How the Bible Can Change You (Ps 119:9-16)

Regarding Psalm 119, Charles Spurgeon said, “This sacred ode is a little Bible, the Scriptures condensed, a mass of Bibline, Holy Writ rewritten in holy emotions and actions. Blessed are they who can read and understand these saintly aphorisms; they shall find golden apples in this true Hesperides [gods and goddesses of the sunset], and come to reckon that this Psalm, like the whole Scripture which it praises, it s pearl island, or, better still, a garden of sweet flowers.”

The Bible changes our nature. It is the only book that does so. But that change cannot happen on it’s own. There are 2 requirements for such a change:

Be teachable (vs. 9-12). Teachability is not so much about competence or mental capacity as it is about one’s attitude when it comes to learning. Teachability is the desire to listen, learn, and apply. It is the hunger and willingness to learn, unlearn, and relearn. People who are teachable are open to changing their opinion if there is new information, they admit when they are wrong, they ask questions (especially if they are ignorant) and they aren’t defensive when criticized. The psalmist says, “With my whole heart I have sought You.” There is a desperate tone of teachability here. The psalmist has made the Word of God a home in our heart.  He has the best thing in the best place and it will produce the best results. Why? Because He is a teachable individual. He is ready to learn; he is ready to hide God’s Word in his heart. He has the right attitude.

Show effort (vs. 13-16). What’s your attitude like when you open your Bible? Drudgery, routine-like, delight? When you wake up for that morning devotion or afternoon or evening time with God, what is your mindset? The psalmist is eager to meditate on God’s Word. Mediation is looking at a concept or passage from every angle possible, mulling it over with every possible perspective.