by Joshua Goodling

Psalm 119:165 says; "Great peace have they which love thy law, and nothing shall offend them."

In this world of turmoil, uncertainty, wars and fighting, and numerous other troubles it is so refreshing to know that we can have great peace in our hearts and in our minds when we simply focus on God and His Word.

I like what the commentator Matthew Henry says about this verse:

"Here is an account of the happiness of good men, who are governed by a principle of love to the word of God, who make it their rule and are ruled by it. 2. They are easy, and have a holy serenity; none enjoy themselves more than they do: Great peace have those that love thy law, abundant satisfaction in doing their duty and pleasure in reflecting upon it. The work of righteousness is peace (Isa. 32:17), such peace as the world can neither give nor take away. They may be in great troubles without and yet enjoy great peace within, sat lucis intus—abundance of internal light. Those that love the world have great vexation, for it does not answer their expectation; those that love God’s word have great peace, for it outdoes their expectation, and in it they have sure footing. 2. They are safe, and have a holy security: Nothing shall offend them; nothing shall be a scandal, snare, or stumbling-block, to them, to entangle them either in guilt or grief. No event of providence shall be either an invincible temptation or an intolerable affliction to them, but their love to the word of God shall enable them both to hold fast their integrity and to preserve their tranquility. They will make the best of that which is, and not quarrel with any thing that God does. Nothing shall offend or hurt them, for every thing shall work for good to them, and therefore shall please them, and they shall reconcile themselves to it."

The key and central point is "they which love thy law". In other words, as David said, these are the kind of people who meditate on God's law day and night. This kind of peace does not come to those who simply read a short portion of God's Word, even if on a daily basis, and then forget about it.

The kind of peace and joy that is described here is only available to those who meditate on, memorize, and practice God's law.

When I was young, in school, in Sunday school, and in our home, we were forced to memorize and recite passages of Scripture. However it became more of "another thing I have to memorize", rather than - "I need to memorize and apply this to my life" routine.

I feel it is important to have young people memorize God's Word - but I also feel it should be an equally important part to explain the importance and the true meaning of each passage.

Today as an adult, I am going back to the memorization process. However it is not as a "chore" this time, but as a means of improving my own personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

One of my favorite verses is Joshua 1:8: "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

In order to properly grown in our lives as Christians, we MUST know God's Word. Not just read it and study it - but "KNOW" it! Only then can we face the onslaught of evil and wickedness that surrounds us, and only then can we begin to make the right kind of an impression on the world around us.