We all would like to have an advantage, an edge, a leg up. Did you ever think about God’s word as that advantage? It is, and the reading today talks about it — and more.

Your commandments make me wiser (Psalm 119:98-100) — Bible believers are often looked down upon as being a little backward, ignorant, and behind the times. But honestly nothing could be further from the truth. God’s word is truth, the essence of truth, the eternal truth. It never goes out of date, although it seems to often go out of fashion. And truth puts us who read, understand, and live the truth ahead of the curve. Ahead of enemies, who think that oppression, revenge, and hate are wisdom; because the Bible has given us us the know-how to deal rightly and well with those who hate us. Ahead of teachers (no matter how many PhDs. they might have), with all the latest knowledge; because God’s word gives the discernment of what is really right and wrong. Ahead of even those with lots of experience (the aged), because God’s experience and wisdom is greater. And it doesn’t end there; the bottom line is that God’s truth is superior to any worldly wisdom or education or science. In Colossians Paul encourages the brethren there to share his letter with the church in Laodicea “that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2, 3, NAS95.

Light for the journey (Psalm 119:105) — We all know what it’s like to walk in the dark, especially when you don’t know where you are. It’s a good way to stump your toe and stumble, and probably fall into who knows what. Walking into the future is sort of walking into the dark isn’t it? You never know what’s around the next corner, what temptation may jump and bite us, what tragedy might befall us or someone we love, what trial might be hiding in the shadows. Not that God’s word allows a light into the future, but it does give us light enough, wisdom enough, to not stump our toes, stumble, and fall. Although we sometimes think we’d like a crystal ball for the future, what God gives to us in His word is better, much better; truly a lamp unto our feet and light to our path.

Hating double-mindedness (Psalm 119:113) — This is a Hebraism for being luke-warm or uncommitted. And this verse is a call for commitment, and it makes lots of sense. Either God’s word, the truth, and the eternity that He calls us to is worth everything or it’s not — it’s not sort of worth it. The question and challenge to believers is to keep zeal and love burning bright. Perhaps that starts with hating double-mindedness, half-in-the-world-ness. Do you hate it or feel sort of ambivalent toward it?

See you tomorrow, Lord willing.