Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 13
December 21, 1961
NUMBER 33, PAGE 10-11,14c

Praise The Law Of God

Robert Jackson, Nashville, Tennessee

It would be impossible for one to read the 119th Psalm and not have more lave and praise for the law of the Lord. The Psalmist's subject is praise to the law. After a careful study it is not hard for one to see why he praised the law of God. In fact, such a study should cause us to love and praise the law of God.

I. It Is Divine

"Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord." (Ps. 119:1) It is called the law of the Lord. It was of God and not man. (Ex. 20:1)

The same is true of the New Testament. It is the law of the Lord. (Gal. 6:2) Paul said, "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." (1 Cor. 2:13) We learn from this that the words which Paul, an apostle, spake came from God and not man. Hear Paul again, "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Gal. 1:11, 13)

II. It Is True

The Psalmist tells us that the word of the Lord is true. Thy word is true from the beginning...." (Ps. 119:160) The law which they served was true for it was from God. Being from God it had to be true.

The New Testament being of God likewise is true. It would be impossible for it to be otherwise and be of God. Heb. 6:18)

The trouble with some is that they deny the word of the Lord is true. They may not say so in words but in their belief they do.

(a) it is true that God in the beginning created the heavens and the earth. (Gen. 1:1)

(b) It is true that God created man. (Gen. 1:26)

(c) It is true that one must be baptized upon his WM M order to be saved. (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38)

(d) It is true that the Lord Jesus built one church. (Mt. 16:18; Acts 20:28; Eph. 2:16; Eph. 1:22, 23)

It is true there is a place called hell in which the wicked will be tormented. (Mt. 28:10)

Praise the word of the Lord. It is of God and not after man.

To deny any of these statements, or any other in the Bible, is to deny the word of the Lord is true.

Praise the word of the Lord for it is true.

III. It Is Faithful

We read from the Psalmist that the law of the Lord is faithful. "All thy commandments are faithful." (Ps. 119: 86) God's word is dependable. He says what He means and means what He says. This has always been so.

(a) Noah prepared an Ark and tried to persuade others to get in but only eight followed the Lord's instructions. How many were saved from the flood? Just as many as God said there would be. Just as many as obeyed His will by getting into the ark. (1 Pet. 3:20)

Thus you may rest assured that God's word is still faithful. The ones who think God does not mean what he says will be in for a surprise in the day of judgment. The people who refuse to obey the will of the Lord will be damned. (Mark 16:16; Matthew 25:41) The few that obey the will of the Lord will be saved. (Matthew 7:13, 14)

Praise the word of the Lord for it is faithful.

IV. It Comforts

The Psalmist makes it very plain that comfort is in the word of the Lord. "This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me." (Psalms 119:50)

In the New Testament we read, "Wherefore comfort one another with these words." (1 Thess. 4:18)

Where can comfort be found in the time of sickness? Where is there any comfort to be found in the time of death? Only in the word of the Lord. It is by the reading of God's word we understand physical death is not the end, but it is only the beginning of a new life. (1 Thess. 4:16, 17)

How is it that we can say, "0 death, where is thy sting? 0 grave where is thy victory?" It is only by the word of the Lord that we can so speak. (1 Cor. 15:56)

Comfort from God's word can only be found by the ones who obey His will. We sorrow not as the ones which have no hope. (1 Thess. 4:13) The wicked will be punished. The ones who have persecuted God's people will receive their reward. (Rev. 20:14, 15)

Praise the word of the Lord for it comforts.

V. It Is Settled Forever

"Forever, 0 Lord, thy word is settled in heaven."

The Psalmist declares that no one can change that which God has spoken for it is settled in heaven.

Paul said, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." (Gal. 1:8) Jesus said, "Verily I say unto you. Whatsoever, ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 18:18)

It is true some try to change what God has said but when all is over it is just like he said. Man cannot change it.

(a) The Catholic Church cannot change what the Lord said in Matthew 23:9, "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." They can argue and quibble, but when they get through it still says the same. It is settled.

(b) False teachers can preach from now till the judgment that one can be saved by "faith only" but it is settled that such is not true. (James 2:24)

(c) Men can preach that the Lord is pleased when you "join the church of your choice" but such, is not so. (Matthew 15:13) If it was not planted of, the heavenly Father the Lord is not pleased with it. The only one the Father planted is the one you can read about in the word of the Lord. (Rom. 16:16; Acts 20:28)

Praise the law of the Lord far it is settled forever.