7 The
law of the Lord is
perfect,
refreshing
the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are
trustworthy,
making
wise the simple.
8 The precepts of
the Lord are right,
giving
joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are
radiant,
giving
light to the eyes.
9 The fear of
the Lord is pure,
enduring
forever.
The decrees of the Lord are
firm,
and
all of them are righteous.
10 They
are more precious than gold,
than
much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than
honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your
servant is warned;
in
keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern
their own errors?
Forgive
my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant
also from willful sins;
may
they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent
of great transgression.
14 May
these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be
pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. NIV
Study verses 7-9 and then
fill in the following chart:
| CHARACTERISTIC | ACTION | |
| LAW | perfect | refreshes the soul |
| STATUTES | ||
| PRECEPTS | ||
| COMMANDS | ||
| FEAR | ||
| DECREES |
Look at verse 10. How could
it ever be possible that laws would be more desirable than gold? How could they
be sweeter than honey?
Look at verses 11-12. What
practical benefits does following God’s patterns bring to a person’s life?
Look at verses 12-13. What
desire should define the approach to God’s instructions?
::::: EQUIPPING CHALLENGE :::::
Make verse 14 a prayer of
blessing for yourself. Repeat it again and again throughout the next 24 hours.