The Value of God’s Word

How valuable is God’s word to you? To some it is not worth a dime. Some “Christians” give as if they think a meal at the restaurant is more valuable. Some attend as if they think that ballgames have more to offer. When brethren think that Doctors who administer physical cures are more valuable than teachers and preachers who administer spiritual cures, then something has gotten severely out of focus.

Even in the days of the inferior Old Testament, the following viewpoints were held regarding the value of the word of God. As we read these statements, we need to ask ourselves if we see it that way, and more so, under the superior New Testament of Jesus Christ?

Ps 119:14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. 72 The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver. 123 My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation And Your righteous word. 127 Therefore I love Your commandments More than gold, yes, than fine gold! 162 I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure. NKJV

Can we honestly identify with these thoughts and sentiments? Have we truly found the “treasure hidden in the field” if we have not come to feel the same way toward the word of God?

Why is God’s Word So Valuable?

A. It Has The Power to Awaken Our Consciences and Save Our Souls

Ps 119:9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. NKJV

What hope can we have for our children and grandchildren if we are not pointing them to the only real difference-maker for their character in a world that swallows up the young people into all kinds of vices? Are we seriously concerned about how to help them cleanse their way? Only the word of God planted in their hearts can help them in this dark world of sinful influences.

Ps 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction, For Your word has given me life.NKJV

Who is going to need comfort in affliction? We all are going to need this in our hearts. Even with the lesser light of the Old Testament the word of God had given life and comfort to afflicted people. They found salvation from sinful ways and affliction in God’s word. The New Testament speaks of the power of the gospel, the message of the cross as having saving power ( Heb.4:12; James 1:21; 1 Cor.1:21; 1 Tim.4:16). The soul was more valuable that the flesh and eternity was greater than earth-time in the flesh. Only the word of God could awaken the sleeping conscience to its higher purpose for living. Yet, many do not seem to want to invest in the time and effort to let the gospel do its work in the heart. We want things to be better for our children, but the external things are not what they need. They need the saving power of the word of God in their hearts and it will not happen without diligent effort.

B. It Has the Directions to Guide the Heart

Ps 119:5 Oh, that my ways were directed To keep Your statutes! 11Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. 36-37 Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness. 37 Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,And revive me in Your way.* 66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe Your commandments. 98-99 You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. 104-105 Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. 130 The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. 133 Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me.

In a world that has lost its way, it is valuable to be able to know what to avoid and to be wise enough to see past the glitter of temporal appeals to the flesh, and know how to avoid the traps and snares that others get entangled in to their utter misery. It is so valuable to give wisdom to our children through God’s word. The world will not give them wisdom and direction. The word of God is powerful enough to give them guidance.

C. It Has Goals to Challenge the Weak

Ps 119:59-60 I thought about my ways,And turned my feet to Your testimonies. 60 I made haste, and did not delayTo keep Your commandments. NKJV

What else is going to challenge us to think about our ways and challenge us to reach higher? The word of God teaches us to grow spiritually and develop in beautiful ways (2 Pet.1:5-10), to press toward a high goal, to achieve our best potential and productivity. It challenges the weak not to be content with inferior quality in faith, hope, and love. It challenges the weak to become strong. The world is not going to bring out the best in us or our children. The word of God will give us goals and measurements of growth inside regardless of the world outside ourselves.

D. It Has the Promises to Excite the Hopeless

Ps 119:28 My soul melts from heaviness;Strengthen me according to Your word. NKJV

There is so much to weigh us down in this world. Have you ever felt your soul just melt with heaviness? What can excite a heavy heart and strengthen it? The writer found a place to return again and again when his heart was heavy unto despair. The New Testament even has “better promises” (Heb.8:6). The lowly, depressed, and hopeless can find “exceeding great and precious promises” (2 Pet.1:4) in the word of God. How valuable is that for you and the people you love?

E. It Has the Abundance to Satisfy the Hungry Heart

Ps 119:129 Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul keeps them. 131 I opened my mouth and panted, For I longed for Your commandments. 140 Your word is very pure; Therefore Your servant loves it. 143 Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, Yet Your commandments are my delights. 161-162 Princes persecute me without a cause, But my heart stands in awe of Your word. 162 I rejoice at Your word As one who finds great treasure. 165 Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble. 72 The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.

Listen to how satisfied these writers were under the Old Testament. Would it not be even far more so to us with the blessedness of the kingdom of God in us, having tasted the heavenly gift and the powers of the age to come, and having tasted that the Lord is good. How do we know but what we can give our children these very sentiments when they hear it and grow to understand it and appreciate it? “Great peace”! Don’t we want them to have it to the fullest? Something better than thousands of coins of gold and silver! Don’t we want to have it and give it to them as well? Jesus promised that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness would be filled or very satisfied within. How valuable is that?

Conclusion

Hopefully you have already discovered how valuable the word of God is, and you can already understand exactly why these writers felt this way about the word of God. But, if you have not, you are missing out on life. Real life! Eternal life! You are missing out on the best way to live out your remaining days in the flesh. We must know the word of God in these ways. We must get involved in serious Bible study. We must find the treasures hidden in the field. Then you will be willing to give up everything you think you own for that treasure. These writers knew what they were talking about. Do we know what they were talking about? Do you understand how valuable the word of God is? Only by gladly receiving his words can you save yourself from this perverse generation. Save yourself and those who hear you and come under your influence.

By Terry W. Benton February 28,2009

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