One of the great failures of modern church communication is how little faith in and understanding we have of the power of God's Word. The Bible is often viewed as an ancient book of ciphers, which "professional ministers" must work to make understandable through clever themes, sermon series, gimmicks and simplistic translations. The reality is that the Bible is understandable, factual, historical, readable, organized and, most of all, truthful. But those are just my adjectives--the Word itself has so many more.

We must know the Word in order to believe that it is complete and capable, in and of itself, of helping man to understand God's nature and plan, and giving him a more thorough understanding of the gospel and our responsibilities as Christ-followers. Often, I see churches flounder around with weak teaching because leaders simply won't wrap their minds and hearts up in the Word and then stand on it confidently.

Psalm 119 is known as the longest chapter in the Bible. But do you know what the Psalm is talking about? It is one of the most beautiful and passionate passages on the power, authority and rewards of God's Word. You might know a key verse, Psalm 119:105--"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Consider now, these other verses and aspects of God's Word as you read the entirety of Psalm 119:

Those who walk in the way of God's Word:

• Are blessed (Psalm 119:1)
• Are blameless (Psalm 119:1, 119:80)
• Do no unrightousness (Psalm 119:3)
• Are not ashamed (Psalm 119:4, 119:46, 119:80, 119:116)
• Give thanks (Psalm 119:7)
• Are pure (Psalm 119:9)
• Resist sin (Psalm 119:11, 119:101, 119:133)
• Rejoice in the Word (Psalm 119:14, 119:162)
• Are revived (Psalm 119:25)
• Are strengthened (Psalm 119:28)
• Walk at liberty (Psalm 119:45)
• Lift up their hands to the Word (Psalm 119:47)
• Are comforted (Psalm 119:52, 119:76)
• Stand in awe of God's Word (Psalm 119:161)
• Have great peace (Psalm 119:165)
• Do not stumble (Psalm 119:165)

God Word is:

• Ordained (Psalm 119:4)
• Settled in heaven (119:89)
• Light (Psalm 119:105, 119:130)
• Filled with wonderful things (Psalm 119:18)
• A counselor (Psalm 119:24)
• Faithful (Psalm 119:30, 119:86, 119:138)
• A comfort in our affliction (Psalm 119:50)
• A song that we sing (Psalm 119:54, 119:172)
• More valuable than gold and silver (Psalm 119:72, 119:127)
• Sweeter than honey (Psalm 119:103)
• The joy of our hearts (Psalm 119:111)
• Wonderful (Psalm 119:129)
• Is righteous and upright (Psalm 119:137-138, 119:144, 119:172)
• Pure (Psalm 119:140)
• Truth (Psalm 119:142, 119:151, 119:160)
• Everlasting (Psalm 119:152, 119:160)

Instructions to us regarding God's Word:

• Walk in the Word (Psalm 119:1, 119:3, 119:35, 119:45)
• Observe the Word (Psalm 119:2, 119:22, 119:34, 119:69, 119:115, 119:145)
• Long for the Word at all times (Psalm 119:20, 119:40, 119:82, 119:123, 119:131, 119:174)
• Obey the Word (Psalm 119:112)
• Love His commands (Psalm 119:47, 119:48, 119:97, 119:113, 119:119, 119:127, 119:140, 119:159, 119:163, 119:167)
• Meditate on the Word (Psalm 119:15, 119:23, 119:27, 119:48, 119:78, 119:97, 119:99, 119:148)
• Keep the Word (Psalm 119:5, 119:8, 119:9, 119:17, 119:44, 119:55, 119:57, 119:67, 119:106, 119:134, 119:146, 119:167-168)
• Look on the Word (Psalm 119:5)
• Give thanks for the Word (Psalm 119:7)
• Do not wander from the Word (Psalm 119:10, 119:102, 119:157)
• Treasure the Word (Psalm 119:11)
• Tell of the Word (Psalm 119:13)
• Delight in the Word (Psalm 119:16, 119:24, 119:35, 119:47. 119:70, 119:77, 119:143, 119:174)
• Do not forget the Word (Psalm 119:16, 119:52, 119:83, 119:93, 119:109, 119:141, 119:153, 119:176)
• Cling to the Word (Psalm 119:31)
• Trust in the Word (Psalm 119:42)
• Wait for the Word (Psalm 119:43, 119:74, 119:81, 119:114, 119:147)
• Believe in the Word (Psalm 119:66)
• Fear the Word (Psalm 119:120)

God uses His Word to:

• Rebuke the arrogant (Psalm 119:21)
• Revive the hearts of His followers (Psalm 119:25, 119:37, 119:40, 119:50, 119:93, 119:107, 119:149, 119:154, 119:156)
• Enlarge our hearts (Psalm 119:32)
• Teach us (Psalm 119:33, 119:171)
• Give us understanding (Psalm 119:34, 119:73, 119:104, 119:125, 119:130, 119:144, 119:169)
• Produce reverence in His followers (Psalm 119:38)
• Bring salvation (119:41)
• Cause indignation in His followers for those do not keep His Word (Psalm 119:53, 119:158)
• Deals with us according to it (Psalm 119:65)
• Teach discernment and knowledge (Psalm 119:66)
• To establish the earth and make itstand (Psalm 119:90)
• Make us wiser then our enemies (Psalm 119:98)
• Give insight (Psalm 119:99)
• Sustain us (Psalm 119:116)
• Reject those who wander from it (Psalm 119:118)
• Establish our footsteps (give us direction) (Psalm 119:133)
• Deliver us (Psalm 119:170)

The picture of the Psalmist is one who is deeply devoted to God's Word--depending on it with desperation--trusting it, clinging to it, waiting on it, believing it, looking to it, keeping it, loving it, delighting in it. What a powerful reminder that the core of our beliefs and teaching is God's Word. I wonder if we would only believe more fully that the Bible is what we say it is--and that its words are true--how that would affect our churches and leadership.

  

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About the Author. Eugene L. Mason has more than two decades of experience in ministry communications and technologies. More...