0549. 538. Love for the Book

538. Love for the Book

“O How I Love Thy Law” Psa_119:97

Spurgeon’s love for the Bible is happily illustrated in the following, found on the copy he used:

“C. H. Spurgeon, 1856.

“The lamp of my study—”The light is bright as ever, 1861.

“Oh, that mine eyes were more opened, 1864.

“Being worn to pieces, rebound 1870. The lantern mended and the light as joyous to mine eyes as ever.”

Mark the growing appreciation of the Book. In 1856 the Word was the “lamp of my study;” in 1861 his appetite is as keen as ever; in 1864 his prayer is intense for opened eyes, and in 1870 “the light as joyous as ever.” May we have a like appreciation. If we love the Word of the Lord, we shall be like the Psalmist in Psalms 119.

1. Delight in God’s commandments, “which I have loved” (Psa_119:47).

2. Lift up our hands in appeal, for we shall say, “my hands also will I lift up unto Thy commandments which I have loved” (Psa_119:48).

3. Meditate in God’s law “all the day,” and say, “O how I love Thy law” (Psa_119:97).

4. If we love God’s law, we shall turn away from our own thoughts—Psa_119:113.

5. Gold will have a subordinate place if we love God’s commandments—Psa_119:127.

6. Because God’s Word is “very pure” we shall say, “Thy servant loveth it” (Psa_119:140).

7. We shall be able to say if we love God’s Word, “Consider how I love Thy precepts” (Psa_119:159).

8. We shall turn away from the evil and keep to the good —Psa_119:163.

9. We shall enjoy “great peace” through loving God’s law—Psa_119:165.

10. As we go on keeping God’s testimonies we shall “love them exceedingly” (Psa_119:167).

By: DR. F. E. MARSH