WARNING! WARNING! REWARD

Many years ago I was hired by a law firm to translate at a deposition on a law suit.  I did a lot of translating in courts so I accepted this job.  I did not realize that the deposition would take 7 hours.  The whole time that I was translating the lawyers from the other side had another translator listening to make sure that I did not make any mistakes.  It was exhausting work.  Why?   Because I trying to be as precise as possible so that the questions and answers were translated accurately. I understood that the outcome of the case might be determined by my translation.  Having experience in translating has made me even more thankful for the fact that we have several very good English translations of the Bible.  I know that when I translate something there are times when there are several good and accurate options for how something is translated.  As I look at different translations of the Bible it makes me think and compare the words and phrases. Many times it is just a word that is used differently or in a different order that catches my attention. But as I compare them, I’m thinking and praying and asking God to touch me with HIS WORD. When it comes to the poetry of the Old Testament we know it is very difficult to capture the essence of the Hebrew perfectly. That is another reason I love looking at 3-4 different translations when I am studying. Let’s look at these verses together.

Psalm 19:11-14 (NLT) They [God’s Commands] are a warning to those who hear them; there is great reward for those who obey them. [12] How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. [13] Keep me from deliberate sins! Don't let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. [14] May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Life Application Study Bible: When we think of instructions, decrees, and commandments, we might think of rules that keep us from having fun. But here we see the opposite: God's laws revive us, make us wise, bring joy to the heart, give insight, warn us, and reward us. God's laws are guidelines and lights for our path, rather than chains on our hands and feet. They point at danger to warn us, and then point at success to guide us.  

 

David tells us that God’s Word is a WARNING, to anyone who will listen, to anyone who will seek to hear what God has to say.  God’s Word exposes those sins and faults that we keep hidden away. I Love David’s prayer... “don’t let them (sins) control me.”  Am I willing to pray like David that sin would have no part in controlling my life? The last verse reminds us of what our attitude should be each day. We should pray that All the words that come out of our mouths and All the thoughts that travel around in our minds might please and honor God.  

PRAYER: Lord God, you know everything including my thoughts and my motives. Please Lord, help my thoughts to be focused on You and Your Word. Help me to be so completely captivated by Your Word that I am changed by it. May that change be so dramatic that my

words and thoughts actually reflect You accurately and completely.