)
Wisdom is not just for the head; it is for the feet. It changes how we walk.
A. Wisdom Through Obedience
Verse 100 says, "I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts." Notice the link between understanding and keeping. In the Kingdom of God, we don't get more light until we walk in the light we already have. We don't understand more by just reading more; we understand more by obeying more.
B. Guarding the Steps
Because the psalmist loves the Word, he makes a deliberate choice in verse 101: "I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word." Wisdom gives us the "brakes" we need. It tells us which paths lead to life and which lead to a cliff. The Word of God doesn't just show us where to go; it warns us where not to go.
C. God as the Personal Instructor
Verse 102 gives us the "why" behind his consistency: "I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me." When you realize that the Holy Spirit is your personal teacher, the Word becomes intimate. It's not just a book of rules; it’s a letter from your Father. You don't want to depart from it because you don't want to depart from Him.
III. The Taste of Wisdom: A Transformed Appetite (vv. 103–104)
Finally, the psalmist talks about his "spiritual palate."
A. Sweeter Than Honey
"How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (v. 103). For people in the ancient world, honey was the pinnacle of sweetness. The psalmist is saying that God's truth brings a satisfaction and a joy that is more "delicious" than the best things the world has to offer. When you find the Word sweet, the "candy" of the world starts to lose its appeal.
B. A Holy Hatred
The section ends with a powerful contrast in verse 104: "Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way." As your love for the truth grows, your hatred for what is false, deceptive, and sinful must also grow. You cannot love the light without hating the darkness. Wisdom doesn't just make us "nice"; it makes us discerning and firm against what is wrong.
Conclusion: Check Your Appetite
As we start this week, the question for us is: What are we soaking in? Are we soaking in the constant stream of social media, news, and human opinion? Or are we soaking in the Word? If your life feels "dry," perhaps it’s because you haven't been "steeping" in the truth.
Today, I challenge you to:
* Find a Verse: Pick one verse from this section and carry it in your mind all day tomorrow.
* Turn to Praise: Don't just read the Bible as a textbook; read it as a love letter.
* Choose the Sweetness: When you are tempted to look for satisfaction in "false ways," remind your soul that God's Word is sweeter than honey.
Let us be a people who are not just informed, but transformed.
