Do You Value God’s Word?

November 9, 2025

Scripture: Psalm 19:7-14

A minister was talking to a second-grade student named Barb. The minister asked her, “Do you attend Sunday School and read your Bible or have someone read it to you regularly?”

Barb, responded, “Oh, yes, sir.”

“And do you know your Bible?”

“Oh, yes, sir.”

“Could you perhaps tell me something that is in it?”

The little girl said, “I could tell you everything that is in it.”

“Great!” As the minister smiled, he said, “Do tell me, then.”

Little Barb responded, “I have my mother’s recipe for chocolate chip cookies, a picture of my family, my baby picture, and my certificate for passing the first grade.”  

Today, my hope is you will leave this place challenged and motivated to learn God’s word. In our text today, David speaks on the value of learning and knowing God’s word. So, let’s look.

Verse 7a, The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing/reviving the soul.

Divine law is perfect meaning right, spotless, and complete. It is perfect/right in the best interest, the well-being of humankind. The instructions of the Lord are the best standard to base our lives on!

The Psalmist notes that God’s word refreshes or revives the soul. It is through reading and meditating on God’s word that we learn and experience salvation, the joy of coming to know the Lord, having the Holy Spirit fill us and give us a joy, peace, and hope. The hope of eternal life in the kingdom of God.

It also gives encouragement and guidance. God’s word can nourish us in times of need. As we take his word to heart one will feel rejuvenated, ready to face the challenges of life with renewed energy and hope.

President Woodrow Wilson stated, I am sorry for men who do not read the Bible every day. I wonder why they deprive themselves of the strength and the pleasure.

Oh, how this book gives strength and hope. Years ago, when I was going through an identity crisis, school and work overload, the deaths of my-father-in-law, Kathy’s grandmother and my dad all within 6 weeks, I found myself in a state of depression. At that time, I sensed God speak to me as I read I Peter 5 particularly verses 10, 11, And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Today, I take to heart such Scripture as Romans 15:13, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

II Thessalonians 2:16, 17, May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Other times as I think or get stuck on the past, I remember Paul’s statement from Philippians 3:13, Forgetting what is behind and striving for what is ahead!

Of course, many of you have heard me say this after I fractured my shoulder over 2 years ago— “Pure joy.”  It is from James 1:2-4, Consider it pure joy whenever you face various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

The attitude we have in facing the difficulties of life is critical if we are going to have a joy, a peace in this sick, sinful, death-stinking world. As Luke 18:1 indicates either we pray, trust in the Lord, or we give up either consciously or unconsciously. We lose heart and become depressed, angry, fearful, or just run away.

God’s word can help us, refresh, and rejuvenate! His word helps as we are transformed by the renewing of our mind (Romans 12:1, 2).

Verse 7b, The testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Trustworthy means "dependable, reliable." You can count upon this word to be true. Even if you are "simple" in terms of easily lead astray or your education is limited, you can still be made wise by trusting Scripture.

This past week, I was reflecting on how God’s word has helped me become a little wiser. Let me mention 5 major areas.

1. God’s word has taught me how to be a loving, caring spouse (Ephesians 5:25-33).

1. It gave me wisdom in how to parent such as Ephesians 6:4 states, Fathers, do not provoke/exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

1. It has taught me to deal with difficult people such as II Timothy 2:24 it says, Be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

1. It has taught me to work and work hard as if serving the Lord (Proverbs 10:4, 5; Colossians 3:23,24).

1. Scripture has given me wisdom in dealing with finances. Scripture teaches to tithe to the Lord. It also teaches us to save for the future. For instance, Proverbs 13:11 states, Whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow. 40 years ago, I heard a preacher instruct to tithe 10% and save 10%. Initially, Kathy and I struggled to do that. So, we would give around 4-5% and have six dollars a week withheld from my UPS paycheck for savings. Ultimately, we got to the 10/10/80 principle—tithe 10 percent, save 10% and live on the rest. God has blessed.

Listen, the Word of God is profitable for our spiritual, emotional, relational growth. I encourage you as I Peter 2:2, 3 states, Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Verse 8, The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.

This Book is right! It instructs us about doing the right thing. If we follow what is written in this book, you will have an inner joy.

John 15:10, 11 states, If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 

Proverbs 29:6 states, Evildoers are snared by their own sin, but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.

Life is difficult, but I have learned that as I trust and obey, abide in Christ/walk in His Spirit, he gives me   inner strength, a joy, a peace!

Then the Psalmist states at the end of verse 8, The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

God’s word opens our eyes to what is right and true. It corrects our vision! Without it, we cannot have the right vision of the Lord, of ourselves, and what we are to do. The Bible will instruct, warn, correct to keep us from things that will cause us pain and problems.

Abraham Lincoln stated this about the Bible. This great book is the best gift God has given to man. But for it, we could not know right from wrong.

The Apostle Paul calls us to walk in the light as he writes in Ephesians 5:8-15 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise.

Verse 9, the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.

The word "fear means respect, honest respect for God. If you have a reverence for the Lord, seek Him first, you will have a quality of life which keeps you from wasting or defiling your life. The writer of Ecclesiastes knew this as he states in Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

The desire to please God more than anything or anyone else leads to a pure heart. It will endure forever as Matthew 5:8 states, Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

At the end of verse 9, the Psalmist states, The decrees of the Lord are firm/true, and all of them are righteous.

God’s word is firm, not wishy-washy. You can count on this book, the Bible for it is true and righteous.

As most of you know, I like to ask the question why. Why can one believe this book, the Bible, is firm true, reliable, right? Let me briefly give you several reasons.

1. Archeology supports the history of the Bible. For example, in 1993 on a broken stone was etched the words “House of David” by King Hazael of Aram-Damascus in the 9th century BCE. Over 25,000 Biblical dates and locations have been discovered and substantiated w/out one contradiction.

1. Extra-biblical evidence also supports the Bible. Ancient historians like Tacitus, Suetonius, Thallus, the Jewish historian, Josephus, and the Talmud. This includes the person, Jesus!
   
   

2. Prophecy authenticates it. The Bible offers numerous prophecies about the Messiah and his ministry, in particular there are some 60 O. T. prophecies that have been fulfilled in the person of Jesus. I encourage you to read Isaiah 53 and answer who the writer is talking about. Please realize Isaiah was written 800 years before Jesus appears. Professor Stoner stated that by using the science of probability in reference to just eight prophecies, the chances that any one person to fulfill all eight prophecies is 1 in 10 the 17th power. That is, one followed by 17 zeros.

1. Also, the evidence for the death and resurrection of Jesus is overwhelming such as an empty tomb, a body never produced, the testimony of the witnesses, the beginning of the church, and all the apostles were persecuted to death for preaching about Jesus except for John who died in exile.

1. Jesus affirmed the Old Testament and commissioned the Apostles. One of the conditions to qualify to be a part of the Bible, the canon of Scripture was to be either written by an apostle or traced back to an apostle being the source.

1. Prophecy about the end times is coming true in our present age! I encourage you to read Matthew 24 and Luke 21.

Listen, it takes greater faith not to believe in God’s special revelation climaxing in Jesus than it does to believe in Him. Jesus is the Messiah, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. If you have any doubts about God’s word, then become a truth-seeker!

Verse 10 notes the value of God’s word. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
Knowing the Lord and His word is to be desired more than gold. But why? David recognizes God’s word is more desirable than gold because gold does not satisfy. You always think you need a little more. But through Scripture we can know God and have relationship with Him and that does satisfy. The Word of God enriches and rewards those who pursue and apply it to their lives.

Verse 11, By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

The Psalmist realizes the value of God’s word. I pray you realize the value of this book, the Bible.

The Psalmist after considering God’s handiwork and his statues, looks at himself?

Scripture warns us of our sinfulness. Scripture warns us of our condemnation without God. Scripture warns us of temptations and sins. It tells us what not to do. It also tells us what we should do.

In keeping God’s word, there is great reward. There is the reward of having peace and joy in obedience. There is no guilty conscience. When your conscience is bothering you, there is no place to hide, and you are miserable. But if you have done right, then you can be at peace no matter what the circumstances.

There is reward in experiencing God’s love and the filling of His Spirit. There is the reward in having God’s power to overcome our weaknesses. There is great reward in having healthy, meaningful relationships. Of course, there is a great reward in heaven.

Please also take to heart the Lord wants the best for you! He has revealed Himself through history, through his word, to help us to live a quality, meaningful, abundant life. He has revealed Himself through special revelation so that you can stand firm in His will, to stand sure, righteously, and as effective witnesses in this sick, sinful, death stinking world!

Verse 12, Who can discern his own errors? What a question! It indicates that we are all victims of hidden failure in our lives. The Psalmist saw himself as a sinner before a Holy God. If we examine ourselves, we usually look fine. The book of Judges says that at times in that period of Israel's history every man did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 17:6; Also note: Proverbs 21;2). So many people think what he/she does is right.

Repeatedly, I have observed that most people do not recognize their own weaknesses or sinfulness! If they do, they deal with it. People can be bitter, but they don’t even see it within themselves. People can be depressed, but don’t deal with it. People can be critical but not realize it. The issues could go on! 40 years ago, God slapped me over the head as I came to realize my spiritual pride.

John Calvin stated, True wisdom consists of two things: Knowledge of God and Knowledge of oneself.

Two pastors met for breakfast. During their conversation, one of them said, "All I really want in life is for the Word of God to take up residence inside of me and form me into Christlikeness." This statement was eye opening to the other pastor. In his training the Bible was never that personal. It was trying to discern what the Bible said, not to make the next step of personal application.

Oh, how I pray God’s truth will take up residence in my life and yours. Each of us need to grow in knowledge of God and oneself. Today, the Church is sick. Emotional and spiritual immaturity runs rampant. So many professing Christians allow anger, bitterness, stubbornness, fear, pride, and the past control them. As a result, leaders are falling into immorality, conflict among people is running rampant, the love of many has grown cold (Matthew 24:12). The Church in so many ways has lost influence in our culture!

The Psalmist begins to pray as he says at the end of verse 12 and 13, Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

The Psalmist asks for forgiveness and to be delivered from evil. The Psalmist knew He needed God’s grace and power to be forgiven and to overcome. The desire to sin, to fall into temptation, to fulfill selfish desires can be a challenge. Yet, as one takes to heart God’s word and asks for the Lord for help, one can overcome!

In Matthew 4 when Jesus was tempted by the evil one, but Jesus rebuked and overcame by quoting Scripture. So also, we need to let the word of Christ to dwell in us richly (Colossians 3:16), to crucify that sinful nature and allow God’s Holy Spirit to fill us so that we can produce the fruit of the Spirit.

Then by the blood of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit, you will be blameless, innocent of great transgression!

May we also cry out for forgiveness and a desire to honor God as God in our life.

Then he closes his prayer in verse 14. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my rock, and my redeemer.

The Psalmist desires to please the Lord with his words and his attitude. Then he identifies the Lord as his Rock and Redeemer. My rock is a description of the Creator God. Redeemer has the concept God saves us from our sinfulness. The ultimate revelation of God as redeemer is in Jesus Christ. God became a human being to save us to redeem us. The word redeem means to buy back. We were slaves to sin, but God, in Christ, redeemed us by paying the ultimate price! He sacrificed His life for each of yours.

Please take to heart: the ultimate revelation of Almighty God is in Jesus Christ. He died on a cross for your sins. He rose from the dead. He offers eternal life to those who trust in Him.

Let me close with this story by Kathleen Norris in her book, Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith.

Norris and her husband were visiting a man named Arlo, a rugged, self-made man who was facing terminal cancer. During their visit, Arlo started talking about his grandfather, a sincere Christian. The grandfather gave Arlo and his bride a wedding present: an expensive leather Bible with their names printed in gold lettering. Arlo left it in the box and never opened it. But for months afterwards his grandfather kept asking if he liked the Bible. Arlo told Norris, "The wife had written a nice thank-you note, and we'd thanked him in person, but somehow he couldn't let it lie, he always had to ask about it." Finally, Arlo grew curious enough to open the Bible. "The joke was on me," Arlo said. "I finally took that Bible out of the closet and I found that granddad had placed a twenty-dollar bill at the beginning of the Book of Genesis, and at the beginning of every book … over thirteen hundred dollars in all. And he knew I'd never found it."  

Let’s watch this challenging video—The Bible