Psalm 119: 103-104
If we are going to observe the behavior of man in the entire history, including the biblical times, we can conclude that human beings are inclined to choose the wrong path that leads to sin. In fact, the wrong choice of Adam and Eve caused every man to be separated from God. Right after that fall, man’s choice of the wrong path over the right one gets worst, and as a result, man experienced a lot of problems and catastrophes throughout history. Adam and Eve’s fall was followed by wrong choices one after another by the succeeding generation. The present age, as well as the future ones, will continue to suffer as a result of that fall.
Wrong choices sometimes do not only have painful consequences but also have long term effects on the life of man. One specific example was with Abraham and Sarah. God promised that Abraham would be the father of many nations, and he will have a son later. But the problem was that it didn’t happen right away-it took some time. Because Sarah and Abraham cannot wait until God fulfilled His promise, they chose to go ahead of God. Sarah gave her concubine Hagar to Abraham to have a son. The result was Ishmael. Who is he? You might say the son of Abraham from Hagar. Yes, he is. Many of us are unaware that what the world is suffering (terrorism) is the result of what Ishmael had become. He is linked to the Arab or Muslim nations (See reference). See the effect of wrong choices? We can cite a lot of examples from the Bible about men and women of God who made wrong choices, and their lives ended in misery. And that is still true in our present generation. But our focus today is how we can stay away from wrong choices. The meditation passage today in Psalms 119: 103-104 has insights regarding this matter.
How sweet are your words to my taste! Yes sweeter than honey to my mouth
From your precepts, I gain understanding; therefore, I hate every false ways.
For us to be able to choose the right path, we need to develop hatred towards wrong ways that lead to sin. But hatred towards wrong paths wouldn’t be easy because, like what I’ve said from the start, man is inclined to choose the wrong one. What should we do?
First, we should start with what we should love – the Word of God. The psalmist said in v. 103, “How sweet are your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth.” What would happen if the word is sweet to our taste? If that is the case, then we will have an interest in reading the word of God. Not only passive reading but reading with excitement and anticipation of knowing more of our God. As a result of our study and being exposed to the word of God, it would lead us to the second step in developing hatred towards the wrong path.
Second, we should gain an understanding of the Word of God. The psalmist said, “from your precepts, I gain understanding,” As a result of being exposed to the word of God, there’s a lot of things that could take place. First, we will know God deeply as far as His character is concerned. We will know that God is loving, caring, merciful, forgiving, and protects His people. We will know that our God provides for the needs of His people physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Second, we will also know what God hates and what He demands from us. God hates disobedience, idolatry, and immorality. In other words, we will see the will of God. It is His will for us to know Him and His ways. As we know His ways, we will know His will for us to live in obedience in all of His instructions for us. You see, the word of God gives us understanding and wisdom as well to put them into proper perspective. Now that we have gain understanding, we are ready for the goal – hating the wrong path.
Third, we must choose to hate the wrong path. In verse 104b, the psalmist said, “therefore I hate every false way. This phrase should be the result of gaining understanding from the Word of God. We will know for sure what the right path from the wrong one is. 2 Timothy 3:16, says, “All scriptures are inspired by God, and it is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. So that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for good works.” Or we can say it equips us to choose the right path. The Word of God has something to say about our choices and for sure will lead us to the right way not the wrong one. Let us take this advice regarding the Bible from an unknown individual;
Study it carefully, think of it prayerfully
Till in your heart, its precepts dwell
Slight not its history, ponder its mystery
No one can ever prize it too fondly or well – unknown
May the Word of God dwell in us richly!
References:
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/8251-ishmael
